1 Chronicles 13-15; John 7:1-27

The WIZARD of OZ wanted people to Fear and Respect his presence. So he hid behind a curtain and projected his image into flames. But Toto pulled the curtain back, and the mere human Wizard was  exposed. Not so with GOD.

POOR Uzzah.

The guy went from celebrating and worshiping God – to dead.

He was guiding the cart carrying the ARK of GOD – when the oxen stumbled. He tried to steady the Ark – but when he touched it – God struck him dead on the spot.

Why such a HARSH response to an innocent mistake of good intentions? Because the presence of God was unimaginably sacred.

His rule for the ARK was: No direct human contact. No exceptions.

And God’s instructions for moving the Ark were unmistakably clear:

Insert poles into the rings on the sides of the chest to carry it. The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed.

Exodus 25:14-15

What’s the point?

When it comes to WORSHIP – I don’t decide what’s important.

God does. And when it comes to specific instructions from God -

My job isn’t to be CREATIVE. My job is to be careful.

WOW.

Have a BLESSED Monday!

1 Chronicles 10-12; John 6:45-71

John 6 makes one thing clear for me:

JESUS refuses to fit into a man-sized BOX.

He wouldn’t fit into the “SUGAR-DADDY” Jesus BOX.

He wouldn’t fit into the “SHOWTIME” Jesus BOX.

And today – He makes it really clear that HE won’t fit into BOX #3: the “PREDICTABLE” Jesus BOX.

The crowds loved free bread.

They enjoyed His teaching – especially on a full stomach.

But then Jesus went “off script” – with some RADICAL teaching:

“I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you…

WHAT?

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?

John 6:53; 60-61

Jesus’ followers were much more comfortable with a safe, predictable Jesus. Then He got radical – and FORCED the issue of commitment. Many followers picked up and left. But some were strengthened in faith:

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

John 6:66-69

RADICAL Jesus. It’s part of who He is.

When He makes a Radical claim on me – how do I respond? Do I push Him away, or commit – even when I don’t fully understand Him?

One thing GRABS me from this chapter. Jesus won’t be Boxed.

He takes the Box-Cutters to Human attempts to contain Him.

He’s too BIG. I like that.

Have a GREAT Sunday!

1 Chronicles 7-9; John 6:22-44

Yesterday we discovered that the MESSAGE of John 6 – is that JESUS refuses to fit into a man-sized BOX.

Yesterday’s BOX #1 – is The “SUGAR-DADDY” Jesus.

Today’s passage describes a box many people have God in – I call it:

BOX #2: Showtime Jesus.

After feeding the 5000, Jesus sends His disciples across the Sea of Galilee, scares them to death by walking on water, and the crowds found Him the next day on the other side of the lake.

Jesus starts to teach them about faith – but they were looking for another miracle. They were trying to put Jesus into BOX #2: Showtime Jesus.

“What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?

John 6:30

I love it when God does something spectacular.

But HIS purpose is to complete my character – not just give me goose bumps. He loves me too much to let me become a spiritual “adrenaline junkie.” So there’s usually some quiet, unspectacular assignment just around the corner – not to bore me – but to help me become a faithful follower.

Join me tomorrow for BOX #3.

Have a GREAT Saturday!

1 Chronicles 4-6; John 6:1-21

Jesus refuses to fit into a man-sized BOX.

John 6 records 3 ATTEMPTS to “Box-in” Jesus.

BOX #1 – is The “SUGAR-DADDY” Jesus.

For the crowds who followed Him – Jesus was one surprise after another. He miraculously feeds 5000 of them – and they think they have Him figured out: The “SUGAR-DADDY” Jesus!

Follow Him and you get FOOD!

And it says they tried to make him their king by force –

so He ditched them.

Jesus refused to fit into their BOX.

I can do the same thing when God blesses me.

Instead of being THANKFUL and ready for what HE has next –

I can get presumptuous – and think – “FINALLY – God is gonna give me my “Happily ever-after” cushy life! The “SUGAR-DADDY” Jesus has arrived!

But HIS purpose is to complete my character – not make me comfortable. And He loves me too much to let me become selfish or presumptuous. So there’s usually some hard or painful thing just around the corner – not to beat me up – but to strengthen my character.

Join me tomorrow for BOX #2.

Have a GREAT Friday!

1 Chronicles 1-3; John 5:25-47

I spent 3 MONTHS trying to PROVE Jesus to my friend, Bob.

And after 3 months of friendly debate, Bob said:

“John, I concede that your belief in Jesus is more logical than my beliefs. I concede your position is stronger and more defensible than mine. But I’m going to keep on believing what I believe – and here’s why: I WANT to.”

Unless God’s Spirit convinces them otherwise, people simply  believe what they WANT to believe.

That’s what the Pharisees did – they customized their religion to fit their comfort and preferences. And in the face of Jesus Himself – and overwhelming evidence to the contrary,  they simply brushed the truth – and Jesus – aside.

For me – the lesson was bittersweet. My debates with Bob confirmed to me how LOGICAL God is, but I couldn’t convince my friend to believe. I’ll never argue or reason anybody into Faith. Only God’s Spirit can do that. Better share how God changed MY heart – and pray for them – and let God do the convincing.

See you Tomorrow!