The Journey Archives — Page 3 of 4

Today’s Word Is AWARE

Mon-Jun-1-2020

Thus says the Lord, who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters, “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:16,18,19)

There is a song that says, “God will make a way, where there seems to be no way.” I hope you believe that. Just like the Israelites facing the Red Sea, we often look forward and mistakenly think there is no way. We think about “former things,” about what worked and what didn’t work. We conclude that those things which worked will still work, and what didn’t work still won’t work. Not so with God.

Let us read this verse carefully, because “remembering” is an important biblical principle. Isaiah is not telling us to forget the past. The book of Deuteronomy repeats many times the need to remember God’s faithfulness in the past as we proceed forward in our faith journey into the future.

Think about how Isaiah phrases it. “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.” He is warning us against intentionally dredging up memories of failures. Because new challenges call for new approaches, and God constantly presents us with a new way forward. God knows that if we rely exclusively on what worked or didn’t work before, we can easily lose focus on him. He wants us to trust him!

Isaiah is pointing out that if our thinking excludes God’s power to do new things, then we may turn back instead of moving forward. God wants you to make it. You are his beloved. There is a difference between being “aware” of the past and being “confined” by the past. And as we are aware of former things, so must we also be aware that God is greater than former things. He has new things.

On the other side of the Red Sea, there was going to be a kingdom purpose for the people of God to fulfill. Thus, the Red Sea had to relinquish passage to those called to the Promised Land. Beyond our obstacles are purposes and dreams. Not selfish ones. Big ones. Kingdom-sized and kingdom-focused.

God will move obstacles and part waters for those who pursue his preferred future. Moses believed in the promised future land. But when driven into a trap in pursuit of that dream, what would he do? An army behind him, a great sea in front of him. Would Moses be aware of God … of his presence, his purposes, his power, his promises, his plan? Are you aware of all these things in your present moment? It’s the key phrase of this passage … “Will you not be aware …?”

So, Moses listened to God’s instruction to hold up his staff toward the obstacle, the Red Sea, thus declaring that what should not have worked … was going to work … crossing the sea without a boat or a bridge … because his thinking took God’s purpose and ability into account.

Stop looking at how things used to be, used to work. The past is behind you. The future is on the other side of that obstacle. What are you going to be most aware of … the past behind, the obstacle ahead, or God above? From your vantage point, the promise out there may not be visible. But from God’s vantage point, it is.

Now occasionally, God says to live with things as they are for now, but more than we are aware, he says to move on, trust him. And when he speaks for action, take your staff, and hold it up in defiance against the obstacle. Yes, that can be a risky, scary act of faith. But it is your signal that you are aware … aware of the past, aware of the dream, aware of the obstacles, and most of all … aware of God’s ability to do a “new thing.”

If God has a purpose in mind for you, you must not be limited by the way things have been working up until now. In your wilderness, God will make a road. In your desert, God can make a river.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

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Today’s Word Is HEAR

Wed-May-27-2020

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

When this verse says, “If anyone hears,” I conclude that not everyone hears. It implies to me that even though a voice may be speaking, something about some people causes them not to hear that voice, at least under present conditions.

For the first time in our 37-year marriage, my wife and I have a home with a swimming pool. We like it. I am now the “pool guy,” and there is always something to do. Under certain conditions, sometimes the pool pump clicks off and must be restarted. The equipment is near the end of the house where our bedroom is, and while I am getting ready in the morning, I can tell by the presence or absence of a certain sound with a certain pitch whether the pool pump is running or not. My wife can’t hear it unless I hum the pitch and she really, really concentrates, and sometimes still can’t.

On the other hand, my wife has had the sense of hearing the faint cry of one of the kids during the night while I remained asleep. There are folks who can be at a crowded occasion in a large facility, and yet when a child falls and cries out from the other side of the room, the parent of that child knows the sound of that cry.

There is something in each of us capable of hearing the voice of God. We can be preoccupied by our world, our job, our activities, whatever … such that God’s voice doesn’t get our attention. But God is calling. He hasn’t left you out or given up on you because of your present season of stress and distraction. Stop and listen. You can hear him.

During my younger years, I heard others use this passage as an evangelism and conversion tool. And I adopted that approach as well. Jesus is knocking on the hearts of unbelievers because he wants to come in and save them, take up residence.

While that is true … that Jesus wants to come into the hearts of unbelievers, that is not who this message was originally written to. It was addressed to the Church at Laodicea. Yes, Jesus is knocking on the door of a church that has stopped listening to his voice. This is the church to whom Jesus said, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation (3:15-17)

This is evidence that even though we might have been a believer for a long time, we still have spells when we are not really listening. In one sense, that is what this passage is about … the church … one full of believers who have stopped listening. Isn’t it interesting that his request was for “anyone” on the inside of that door to hear him and invite him in!! And while this is a call to the churches to become on fire again, it is also about any believer who has learned to ignore what God is saying.

I listened to a story on the radio today from a man who was sitting in a church leadership meeting when the Lord spoke to him about the extra-marital affair that he thought he was getting away with. And the voice said, “Today is the day to come clean. It is time to trade your story of infidelity for God’s story of faithfulness and forgiveness.” The next day he revealed the truth to his wife, and a new story began.

Now that’s pretty serious. And maybe your situation is, too. Or maybe your story is completely different. Maybe it’s about your church. Or perhaps you personally have wandered away from God. Listen for his voice today. God has “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) But he does want you to hear his voice. He wants to continually write and rewrite your story. He does not want you to be lukewarm. He wants you to be all in.

Wherever you are in life … stop and listen. Invite him in. Dine with him and be nourished. Be changed. Be new.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is HIGHER

Wed-May-20-2020

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Psalm 55:8-9)

The whole idea of electricity and how it works amazes me. The fact that water is going through turbines in a dam and causing a light bulb in my living room to glow is a wonder.

And how can an ant with a brain the size of a speck of dust, and whose home is 20 yards from my house, find a pinhead sized fragment of a candy bar located on the floor in the grandkids’ playroom inside my house made of thick walls, and then remember the way back to its mound?

The universe is amazing, and the Creator of the universe is not just amazing but is in fact the source of anything and everything that is amazing. I don’t have to know how electricity works to enjoy its benefits. And I don’t have to know how God works to enjoy him.

To an ant, I am beyond comprehension. And to me, God is beyond comprehension. The difference is that I can never communicate with an ant and explain who I am; whereas God has designed me in his likeness and chosen to reveal himself to me in a way that I can understand enough to know that he is good, loving, and trustworthy. Indeed, if I accept the invitation to relate to him, he renews my mind sufficiently to understand enough about him to receive his blessings.

If God has communicated through his Word that he knows me better than I know myself, and if he cares more for me than I care for myself, and if he has plenty enough ability and resources to supply my needs, and loves me and promises me to do so, then that is also more than I can fathom. But I choose to believe it and to receive it.

We cannot know all that God knows, but we can trust him and enjoy him. I have had plenty of ups and downs in life, but I must say that God has supplied my needs enough for me to cling to him above all else. But there is more depth of relationship beyond just “getting my needs met” in a physical sense.

Somewhere in our walk with God we should become so in love with the Lord, so bonded with him, so trusting, that getting our needs met is really secondary. The main thing is more about loving and being loved than about being comfortable. To be deeply in love with God who is deeply in love with us eventually makes comfort an irrelevant issue.

The amazing journey with God is higher than my thoughts. It happens through his ways which are higher than my ways. What an adventure! – To engage in something higher than I can understand! Hey … I’m all in for that! How about you?

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is FULFILLMENT

Thu-May-14-2020

“Making money can give you a sense of achievement but only Making a Difference will give you a sense of Fulfillment.” – RVM from India

Ron Hutchcraft, a well-known speaker and author, shared that as he was raising his children, he would send them off to school with these words: “Go MAD!” They knew that those letters stood for “Make A Difference,” and they did just that, touching the lives of other kids at school in a positive way.

One theory of personality proposes that there are three basic human needs: Acceptance, Security, and Significance. I think there are folks who feel increasingly restless, empty, or unfulfilled the further along life goes because they have been spending most of their time and energy worrying about and concentrating on acceptance and security. But as the above quote proposes, this may help with one’s sense of achievement, but it does not necessarily provide that sense of fulfillment and significance that we all need.

Instead of struggling mightily with any lack of acceptance that we feel, we should settle it by affirming the truth that God does accept us fully, and the death and resurrection of Christ is sufficient evidence for that. There is a great sense of peace in this. I remember personally embracing this earlier in my life – I am accepted. Any rejection I have experienced since then, I have been confident in dismissing it as having no power over me.

As for the second need – that of feeling safe and secure – there is plenty of evidence from God through Scripture that he is watching over me. Psalm 121 (see below) assures me that he is “keeping me” and “preserving me.” This has caused me to conclude that there is no mistake I can make that leaves me unprotected. There is only one fatal mistake in life – that of rejecting Christ as Savior. Nothing else I could possibly do would leave me vulnerable. There will be consequences from mistakes and sins, but they are all forgivable, and based on Romans 8:28, they become part of the pattern of my life that works for my good and becomes part of who I am. What’s the worst that could happen – well, I could die – but then I would go to heaven – and that’s good. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Moving on – if I am settled that I am accepted and secure, then my other need is to be significant in some way. I want my life to mean something. This is my destiny, my purpose, the great joy of life – that I could make a difference in this world – to someone, to many, who knows how many or in what way?

Do you have it settled that you are fully accepted and secure in Christ? Then you can concentrate on the need for significance. Ask yourself, “With whom am I making a difference?” And before you answer that, remember that the Holy Spirit is our guide in how we do this. After all, sometimes the manner in which we help others is not necessarily healthy – meaning not toward a godly purpose. Sometimes we are not helping, but enabling, such as pacifying others without leading them toward the Lord. If we checked with God first and told him how we propose to help in a certain situation, he might reply, “Now why would you want to do that!!” Better to ask the Holy Spirit up front for guidance on whom to help and in what way.

This is the path to fulfillment – being guided and used of God to touch the lives of others. The call today is for action to use our lives making a difference. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) Then, when we pray, we may share our joy with the Lord over what we have done – and he would answer back, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

A good way to start the day – I am going to “Go M-A-D!” – Make-A-Difference!

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Psalm 121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

Today’s Word Is MARGIN

Wed-May-13-2020

“Margin is the remedy for people who’ve run out of time, energy, confidence, and courage.” – Tim Kimmel

When you type a document, you have “margins,” because you don’t want to push the text all the way to the edges of the paper. So why do we push ourselves to the edges of our limits? Dr. Richard Swenson wrote a great book entitled Margin to address this issue. One good excuse not to read it would be to say, “I don’t have any free time to read a book that would teach me the importance of free time!”

Here’s a biblical example of the principle … Exodus 18:13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.”

Was the work Moses was doing important? Absolutely! But we can’t do everything! The issue here is not just about resting and Sabbath, it is about overextending ourselves to the point where we live without breathing room. And why do we need some excess space? Because it is in that space that we interact freely with God.

Do you get your work done with time to spare? Do you take time to sit and relax? Do you have unfulfilled dreams waiting while you busy yourself with things that rob you of other things God wants you to enjoy? Do you ignore people because you have too much to do?

Luke 10:38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Our fast-paced world drives us toward overload. And often there are so many things available to us that we can’t resist saying “yes” to more than we can handle. Very often we need to say “no” to something good, so that we can say “yes” to something excellent. This helps to create the “margin” we need for spiritual, emotional, and physical health.

By the way … It sounds like I have this under control in my life … I don’t … It has been one of my greatest struggles … so this devotional thought is also a confession. I need better balance in my life. And I need God’s help with that every day.

Margin is the space between our load and our limits and is related to our reserves and resilience. It is a buffer, a leeway, a gap; the place we go to let God refresh us, to heal, to reflect, to recharge, to focus on the things that matter most. Creating margin for ourselves is a good thing.

Receive a breeze of freshness today,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is DISCOURAGED

Tue-Apr-28-2020

“Disappointment is inevitable, but discouragement is a choice.” – Dr. Charles Stanley

We have every reason to be disappointed sometimes, as we are human, and disappointment is a natural emotion. But we do not have to let disappointment become discouragement, because faith in God makes discouragement avoidable. Do you believe the Scripture and the promises of God? Then you have a constant source of encouragement from the Holy Spirit, plus more from others who care about you.

The French word for “heart” is “couer,” and this relates directly to the words encourage and discourage.

Encouragement … means having “heart” put into you.

Discouragement … means having “heart” taken out of you.

In the Kingdom of God, no outside force can overpower the Spirit of God that is within you and remove all the “heart” from you. Your heart is Spirit-filled to be motivated and empowered.

But … we do get discouraged sometimes, so why is that? It starts with being disappointed, and that is natural and happens to everyone. But then … we have a choice … am I going to focus on the problem and “allow” (give my permission) for this disappointment to take some “heart” out of me … or will I lean into God and let him put more “heart” into me?

You will overcome a great hindrance to your faith and growth if you will accept the fact that … as Charles Stanley points out … discouragement is a choice. We see the obstacles and get scared, rather than seeing God and taking courage.

As Americans we have been somewhat conditioned to think that we can’t help being the way we are. If you think about it, this is equivalent to giving up control of ourselves and letting the world and circumstances turn us into what they want to. Yes, we have basic personality characteristics which remain with us throughout life. But the truth is that regardless of what we are like today, we can change by submitting ourselves to God and allowing him to transform us. God does his part and we do ours.

We can undergo this transformation by not choosing discouragement at times of disappointment. Jesus endured far greater disappointment and suffering than we ever could. So, think of him, as the Scripture says …

“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” (Hebrews 12:3)

In times of disappointment we can catch ourselves and make a declaration … “I may be disappointed by what has happened, but I will not get discouraged, because my God is bigger than my problems.”

Look around. Sometimes you can see the discouragement in someone’s eyes or body language, hear it in their tone of voice, or sense it in their attitude or conversation. My tendency earlier in life was to think that the way to help them was to solve their problem so the disappointment goes away, and the discouragement is avoided. But if we are always fixing the problem, they are not learning how to keep disappointment from becoming discouragement. They are learning that God is not the solution, the “fix” is the solution.

This is not to say that I should never help anyone. But I do have a responsibility to ask myself, “Am I pointing people toward Christ or toward me?” Is there someone who needs your encouragement today? Take the time. Put some “heart” into them.

Have a blessed day!

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word is BLAME

Mon-Apr-27-2020

I have ministered to many, many people who are looking for someone or something to blame for the difficulties they are going through. We often want to tell this person the wonderful verse from Jeremiah 29:11 that says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Many people know this verse and are encouraged by it. It sounds like it is especially addressed to someone who is not prospering or has been harmed, or perhaps someone who feels like the future holds no hope. By this verse we are reminded that God is not the one who is the perpetrator of the terrible things that happen in our lives. I am thankful that I did not grow up blaming God for things, but some people have developed the tendency to accuse him of doing them harm. These are the ones who resent this verse. It seems to them to be a false promise.

Perhaps they feel as though they have been lied to. They do not see prosperity or a hopeful future. Rather, based on their terrible lot in life, they have become weary of relying on hope, and now would rather get a secondary satisfaction out of finding someone to blame.

If you are one of those, I suspect it is because you may have had more than your share of difficulties, tragedies, and abusive or harmful circumstances. It seems unfair and maybe you direct the blame toward God simply because you can’t think of anyone else to take it out on. After all, he’s the great “fixer,” isn’t he?

The path to overcoming this resentment involves reinterpreting our expectations of what life is meant to be like. We must admit that no person will escape difficulty at some time. And at those points, would we be willing to let someone comfort us, even though they do not fix the problem? If we cannot release our problem in exchange for warmth and acceptance, this is an admission that all of life is about “me” and essentially a declaration that I cannot be satisfied, since life will never go perfectly for me or anyone. I am thus waiting for the impossible.

Jeremiah 29:11 is not about a formula for success by which we become happy when good things finally start to happen. It is more about a relationship with a loving God who meets us in the middle of the ups and downs of life and walks us through them. The hope and the future of which God speaks is that of being loved and accepted. This is hope … that I will make it. I don’t have to know “how” I will make it, but only that God will never forsake or abandon me. At those times when we may feel disappointed or even abandoned, the Scripture says this,

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

This is describing the Captivity of the Jews in Babylon. The great truth is that God heard their cry and came to them. No nation, no evil, no bad thing can keep us in its grasp forever when we belong to God. We keep seeking him “with all our heart.” Notice that the promise to restore their “fortune” is not so much about wealth, but rather he said we would “bring them back” to their original place with God.

Did God put you in the places of difficulty or “captivity”? So it seems, by this Scripture. But remember, the Old Testament is a story of learning what God is like, and we learn by experience. Would reading an explanation of restoration teach us well enough? Not for me. It is by being in the place of captivity, feeling the despair, longing for being home and at rest that I learn by experiencing, internalizing, and claiming the beauty and victory of restoration and peace.

This is God’s plan for a hope and a future, that he goes with us into our wildernesses, allows our pain and struggle to teach us, and then restores that which was lost.

I cannot blame God for letting me learn the hard way. And I thank him that the great gift of his presence is my hope and my future.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is IMITATION

Thu-Apr-23-2020

“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1^st Thessalonians 1:6-7)

The tough things that you go through are often made easier by observing someone else who has handled such a situation very well. It causes us to think, “If they can do it, I can do it.”

The new converts in the city of Thessalonica must have liked how the Apostle Paul handled life. He was passionate about what he was doing, and seemed to have an extra portion of emotional, physical, and spiritual energy. To observe such a person is very inspiring. “Whatever potion he is taking, I want some!” Of course, that potion was the love of God so deeply infused into Paul’s being that he was confident in who he was and what he wanted to do for the Lord.

When Paul commended those folks for imitating him, it wasn’t a selfish moment of bragging, he was rather explaining the principle of how God passes on his gifts of love, joy, peace, and hope. And the result of imitating someone who demonstrates those fruits is that you begin to bear fruit yourself.

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. (2^nd Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Apparently, it was working because Paul said to them, “You have become a model …” It is both thrilling and humbling to think that someone would look at your life and be inspired, and to want what you have. Not the wanting of material things, but of the zest, determination, and blessed “state of being” that defines who you are, or rather who you have become.

Imitation in the manufacturing world often refers to things that are fake or cheap, not the real thing. But in the human world, imitation is a large part of how we learn. Imitation has been called a form of flattery, but its higher purpose in the spiritual realm is to be the Gospel model by which we learn to live, to be our best selves, and pass that on to others.

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)

Whom do you desire to imitate? Maybe a pastor, teacher, coach, classmate, co-worker, church member, parent, or grandparent.

And are there people who are inspired at what they see in you, and want to imitate you? I hope so.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is DOUBT

Mon-Apr-13-2020

The Disciple Thomas is a hero, and referring to him as “Doubting Thomas” seems a bit harsh to me. I would rather call him the “gung-ho disciple.” In Jewish terminology, they would say that Thomas had chutzpah (pron “hootspa”), meaning audacity. And as such, he’s not in bad company. In the Old Testament, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and King David all had chutzpa! You could say bold, brash, and determined.

In John Chapter 11, when Lazarus died and Jesus was going to go to Bethany, the other disciples hesitated, reminding Jesus that the Jews were plotting to kill him, and it would be a dangerous place to go. But not Thomas, oh no, he was ready! So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16) If Jesus wants to go face the threat of death, then me, too. I’m in! … Now, that’s chutzpah.

And it was Thomas who spoke up at the Last Supper when Jesus said he was going away. Jesus said, “And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:4-5) Don’t you think all of them wanted to ask? Not even Peter spoke up. But when Thomas said “we” don’t know, none of the others denied it. And that’s when Jesus gave him that great answer, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (v.6)

Now we fast-forward to after the resurrection, when on that Sunday later in the day, Jesus came to the disciples in the upper room where they were secluded. For whatever reason, Thomas was not there, when suddenly Jesus appeared to them, showing them his wounds and saying, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)

When they told Thomas they had seen the Lord, his chutzpah came out. But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25)

Let me encourage you, if you sometimes are experiencing doubts. It’s OK. Doubt comes in several forms, some helpful, some dangerous. I would say our goal is to eventually overcome all doubt, but it will come easy for some and hard for others, quickly for some and decades later for others. Can you be a believer and have doubts at the same time? Based on the disciples, I say yes.

Thomas wasn’t the only disciple struggling with doubt. Luke records one of Jesus’ appearances to the disciples like this, But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.” (Luke 24:37-39) More than just Thomas were struggling to understand this unbelievable turn of events.

Furthermore, at the end of Matthew, Jesus met them a final time on the mountain. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. (Matthew 28:17) So, if you struggle with doubt, you are not alone. Some of the disciples did, too. Just keep on struggling through it. By the way, every single one of the disciples were witnesses and evangelists until the end. All were executed for their beliefs except John, who was exiled to an island.

Now, wrapping up with Thomas, what do you think? Did Jesus know that Thomas was not going to be there on his first appearance to the upper room? Of course, he did. So, why didn’t Jesus just wait until they were all there, including Thomas? I don’t know that answer, but I do know that Thomas ended up with a unique blessing. Jesus returned eight days later with a personal message. Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27-28)

The important question you must answer about your times of doubt is whether you want to keep it or let it go. Thomas was up front about saying he would let it go if he could see Jesus. Thomas had chutzpah, and he was not about to be labeled as “the disciple who was absent when Jesus appeared,” or “the only disciple who didn’t get to see the resurrected Lord, because he was off doing something else.” Thomas wanted the same privilege and experience as the rest, to see his risen Lord. And Jesus appeared especially for him.

And because of what Jesus did for Thomas, this disciple with chutzpah traveled to India, 2,500 miles away. Arriving in 52 AD, he fulfilled his calling to preach the Gospel in Eastern Asia. Many modern Christians who are descended from that area of India still call themselves “St. Thomas Christians” in his honor.

Doubt doesn’t have to hold you back. Sometimes doubt is the best incubator for faith! I can personally vouch for that.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is BETRAY

Wed-Apr-8-2020

This is about Judas. But it’s not just about Judas. It’s about what he represents. Betrayal is a harsh word that we wouldn’t want to use lightly or mistakenly label someone with. Betrayal is the last step of a process that probably had what seemed to be a noble beginning or at least a harmless purpose.

It starts with the idea that “I have a better way of doing things.” And that is a pride issue. In the case of Judas, this was complicated by the fact that he thought he had Jesus’ agenda figured out. This created a license in his mind to make judgment calls about what Jesus should be doing to fulfill his purpose.

Prior to the betrayal of Jesus, there is only one Gospel narrative that involves Judas. In the text below I am going to replace the words “300 denarii” with the value of today, which would be about $54,000.

John 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for [$54,000.00] and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Judas clearly thought Jesus had made a mistake in allowing this usage of the perfume. Judas had a better idea – give it to the poor. After all, doesn’t that reflect more of what Jesus is all about? And there’s the problem. Judas did not know what Jesus’ high purpose was. And John was right … Judas did not care about the poor … he cared about having a better idea … he cared about looking good in the eyes of others … he cared about himself.

A self-centered person can easily justify their words and deeds as acceptable, and then look at you like, “Don’t you get it?” I’m sure you know people like this. Their statements and actions often leave you baffled. How did you come to such a mistaken conclusion!?

Fast-forwarding to the final week that we call Holy Week, Judas has a better idea again. I can set up a confrontation and we will find out some things, and I can make a little money in the deal. Will the Pharisees really destroy him? And will Jesus really let that happen?

You know the rest of the story. Jesus calls him out at the Last Supper. After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (John 13:21) It is Judas, and Jesus hands him some bread dipped in wine as a sign. Then after [Judas] had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” (v. 27)

Obviously, this did not all work out as Judas expected. Was he thinking Jesus would rise up and defeat the enemy and take over? Who knows? But he took the betrayal money back and went and committed suicide.

Here’s my point for today. The heart of faithfulness and belief is to trust God to set the higher purposes and guide the course of our lives, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. Our world is full of people who have ideas about how God could do things differently and better. The Israelites fleeing from Egypt couldn’t resist confronting Moses at moments when God didn’t seem to care. Moses certainly had some difficult exchanges with God, raising his own questions at times. But the difference between Moses and the people was that Moses obeyed because he trusted.

I hear this all the time … and you do, too … How could God let this happen? Why doesn’t God fix this and change that? I have also had such questions along the way. But … although I can’t identify the exact moment it happened, nevertheless, I changed. I began to trust the story God was shaping. I learned that if anything needs changing, it is me. I realized that what I don’t understand will make sense someday … if not in this life, then in heaven.

People ask why would Jesus be the only way to God? Doesn’t God love us enough to let us get to heaven in these other ways I’ve heard about? That is not faith. Faith says, “God knows why.” Faith says, “Let go and let God.” Faith says, “God’s Word is true.”

The road to betrayal starts with thinking, “I have a better idea than God does.” Don’t go down that road.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark