Kingdom Archives — Today's Word Is ...

Today’s Word Is UNSHAKEN

Wed-Jul-22-2020

I hate putting my time or money into something that ends up not being worth it. A couple of years ago my wife and I were doing some painting inside the house. We ordered this great sounding device that was supposed to make trimming a cinch. Well … upon arrival of the product, we discovered that the quality of the gadget was significantly lower than the quality of the idea. In short, it was not worth using.

Suffice it to say that whatever we invest our time and money in does not always turn out to be worth it. Teaching the lesson of unreasonable expectations to the children in the family takes patience. When my sweet mother-in-law was raising my wife and her two siblings and one of them made a request for something that was “not gonna happen” … she would chuckle and say to them, “Yea, and people in jail want out!”

There is no guarantee you will get what you want. There is always a risk that some things you purchase are a waste of money. And sometimes the places you want to go or the things you want to do are not going to work out.

There is, however, something of a spiritual nature that has a trustworthy guarantee.

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; … (Hebrews 12:28)

This “kingdom that cannot be shaken” is worth trading everything we are and all we have in order to live in it. In a world in which many people get upset at the things that don’t work like they’re supposed to, the only thing I know of that comes through 100% of the time is the grace of God poured out on us in this “kingdom that cannot be shaken.”

In all my years of adulthood, I can’t think of a single person who ever came back to me and said they were disappointed in the life of faith offered to them through Jesus Christ. This is based on those who were “all in” for the kingdom.

For those who were just trying to “fit God into their schedule,” it seemed to me that they didn’t want to be “in” this kingdom, but just visit occasionally. In that case, God is not really your king. Those folks were frequently disappointed.

I am thankful that there is a “kingdom that cannot be shaken” offered by grace to all of us, in which the warranty never runs out. I’m all in for that! And good news … living in this unshaken kingdom also means that when the events of this life try to rock my world, I can remain personally unshaken because of the unshakable foundation of this kingdom in which I dwell.

If you or someone you know is holding out looking for a sure thing to commit to, hold back no longer. And when you take the leap, you will discover that this is not just an idea, it is a Person, the Creator himself, drawing you into a deep, loving relationship that far exceeds expectations … it will produce a sense of “reverence and awe” within you.

King David was all in, saying, “I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved …” (Psalm 121:1-3a)

This seems strange to say, but I have been shaken up a few times in my life, and yet remained unshaken, because God absorbed the shaking.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is BURDENS

Wed-Jul-15-2020

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Jesus (Matthew 11:28)

Another version says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…”

The heaviest burden many people carry is the load of expectations placed on them by others. Trying to live up to an image of who others think we should be can become a weight too great to sustain.

One of the reasons people flocked to hear Jesus was because he talked more about a God who cared, than one whose heavy hand wanted to control them and punish them for not being good enough or for breaking too many rules. I wonder if a single rabbi (teacher) had ever in their lives invited them to come follow so they could rest!

But Jesus was doing just that, which essentially was an invitation to live a life of trust in the goodness of God. Those who felt hopeless, oppressed, and tired of trying and failing were intrigued by these words … “Come to me, and I will give you rest.”

Now, this was not an invitation to stop trying, nor to escape responsibility, but to receive an internal shift from dependence on the approval of others to dependence on the grace of God. Worldly living says, “I will love you if” … and then there comes the expectation.

Kingdom living (God’s Kingdom, that is), says that you are loved by your Creator and your Savior for who you are, not for what you accomplish. The first step of Kingdom living is to get rid of the baggage, the load of expectations, the fear that you might not prove to be worthy, … and in exchange receive the following reality … You are accepted because God made you and loved unconditionally because that’s who God is and what he does.

After that, there are lots of things we do to accomplish Kingdom purposes, but they are not done to prove we are acceptable, they are done out of thanks that we were “declared” to be acceptable as God’s primary gift. (We call this salvation or conversion.) We are no longer laboring and heavy laden under a load of disapproval, but rather there is rest from it.

Welcome to the Jesus life. Now, I need to complete the picture. In the beginning, I only gave you one of three verses to describe the Jesus invitation. Here’s the “rest of the story”:

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

You may notice that after Jesus offered rest, he told us to take his yoke upon us, which is the equipment placed on the shoulders of oxen and other work animals, for the purpose of carrying or pulling loads. How about that! … Invited to rest and put to work! But that’s it! Rest, work, rest, work. Not work, work, work, work.

In the Pharisees’ world, the “working” at proving ourselves to be religious and obedient was primary. In Jesus’ world, the “resting” is primary. The Sabbath is the holy day when God rested. For God, six days was “enough” to complete creation. Get it? This faith we practice has works of righteousness involved, but not to prove our worth and not to the extent that they become a burden we can’t carry. The most important day of the week is Sabbath, meaning the most important aspect of the Kingdom life is rest.

Is this making sense? Jesus invited us to turn around, to stop thinking of religious performance as the basis of life, but rather to let rest and assurance be the focus of life, with an attitude towards works of faith that sees it as a joy, not a burden, and certainly not the way to prove anything to God.

The result is rest for our souls, because the yoke (workload) is easy, and it burdens us only lightly, because it was given to us by a Savior who is both gentle and humble.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

By the way … this has been my favorite passage of Scripture for 40+ years. When I was a young pastor, I had read this passage many times, but the first time I used it as a sermon text, I began preparing and spontaneously became overwhelmed with tears at Jesus’ invitation to come to him and get rid of my burdens in exchange for his rest and a yoke that was much easier than the burdens I had been carrying for such a long time.

I say this because when we are first saved, we understand our salvation as we experienced it at that point. But later on, more revelations of the nature and glory of this new life in Christ will touch us in deeper and richer ways. This passage became my best symbolism for the illustration of salvation … to give him what I have, and in return get what he has. That’s the best bargain anyone in the world will ever get!

Today’s Word Is ASSURANCE

Fri-Jun-5-2020
It’s Humor Day!

Albert Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of each passenger. When he came to Dr. Einstein, the professor couldn’t find his ticket. He searched every pocket, his briefcase, the seat next to him. No ticket.

The conductor said, “Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.”

The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.”

Einstein looked at him and said, “Young man, I too know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going!”

I hope you know where you are going. If we believe the Scriptures, then we know that born again believers are going to heaven. Many people, Christians and not, over the years have asked me, “How can I know, how can I be sure that I am going to heaven?”

This is basic, but important. I think these three passages can most clearly describe what it means to be saved.

The first is from Jesus, who told Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) This does not describe how it happens, but rather what it is … namely, a rebirth. Just as we had a physical birth, so also, says Jesus, must we have a spiritual birth. In other words, not only must our body become alive, but also our spirit must come alive in a separate event. Thus, Jesus continued, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6) Up to the point of salvation, your spirit is dead, so to speak. So how does it come alive?

The other two verses say more about how it happens. The Apostle Paul says, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

And for the third, just to make sure we understand who does what, Paul says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) It requires God’s grace and our faith. And the fact that it is a gift indicates that God’s part is the greater part.

God offers the gift, for which Jesus Christ has already paid the price, but gifts are only put to use when the recipient stretches out their hands to receive it, this being an act of repentance, humility, and faith. When this happens, the Spirit of God enters into your spirit and your spirit comes alive! You are “born again.” The Holy Spirit of Christ is living in you and through you! I like this phrase, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

If these things you have done, then do not be embarrassed to ask the question about “how do I know I am saved and going to heaven?” You are not alone. Many Christians are not fully “at peace” until one more miracle occurs. Apparently, some believers in the New Testament had the same question.

Thus, there is one more piece. Besides having salvation, it is great to have an “assurance” of salvation, and to be at peace. And this is supplied by the Holy Spirit. So Paul wrote this to them, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:16-17) How do I know for sure? We sang as children … “How do I know, the Bible tells me so!” But also, I know because I can hear, sense, and feel the Holy Spirit whispering assurance into my heart.

Come and join with me, children of God, and give thanks that we can be sure that we are saved; we are heirs, heirs with Christ, and heaven is our home!

There is one last testimony as a verification. We will indeed suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Yes, the life of faith involves suffering and hardship, but none greater than what our Master endured. And for this is offered all his glory for us to share, both now and forever.

Have a blessed weekend, including rest, family, and worship,

Chaplain Mark

NOTE … I know that there are people who will call me exclusive when I say that Christ is the only way to God. But I didn’t create this idea. I read it in the Bible, and I believe it. As my friend Dr. Bob Sanders used to say, “Don’t look at me! I didn’t write it! I’m just the messenger!”

ANOTHER NOTE: Please don’t use this devotional to scrutinize someone else’s life trying to figure if they are in heaven or not. Only God knows. Doing so can discourage you unnecessarily. Believe for the best, and wait.

Today’s Word Is TEAM

Mon-May-18-2020

It is the opinion of many that John Wooden was the greatest men’s college basketball coach ever. At UCLA, he won 10 National Championships and had an 88 consecutive games winning streak. And many also feel that Pat Summitt, from the University of Tennessee was the greatest women’s college basketball coach ever. She had more wins (1,098) than any other women’s coach, and more than all but one (Mike Krzyzewski of Duke) of the men’s coaches. Her teams made it to the NCAA Tournament every year of her 38-year career.

And what do these two famous coaches stress? Teamwork.

***“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, you need a team.” – John Wooden, Men’s Basketball Coach, UCLA, 1948-1975***

***“Teamwork is what makes common people capable of uncommon results.” – Pat Summitt, Women’s Basketball Coach, Tennessee, 1974-2012***

Perhaps one of the most important lessons of life is how to be a team member. Many talented people fail or accomplish only at a mediocre level, because they do not know how to work on a team. For those who wonder why things don’t progress, or dreams are not achieved, consider that getting a handle on the joy, blessings, and fulfillment of working together as a team might make all the difference.

You don’t have to be a star to be on a team. I would say that all those Tennessee and UCLA players on these two coaches’ teams were far prouder to have played on a team that accomplished great things and was coached by such a legendary coach than of any degree of their own talent. These two coaches didn’t just teach them about basketball, they taught them about life!

A team player is humble enough to let others be first. A team player knows that accomplishing something together produces a greater joy than doing something by ourselves. A team player knows that when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit, amazing things can happen. And a team player doesn’t go around saying “I” accomplished something … they say “we” did.

Two takeaways …

First … If teamwork is a difficult thing for you, renew your determination to be a team player. Take the humble approach of letting others know you like working together. God will lift you up through this process.

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Jesus (Luke 14:11)

Second … If you usually do well getting along with others and operating as a team, look around at those who might not. These are not mean people. They are often interested in being a part of the team, but don’t have your smooth skills at fitting in. And they are not going to force their way in. They might be waiting for a supporter or “sponsor” … someone who will invite them in, promote them to others, help them discover their contribution and enjoy teamwork. I remember younger times when certain persons used their influence to help others accept me into the group discussion by asking me to share my thoughts. This did a lot to help me discover my worth and contribution.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Here’s a question – Are you thinking this isn’t really a “spiritual” topic today? After all, the Bible doesn’t specifically talk about God’s people practicing teamwork – or does it? It may not use the word team, but essentially this is what Paul was talking about when he described the Body of Christ. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1^st Corinthians 12:12-14)

Our culture emphasizes individuality, but in the Christian community we do not as individuals choose whether we want to be part of the Body or not. We are already “one Body” by definition. The choice we make is “am I going to refuse to be what I am made for, an indispensable member of the Body of Christ.” And no single part of the Church is more important than another. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1^st Corinthians 12:24b-26)

It is our job to help every member to feel included, to fulfill their purpose, and to honor one another. We all need God’s help – but also, God’s team needs you, and you need God’s team. There is no greatest or least among us – we are one.

Go team!

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is PROPOSAL

Holy Thursday
Thu-Apr-9-2020

I proposed to my wife on Labor Day weekend 37 years ago on a spiritual life weekend held at my grandfather’s farm in Little Creek, Virginia, while hiking in the woods. You know how it goes in our culture … you find someone you like, date awhile, fall in love, make a proposal, and if the answer is yes, you get married.

Ancient Hebrew custom was a little different … actually, a lot different. Two large families that had sons or daughters that “needed to be getting married” would discuss an arrangement. This was not arbitrary, it was well thought out, but guided mostly by the parents of the two candidates. The young man and woman were quite pleased with this arrangement and the two families were all in on the excitement. When a mutual decision had been reached to proceed with a marriage, the first step was the official proposal. The groom-to-be would go to the home of the bride-to-be to propose, and it might be local, or it could be quite a journey.

Now, before I tell how he proposed, let me add another twist that is quite different from our culture. Families stuck together … big families … extended families. When the next generation got married, they would add on a room to the “big house.” It may or may not be physically connected, but it was close by, next door, sort of like a community, with generations and cousins. In fact, for a young man to take his bride and leave both their homes and move far away would have relayed the message that they were rejecting their families and breaking ties. You see, under their conditions, they needed to all stick together to survive and build wealth.

I am writing all of this for what we call Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday), our remembrance of the Last Supper of Jesus and the disciples. Jesus taught them many things that night, which are described best in John chapters 13-17 (yes, 5 chapters of what went on during the Passover meal and their walk to the Garden of Gethsemane). We know, of course, that Jesus offered bread and wine to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) … And likewise, the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:20)

Back to the groom-to-be proposing to the bride-to-be … but keeping in mind what happened at the Last Supper. The groom enters the home of his beloved and has a meeting with her and her father. He offers to make a new covenant with her in marriage. Then, he gets out … not a ring … but a goblet and a skein of wine. He pours it and then offers it to her. If she takes it and drinks it, then she has said “yes.” Now, he goes back to his father to “prepare a place for her, so that where he is, she may be also.” (Sound familiar?)

Jesus said to the disciples on their last night, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

You and I have also been invited into this New Covenant, and by saying yes, we enter his community, his Kingdom. It is good to remember each time we participate in Holy Communion, that by receiving the bread and the cup, we once again celebrate this gift.

This Kingdom is eternal. Someday, Jesus will return to take us home. When? No one knows the day or hour, but we must be ready. Jesus told the disciples, “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32)

Why is that? Well, back to the groom and bride … when the son goes back to his father, he begins to prepare a home for his bride. How long will that take? Well, it could be weeks or months and often more. Only the father knows. The son might build something quickly and think he is ready, but the place must be to the satisfaction of the father. Dad might say, “Not good enough,” and tell him to fix this or add that. And when the father says it is ready, the groom goes to get the bride, bringing her home accompanied by her family, where there is a marriage ceremony, a great feast, and a few days of celebration.

In Scripture, the Church of true believers is called the bride of Christ. “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2) The Father will send the Son to come for us, at an hour we do not know, and take us home.

The Last Supper was an amazing evening, and we will discuss more of it in the days ahead. But for now, we know that Friday is coming, and Jesus will make a sacrifice sufficient to cover the sins of the whole world. I hope you have accepted this free gift of salvation and entered into a relationship with the Savior.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is PARADE

Fri-Apr-3-2020

I am not observing “Friday Humor Day” today or next Friday in deference to the Easter season. The next two Sundays, Palm Sunday and Easter, are the most significant of the year for us as Christians.

Now you may not be used to observing Palm Sunday or putting it up there at the top along with Easter. As Christians, we celebrate the birth of the King on Christmas. On Palm Sunday he declared it. On Easter, he proved it.

Just in case you don’t remember the details of Palm Sunday, I have placed it at the bottom, from Luke 19: 29-44. You scroll down and read it now if you need to.

After three years of Jesus’ ministry, filled with teachings and miracles, the Pharisees and other leaders were in the process of planning how to kill him. They were offended by his teachings in which he was clearly claiming to be the Messiah, the Chosen One of God. And they were losing their hold on the masses of people who followed him, common folks who found hope in him and were amazed at his miracles.

Jesus knew that the Pharisees’ opposition was a signal that the time had come to fulfill his purpose, the sacrifice of his life for the sins of the people. The approaching week was the annual celebration of the passover, a somber festival to remember their escape from bondage in Egypt. The Israelites had suffered as slaves in Egypt for 400 years, but God sent Moses to lead them out. God instructed them to sacrifice a lamb and place the blood on their doorposts, so that when the angel of death came he would “pass over” their houses and they would avoid the 10^th and final plague of the killing of the firstborn. Passover was a remembrance of this.

So, as Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem for this festival, he knew this would be the year of the ultimate Passover, with a capital P, in which the Lamb, with a capital L, would be sacrificed as an all-sufficient, one-time atonement for the past, present, and future sins of all humanity.

Before we proceed with the parade into town, take note that there are two kingdoms throughout history – the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. A Messianic Jewish teacher, whose lessons I am reading, calls them the kingdom of Empire and the kingdom of Shalom (Hebrew for peace). Empire operates by power, wealth, and control. God’s Kingdom of Shalom operates by hospitality, humility, sacrifice, love, faith, and forgiveness.

In ancient history, a conquering warrior-king, who returned to his city after victory in battle, rode on a white stallion, a symbol of power. Jesus rode into Jerusalem that Sunday on a donkey, a symbol of humility. He was teaching us: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6) As he rode along, crowds lined the roads, shouting his name as King, declaring the wonders of his miracles, and waving palm branches as a message of honor and peace and hope.

The world’s Empire power approach will never defeat the Kingdom of God. And Jesus, as the leader of the parade into Jerusalem, was proclaiming this truth. The Jewish power machine had tried to silence him. Now they were going to kill him. And he was going to allow them to do it.

The crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus, coming up in the following week, would be the proof that it is God’s Kingdom that is forever. For us, there is a choice – Shalom or Empire – God’s way or the world’s way. If you choose God’s way, you can practice humility and sacrifice and never be defeated. The world’s attempt to kill Jesus was not counting on a resurrection. And that is what we count on.

We can recall the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem when we need assurance. The people are shouting “king,” but his garment is not a royal robe; it is homespun and simple. He is not on a “warhorse,” but a beast of burden. His “court” is made up of fishermen and hated tax collectors. His “parade” is an array of common people.

Yet no pageant that ever passed through the streets of any city has so set its mark on time as this one. The triumphal entries of the Romans and all other empires have long since been forgotten or become irrelevant. But this one, with Jesus on a donkey, is known and retold in every detail, year after year, century after century.

Blessing you with peace as you follow God’s parade,

Chaplain Mark

NOTE: The Jewish teaching I referred to is called the Bema Podcast, by Marty Solomon, and is worth listening to on your favorite Podcast App.

The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, which we call Palm Sunday, from Luke 19: 29-44

As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.'” Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it, and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Today’s Word Is PACE

Wed-Apr-1-2020

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

There are persons you walk with, such as young children, who are running ahead, sometimes too far, and need to be slowed down. Others you walk with seem to be lagging behind, and you wonder why they can’t walk beside you. Whether they are running ahead or falling behind, it becomes difficult to be in conversation. It is an art to walk with someone by keeping pace with each other, sensing when the two of you need to slow down or speed up or pause.

How do you do as far as keeping pace with the Spirit of God? Do you run ahead? Do you lag behind? If so, it makes it difficult to communicate. Stay in pace with Him. This journey is a relationship with an ongoing conversation while traveling.

Our morning and evening quiet times with God are important, and it is good to be still and have fellowship with God, to reflect, learn, be nourished, renew our faith, and receive guidance. But you can also relate as you go, as companions on a journey. This is critical in our faith development, learning to walk with Him, not running ahead, not dragging behind. Keeping the pace may sometimes tax our energy when God is on the move. But sometimes, keeping the pace may mean slowing down a bit.

Let us learn to travel at God’s pace. That gives us the opportunity to see what he sees. He observes the beauty of his creation, and so should we. He hears the cries of people in need, and so should we. He is also aware of our needs on the journey. We can be so busy that we forget to care for ourselves

My wife and I attended a conference by Drs. Francis and Judith MacNutt, well known in healing prayer ministry circles. Francis said they were leading a week-long conference once, and during an afternoon where there was a long break of free time, he and his wife decided to play tennis with some old friends. One conference attendee apparently noticed this and later confronted them about playing tennis during such a serious conference with people trying to learn from them. I believe God enjoyed watching them play tennis! They knew how to keep pace with God, including those times of refreshing and renewal.

Sometimes God’s expectations seem too hard, but he doesn’t think of it that way. He will push you when he needs to. However, he is not trying to punish you, he is working his agenda. He believes in you. You are in partnership together in the Kingdom business. That means traveling at his pace – working, resting, talking, playing, and making a difference in the world – all at his pace.

Have a blessed day!

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is PERSECUTED

The Steps of Christian Maturity
Beatitude #8
Persecuted for Doing What’s Right
Thu-Feb-27-2020

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Jesus (Matthew 5:10-12) (Beatitude #8)

The 8^th Beatitude, unlike the other seven, is three verses long, because Jesus had a lot to say about what it means to be persecuted. It was the very thing that was going to end his life, being arrested, tried, convicted, and put to death for doing what was right. He knew it was coming. But it did not stop him from fulfilling God’s purpose and doing God’s will.

The night before his death, Jesus told the Disciples in the Upper Room, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you… “ (John 15:18-20b)

A reasonable expectation would be that if we do the right thing, people will appreciate it. Not always so. As the saying goes: “No good deed goes unpunished!”

The calling on your life to be a peacemaker is higher than you may think. It’s not just about solving disputes. There is a sense of “big picture” to it. You are building people. You are paving highways. You are seeking justice and mercy, spreading the love of Jesus. As you do the work of the peacemaker in your realm of influence, at some point someone is not going to like what you’re up to! You’re going to offend someone along the way! Guaranteed!

But when you get insulted, when you are not appreciated for your kindness, when you get told to “mind your own business” … there is one last step of maturity … and that has to do with how you handle being ill-treated. Jesus says to consider yourself blessed when this happens. Wow … It’s not very American to think of being persecuted as a blessing! But we must have the higher attitude of Jesus, even when people insult us, persecute us and falsely say all kinds of evil against us.

If your sense of identity and security comes directly from God, and you are reaching higher levels of maturity, then you will reach a point where the criticism really doesn’t bother you as it did in your earlier days. You will not be ruffled by it. You may almost come to expect it. In America people get offended easily, but not you. Remember, you and I are different than the world. Jesus said, ”You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world.” (John 15:19) Thus your response might even be to smile and take the criticism as an indication that Satan is upset because you are invading his territory!

Jesus is telling us as disciples that when we are doing the business of the kingdom, touching lives, making a difference … we will get insults, but must not let them shake us up. We just accept them as part of the package … we don’t get angry … nor do we try to over-analyze.

Jesus listed the issue of persecution as the last of the eight Beatitudes for a reason. He is saying that fulfilling your calling (Beatitude #7, being a peacemaker) is not the highest level of maturity. It is fulfilling your calling AND not being bothered by the criticism, not being angry or derailed when persecuted. What a peace there is when the insults don’t irritate you anymore.

Climbers know that as you scale a high mountain there is a place called the “fly line,” where annoying insects cease to exist. They can’t live or function above that elevation. May it be the same for you, as you grow forward in faith and operate at a high elevation, that you cease being irritated by opposition. Instead, you pray for those who persecute you, and you carry no anger or resentment. I suspect very few people in the church get there. But you can and should, because it is a place of peace and fulfillment.

Persecution, says Jesus, is a blessing … after all … if the enemy shows up to persecute you, it could be a clear sign that you are on the right track, doing something good, advancing the kingdom!

Keep on keeping on,

Chaplain Mark

COMMENT: The Beatitudes, like much of Scripture, have various levels of interpretations or points to make. This study is not meant to replace the things you have understood and believed about the meaning of these verses, but to add a new depth to their meaning.

NOTE: This is the last of the 8 Beatitudes. If you have not read the previous articles about each Beatitude, you should scroll further down and read previous days’ entries and catch up. This series has described the faith journey toward Christian maturity as spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

The Beatitudes … Matthew 5:2-10 (NRSV)

2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Today’s Word Is PEACEMAKER

The Steps of Christian Maturity
Beatitude #7
Peacemaking – Becoming Partners with God
Wed-Feb-26-2020

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Jesus (Matthew 5:9) (Beatitude #7)

Buckle your seatbelt. This is a biggie! This is the central Beatitude regarding fulfilling your purpose.

A peacemaker is someone who has “gone into business” with God. If you are following the steps of Christian maturity in the Beatitudes … humility, release, genuineness, ready for more, merciful, and being purified … you are now to the point where you claim your purpose, your calling.

In the old western shows, you might see a sign in town called Smith Hardware. But when Mr. Smith’s son grows up and goes into business with his dad, Mr. Smith has his sign remade so that it says Smith & Son Hardware. The father is the founder of the business, but the son speaks for him by an impartation of the father’s authority.

This is what God wants for you, to be in business together with him … the Kingdom business … the peacemaking business … the God business. You have been told that God is with you everywhere you go, and you probably thought of this as a form of comfort and protection. It certainly is that, but it is far more than that. You are God’s transporter and presence in the places he wants to go. It is God & Daughter, or God & Son, heading into any and every situation to do Kingdom business!

It’s like this … when YOU show up … that means GOD shows up. When you walk into a room, you change the atmosphere. When you show up and say, “I’m here to help” … the clear implication is “God’s here to help!” … because you are his partner in the Kingdom business.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us …” – The Apostle Paul (2^nd Corinthians 5:20a)

Let’s talk about the “peacemaking” business. First, there is a difference between a “peacemaker” and a “peacekeeper.”

A peacekeeper is interested in peace and quiet … A peacemaker is interested in peace and progress.

A peacekeeper is willing to do anything to stop the disturbance. (Such as repeatedly solving the same crying child problem by saying: “Give him a piece of candy and he’ll be quiet.” … Which ends up being a temporary solution that is creating a long-term problem of another sort.) … A peacemaker is not willing to let a disturbance detain him or her from getting to the root of the problem.

A peacekeeper looks for options to appease certain people, which often serves to unfairly punish, frustrate, or alienate others. … A peacemaker looks for an equitable long-term solution that involves sacrifice and benefits on both sides.

A peacekeeper is sometimes afraid to confront selfish or unfair people. … A peacemaker “speaks the truth in love” to all parties. (Ephesians 4:15) These solutions may seem too hard to accept for one or both of the parties in conflict. Truth can very often offend someone.

As an example, think of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (8^th chapter of John). To her accusers he said, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.” And to her, he offered forgiveness, but then added, “Go and sin no more.” He was kind and yet firm with both parties and pointed them both to their better future. It takes “guts” to do that. If you watch the TV show “Blue Bloods,” then you can see that Police Chief Frank Reagan is the peacemaker.

The role of peacemaker is not easy, but it bears the marks of integrity, truth, and godliness. Such a person is stepping into the highest levels of Christian maturity, wisdom, and respect.

AND NOW … HERE’S THE WHAMMY … Once you reach this stage of Christian maturity, you are operating at full steam in the Power of the Holy Spirit. You have overcome the fear that Satan has used to hold you back from making a difference. And being unafraid of Satan’s tactics, knowing that he is already defeated, you can say with conviction and confidence … “I USED TO HATE IT WHEN SATAN SHOWED UP, BUT NOW SATAN HATES IT WHEN I SHOW UP!”

This is not a form of self-promotion. It requires maintaining that humility you started with in Beatitude #1. And it is a declaration of your determination to accomplish Kingdom business and to give the glory to God!

You can do it!

Chaplain Mark

NOTE: If you have not read the previous articles about each Beatitude, you should scroll further down and read previous days’ entries and catch up. We are discussing the faith journey toward Christian maturity as described by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.