thedailyrob

The Worst of Sinners

Today's Bible Reading:
Matthew 5:33-48 , Acts 8:1-25 , Psalms 13 , Genesis 31

Are you ever tempted to skip ahead in a book to see how it ends? It would certainly change the tone of the book, wouldn't it? The conflict wouldn't be so dramatic, the sorrow and loss not quite so dark, if you knew there was a bright future ahead. I hadn't thought much about it, but I realized today that is how I read most of the Bible. I know how the story ends, and I read everything through that lens.

One of the unintended consequences of the Bible reading plan I'm going through is the pace I move through most of the stories. Because I read in four different parts of the Bible each day, each section is fairly short. As a result, I've been reading through the story of Stephen in Acts for the last three days. Normally I would plow through this whole story quickly, but I've noticed a few details this time through and I've been forced to think about others in a new way... like this guy named Saul, sitting there on the sidelines of this whole story.

I know how the story ends. I know that Saul has an encounter with God that changes his life forever, that Saul becomes Paul, the apostle, the great preacher and church planter, the guy that authored much of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I even know that Paul referred to himself later as "the worst of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15-16), but I've never really thought much about what that means.

Now I'm reading through the story of Stephen, his speech to the Sanhedrin and his stoning, and this guy Saul is standing there giving his approval to Stephen's death sentence. He must have been inspired by this stoning, though not in a good way, because Saul then starts going house to house to round up Christians and throw them in jail. I usually gloss over this part in my mind, but that's where my reading left me hanging. No Paul the preacher, just Saul the sinner.

I imagine if I were living in Jerusalem at the time, I would have been saying prayers about Saul, but not for his salvation. I probably would have been praying for deliverance from this evil man. Yet this was the man that God chose to be one of the greatest preachers of the gospel, an apostle of Jesus Christ.

I can think of several high profile people in the world today that could be described as "persecuting the church". Now imagine God so directly impacting their life that they soon begin preaching the same gospel they tried to destroy. What a powerful message of life change that would be.

I think I might starting praying for a few of these people. I won't name them here, but God knows who they are. We serve the same God today that saved Saul, the "worst of sinners", and made him a powerful witness for truth. I believe this same God can do it again today. And so I pray.

What about your journey? Have you seen people you could have never imagined coming to faith suddenly changed by the power of God? How have you been transformed by grace? I'd love to hear your story and your thoughts.

The Power Of Immediacy

Today's Bible Reading:
Matthew 5:21-32 , Acts 7:39-60 , Psalms 12 , Genesis 29-30

Those closest to me know that I am more prone to procrastination than productivity. I work hard and commit myself to deadlines because I know my own nature. If an opportunity arises, my first response is to process it mentally, map it out in my mind, and visualize the end state before getting started. My natural instinct is definitely not toward immediate action.

Reading through one of Jesus' sermons in Matthew today, I was challenged in my thinking about how I approach my work. In Matthew 5, Jesus is talking about how His ministry fulfills the law, with a discussion of murder and hate, adultery and lust. In the middle of this, He talks about reconciliation and the power of immediacy.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. - Matthew 5:23-26

I've always found it humorous imagining someone jumping up in the middle of a church service and running off to find someone to ask forgiveness. But I think the principle Jesus is talking about here is the power and importance of immediacy. If you need to be reconciled, do it now, not tomorrow. If someone is taking you to court, settle the matter before you get there.

Anyone who has lived through problems will tell you that leaving them unattended only makes matters worse. Things fester, wounds get infected, and bitterness grows with each passing day. In fact, this principle applies more to Jesus' discussion of murder and adultery that it might at first appear. If we immediately addresses issues of hate and lust in our life, then we avoid the sin and heartache of their inevitable outcomes.

As I thought about the idea of immediacy further, I realized this is a principle that is seen throughout scripture. From the guidance of the Proverbs to the examples of the disciples response to Jesus, immediacy is almost always the best response. Whether the actions demanded are distasteful or a delight, the best results will follow an immediate response.

What about your journey? Have you overcome a natural tendency to procrastinate? Have you seen the benefits of an immediate response? What advice would you give to others struggling in this area? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

The Way We Shine

Today's Bible Reading:
Matthew 5:13-20 , Acts 7:1-38 , Psalms 11 , Genesis 27-28

What comes to mind for you when someone talks about being a witness for God? Do you think about a courtroom, with a judge and jury, a prosecutor and defendant, and a gallery full of people? Do you picture people going door to door handing out literature? Or do imagine sitting down with someone over coffee asking them about their relationship with God?

I read today about being salt and light in this world, and my mind immediately went to these type of images. Even though I know there are more effective ways to reach people than door knocking, I always assume some degree of verbal communication is involved. It is interesting, however, that when Jesus talked about letting our light shine, he made reference to our works, rather than our words.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

There are two things I take from this. First, what communicates more effectively than anything we say are the things we do. Saint Francis of Assisi once said, "Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words". If we truly want to share the love of God with others, we should demonstrate God's love before we ever talk about it.

Second, the way that we serve others matters. It is amazing how easily people can see through us when we are not genuine in what we do. If we are serving reluctantly or for some sense of personal gain, it will be obvious to everyone around us. What God desires is that people will see our good deeds and praise Him. Do you care who gets the credit for the work you do? Does it matter if you or your church's name is brought up at all?

The really good news in all this is that God has already prepared good works for us to do (see Ephesians 2:10). We just have to follow His leading and give Him the glory.

What about your journey? Have you seen the hand of God at work in your life through the selfless service of others? Have you been privileged to share God's love with others through your service? I'd love to hear your stories and your thoughts.

When God Seems To Be Hiding

Today's Bible Reading:
Matthew 5:1-12 , Acts 6 , Psalms 10 , Genesis 25-26

Does it ever feel like God is ignoring you? Like maybe He's hiding among the hosts of heaven, taking a break from the troubles of this life? Do you ever feel like your prayers are falling on deaf ears, and all of your pleading amounts to nothing? You are not alone.

"Why, O Lord, do you stand so far off?
     Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
- Psalm 10:1

It is tempting to get frustrated with God when the wrong team seems to be winning. Sometimes it seems as if the righteous are left to suffer while the wicked continue without a care in the world. When the reward for following God seems to be trial after trial, it is easy to look at the world and wonder why the wicked never seem to have any troubles.

[The wicked man] boasts of the cravings of his heart;
      he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; 
      in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
 His ways are always prosperous; 
      he is haughty and your laws are far from him; 
      he sneers at all his enemies.
 He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; 
      I'll always be happy and never have trouble."
- Psalm 10:3-6

It can be difficult to trust God when everything seems upside down. But that is the essence of faith, isn't it?  "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). We trust that God is in control, and that He will hear us when we cry out to Him.

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; 
     you consider it to take it in hand...
 The LORD is King for ever and ever; 
      the nations will perish from his land.
 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; 
      you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
 defending the fatherless and the oppressed, 
      in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
- Psalm 10:14, 17-18

When I am going through hard times, I cry out to God, then cry out some more. I trust that He hears every word, and He will answer. Even when He seems to be hiding, I know God is right there beside me, ready to carry me in my time of need. I put my hope in Him, even when the way is dark, because I know I will never be disappointed.

What about your journey? Has God proven himself faithful, even when the times are hard? Have you seen evidence of answered prayer? I'd love to hear your thoughts about God's faithfulness, even in the storms of life.

Grace Days In The Schedule

When I was reviewing Bible reading plans heading into the new year, one of the things that appealed to me were plans that had "grace" days built in. Knowing that just about everyone struggles with New Year's resolutions, myself included, having some extra days in a reading plan would make it easier to stay on track. Presumably, this would also make it easier for me to blog along with the Bible reading.

What's proven more challenging than I expected is deciding what days I'm not going to read, because I really want to keep going. With up to six grace days each month, however, I also don't want to end up sitting it out for close to a week at the end of the month. So, today is the first day that I've taken a mulligan, in a sense. I figure I'll take Sundays and some Saturdays to blog primarily about other topics.

I wasn't sure what to call these extra days in the schedule at first. I thought about calling these days "breaks", since they are a break in the schedule, but that would imply that it was work to read my Bible every day. Discipleship Journal, the group that published the schedule, calls them "free days", using quotes just as I did. I ultimately landed on "grace" days because I think it implies God's patience for us. (see 2 Peter 3:9)

As I scan through the Bible reading plan for the year, it looks like there's a lot of ground to cover. Like a marathon runner, this schedule allows me to pace myself for the long haul and encourages me to stay on track. I'll take the "grace" day today, and I'll look forward to the reading tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll leave you with this thought: Even when we take the day off, God never does.

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, 
     who daily bears our burdens."
- Psalm 68:19

Finding The Right Blogging Platform

I imagine that my experience getting started in the blogosphere is fairly common. I started a blog in 2007, but my overlong posts and lack of followers meant that the effort was short lived. Another attempt on a different topic in 2008 also fizzled after a short time.  My third foray into blogging began in earnest in mid-2009 as part of my worship ministry at Discovery Community Church (DiscoveryWorship.com) and I continue to post there at least once a week. As I sit at my dining room table writing this, we are only 9 days and 9 posts into my 2010 New Year's resolution to blog every day at thedailyrob.com, but I'm cautiously optimistic about this blog.

One of the keys to a successful blog (or so I've heard) is a good blogging platform and authoring tool. In my on-again-off-again relationship with blogging, I've found most blogs use one of three platforms. Here are my thoughts on each platform, from the standpoint of a relative neophyte in the blogging world. If you are thinking about starting a blog, you might consider one of these three tools.

• Blogger. This blogging tool is where I got started. It provides a simple interface for authoring blog posts and moderating comments. There are a limited number of templates and styles that can be immediately configured for your blog, but I believe you can upload fully customized templates if you choose. You can set up a free blog at www.blogger.com, with an address of yourblog.blogspot.com.
  
  While I'm sure I didn't take advantage of the full capabilities of Blogger, my perception was that most Blogger sites looked pretty generic and were limited to a two column format. Because I wanted an easier way to configure multiple columns, I started looking for other blogging platforms that could provide more robust designs and easier configuration.
  
• TypePad. This is the blogging tool I currently use. This platform is great for managing multiple blogs, and provides a large number of blog templates that can be easily configured. You can sign up for a free blog at www.typepad.com, with an address of username.typepad.com/yourblogname, or you can use your own domain name for your blog. What I like best about TypePad is the relatively easy configurability I have within a three column blog format, as well as the ability to create and add content modules through their TypeLists functionality.  I also like that I can create both pages and posts, blurring the lines between a website and a blog.
  
  One struggle I have had with TypePad is the limited navigation menu options (without creating and editing custom scripts). There are also some configuration options I'd like to see (i.e. more prominent "Comments" buttons) that TypePad currently doesn't provide. Because of some of these frustrations, and because many of my favorite bloggers are using WordPress, I am considering moving away from TypePad.
  
• WordPress. This is the blogging tool I am currently considering. Several high profile bloggers use this platform, and I have been impressed with what appears to be the immense configurability of the blog templates. One thing I particularly like about the WordPress sites I've seen is the main navigation bar, with many of these sites boasting additional submenus available when you mouse over the menu option. This sophisticated navigation functionality further blurs the line between blog and website.
  
  What has kept me from migrating to WordPress before now is my perception that it will require more time investment to learn how to use the tool.  While Blogger and TypePad are web based tools, WordPress requires a local installation of the utility. (You can download the software for free here: www.WordPress.org). My understanding, however, is that in order to have full control over the design and functionality of my blog, WordPress is the only way to go.

If you are ready to start blogging, my best recommendation is to begin with a TypePad site. However, if you are concerned about feeling overwhelmed with the technology, then Blogger is a great choice for it's simple interface and utilities. On the other hand, if you have a lot of computer experience, particularly with web design and coding, then going straight to WordPress might be the best choice for you.

If you've had experience with any of these blogging tools, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Which platform do you use currently? What do you find most useful about it?

The Origin of Failure

Today's Bible Reading:
Matthew 4:18-25 , Acts 5:17-42 , Psalms 9 , Genesis 24

Why do ministries fail? I've really struggled to understand this question over the years because my wife and I were part of a church plant that ultimately never took off. After investing several years of our life into this church, we prayed and sought council and made the difficult decision to end our ministry there. We believe God led us to this work, and God used us to share his message and lead people to Jesus. In the light of eternity, our work was not a failure. Yet the fact remains that our work came to a disappointing end, and that is something with which we still struggle.

Here is what I have come to believe: ministries fail because of good ideas.  To be more precise, ministries fail when good ideas are not God's ideas.  It may be said that good is the enemy of great, but neither good nor great will ever succeed unless God is in it.

When Peter and John and the apostles were teaching every day in the temple courts (as recorded in Acts) and leading many people to believe in Jesus, they were brought before a council of the religious leaders and told more than once to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. When the apostles did not stop their preaching the council was very upset. In a lone voice of reason, one of the elders stood up before the group and asked them to consider carefully what they intended to do Peter and John and the others. He said, "if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5:33-38).

Following our natural instinct is the real danger here. Someone comes forward with a really "good idea" and they get people fired up about it.  Maybe they kick off a new program or outreach, and it goes well for a while.  Soon, however, stress cracks start to show up, followed by early signs of burn-out. Suddenly, this good idea turns into a source of conflict and people become disillusioned. Clearly, this is not God's plan.

Here is what Jesus promised about His work: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30). One of my favorite quotes about ministry comes from George Muller, a great man of faith in 19th century England. He said, "God's work, done in God's way, will never lack the means."

As we consider God's leading in our lives and the life of the church this year, let's commit ourselves to not chase after good ideas. Instead, let's seek the Lord and chase after God's ideas. Only then will we find true success.

What about your journey? Have you experienced the struggles of a good idea that never quite paid off? Have you observed the powerful leading of God as people pursue him alone? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

From High Regard To Irrelevance

Today's Bible Reading:
Matthew 4:12-17 , Acts 5:1-16 , Psalms 8 , Genesis 21-23

I had breakfast a few weeks ago with some guys from church. It's always great to get together and encourage each other throughout the week, but I don't think we do it nearly enough. Near the end of our time, one of the guys asked why the church of today was so different from the early church in the Bible. Why was it, he asked, that the early church met together every day and cared for each other's needs, when we are often so busy we struggle to get together every Sunday.

When I read today about the early church in Acts 5, I was reminded just how dramatic the difference was. These people defined community in ways that we often don't understand today. One thing that stuck out to me was this phrase: "No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people." How dynamic and life changing this early church must have been, so that people outside the church were afraid to even join them.

The truth is, I fear we've moved from "No one dared join them," to "No one cared to join them." So much of what we think of as "church" today are really just social programs that could be carried out by any community group. I wonder sometimes if we've lost the power that ought to be driving everything we do. And in losing track of this power, we make ourselves ineffective and irrelevant.

I believe the answer lies not in seeking Biblical community as our target, but it seeking a life changed by the power of the God who is still alive today. Only when each of us has learned to surrender our own hopes and dreams and plans to God will we begin to understand true Biblical community. Only when our lives are transformed by grace will we see the type of revival God wants to bring about.

What about your journey? Have you experienced the type of Biblical community describe in the book of Acts? What have you done to surrender yourself to God's leading as He builds His church. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

He Knows What You Want

Today's Bible Reading:
Matthew 4:1-11 , Acts 4:23-37 , Psalms 7 , Genesis 18-20

This is not what you think. You looked at the title of this post and you thought I was talking about God, didn't you? It's true, God does know what we want. He also knows what we need. But that is not what this is about.

You see, Satan also knows what you want, and he can't wait to use it against you. I read the very familiar story of Jesus' temptation again today in Matthew 4, but what caught my eye this time through was what led up to Jesus' temptation.

In Matthew 3, Jesus experienced an amazing high point in his life when he was baptized by John in the Jordan River. When Jesus came up out of the water, heaven was opened and the Spirit of God descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son whom I love. With Him I am well pleased." Rather than taking time to reflect and enjoy this event, the Bible says that Jesus was immediately led by the Spirit out into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

Before Jesus was tempted by the devil, however, he fasted for forty days and forty nights. At the end of his fast, Matthew records what may be one of the greatest understatements of all time: "After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry". Think about that for a moment. If I go one whole day without eating, I'm hungry. Really hungry. Really, really hungry, and maybe just a bit grouchy. I know your body goes through cycles during extended fasts, but I don't think I'm going out on a limb here to say that Jesus probably had a hankering for some down home cooking. Or at least some bread.

And that is exactly when Satan finally shows up to tempt Jesus. I can imagine Satan sitting back up to then, watching Jesus from the sidelines as each day passes. Satan is biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to put his plan into action. Finally, after forty days of fasting, Satan comes to Jesus with what might be considered a pretty good idea. Hungry? Why not whip up some bread?

The thing is, Jesus could see right through Satan, and He understood the test. You know the story, how it turns out in the end. Three times Satan tempted Jesus, and three times Jesus resisted the devil and responded with the scriptures. What I want to call to your attention, though, is that Satan knew exactly what Jesus wanted, and he offered it to him for a price.

When I was in college, I worked for a time cleaning academic buildings at 5:30 am. The main janitor in my building would chat with me in those dark hours about life and God and the Bible. I remember he said to me one day, "Satan is going to try to get you with the booze. And if he can't get you with the booze, he's going to try to get you with the women. And if he can't get you with the women, he's going to try to get you with money. He's gonna figure out what you want and make sure you can have it."

Paul wrote that "we are not unaware of Satan's schemes" (2 Corinthians 2:11), but I wonder sometimes if we forget. We let ourselves get worn down and weak, and in the process leave ourselves exposed to Satan's temptations. No matter how close you are to the Lord, there is always a desert just around the corner and Satan is waiting to lure you into his traps. The words of James provide a challenge for us today: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7).

What about your journey? Are you aware of times when you are weakest and most vulnerable to Satan's tempations? What have you done to avoid getting to that place? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Leave Them Speechless

Today's Bible Reading:
Matthew 3:13-17 , Acts 4:1-22 , Psalms 6 , Genesis 15-17

I love reading through the Gospels and the stories of the early church in Acts, but I sometimes wonder how I would have performed under the same circumstances. Would I have had the courage of the apostles to stand up before the ruling religious council of the day? Maybe I would have been one of the early believers, among those who were being added to the church every day. Or would I have missed out on the good news entirely because my mind was focused on other things?

Two things stood out to me today when I read about Peter and John testifying about Jesus before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4. First, the council observed that they were unschooled, ordinary men, but that their astonishing boldness came from the time they'd spent with Jesus. It makes me wonder if I'm spending enough time with Him. I doubt the disciples were trying to carve out 15 minutes in the morning for a quick Bible reading so they could get on with everything else in their day. Instead, they walked and talked with Jesus every day, all day, for three years.

Second, they trusted God to do miracles through them; in this case, they healed a man crippled from birth. What amazed me was how the healed man standing before the council with Peter and John was such compelling evidence of their message that the council was left speechless, "...there was nothing they could say." (Acts 4:14) I sometimes wonder if I'm too afraid to let God use me in miraculous ways. Life can get predictably comfortable, as long as nothing too amazing happens.

What this all comes down to is the evidence of a life changed by God. Both Peter and John, and the crippled man that was healed, were changed by God in amazing ways. I think the world is tired of hearing us talk about our faith, and they are waiting to see evidence of it. The churches that are growing are filled with people whose lives have been transformed by the grace and power of Jesus Christ. Until my life is filled with this power every day, the message of the gospel will be easy for the world to ignore.

What about your journey? In what ways have you seen God do amazing things through you or your church? How has God transformed your life? I'd love to hear your thoughts.