1 Chronicles 16-18; John 7:28-53

My Dad used to say:

“When all else fails, FOLLOW the DIRECTIONS.”

King David had been burned by carelessness.

He forgot God’s directions for transporting the Ark of God.

So he did his homework, and had the Levites carry the Ark to Jerusalem on their shoulders as Moses had commanded.

…And ALL HEAVEN broke loose.

Jerusalem rocked with the praises of God. Trumpets, Lyres, Harps, and Cymbals accompanied multitudes of singers. David himself wrote a powerful new song to celebrate God’s greatness. God came home to His city – and the city’s joy was uncontainable.

Then God spoke. He blessed David with astounding promises. He promised him victory over all his enemies. He declared that David’s throne would be established forever. He prophesied the construction of a new temple in Jerusalem, and He promised never to take His love away from David’s family. David was speechless. WOW!

So what was the key to this amazing moment?

When all else failed, David followed the directions.

David carefully followed God’s instructions with all his heart.

And God lavished uncontainable blessings on His people.

Are you ready for God to unleash His blessings on YOUR family?

Me, too!

So – when all else fails…

See you tomorrow!

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!

2 Kings 24-25; John 5:1-24

Never bring a Knife to a Gun fight.

That’s what 2 Jewish Leaders did with the Babylonians.

Zedekiah and Ishmael had heard the stories about how God fought for Israel against superior enemy forces. But they forgot one thing. The Jewish Leaders for whom God fought – were OBEDIENT to God. THEY weren’t.

So when Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon, he was captured, his family was killed, and Jerusalem was burned to the ground. And when Ishmael assassinated the Babylonian-appointed governor, all the remaining Jews were forced to flee to Egypt for fear of the Babylonians.

This morning – 2500 years have gone by – and nothing has changed. It’s still dumb to bring a knife to a gun fight. It’s still ludicrous to fight for God – and expect Him to fight for us – if we’re not obeying Him. AND – most important, God is still ready to win our battles for us – IF we are willing to do what He says.

The Prophet Ezra put it this way in2 Chronicles 16:9:

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Have a GREAT Wednesday!

2 Kings 22-23; John 4:31-54

I have a theory about people who always seem to feel “TIRED.”

I don’t think they’re tired. I think they’re discouraged.

There’s a net drain on your life when you feel you’re not making progress. You feel like you’re life is being wasted – and you’re reluctant to throw more effort into something that’s not paying off. (am I talking anybody’s language?)

On the OTHER HAND, there’s an energizing effect and a lifting of your morale when you see progress in your life – even when

you’re physically tired. Jesus described it this way to His disciples:

The disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them,  “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

John 4:31-34

Serving and sacrificing for God’s work is like that. It’s like a Jamba Juice Energy Boost. The Apostle Paul encourages us to throw ourselves into serving God – knowing that when we use our gifts for God’s Kingdom, there’s always a big payoff – whether we see it or not. He says:

“Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

1 Corinthians 15:58

When you see Spiritual progress in your life – you can’t help but experience an energizing effect and a morale boost. Feeling a little chronically tired these days? If so, ask yourself this question: How can I throw myself into God’s work this week?

Have an Awesome Tuesday!

2 Kings 19-21; John 4:1-30

Roberto Clemente was the best right fielder in baseball. But when a pop-up fell in behind first base for a double, Clemente stayed after the game and fielded the same pop-up 75 times – until he could consistently catch it for an out.

He was already the best. He knew the game.

But it was his PASSION that drove him – and set him apart from other players.

That’s what God the Father is looking for in His worshipers.

It’s not enough to know how to worship God.

God is looking for more than a mind-to-mind connection.

God wants to connect with us mind-to-mind AND  heart-to-heart.

That connection sets true worshipers apart – the same way Roberto Clemente’s passion set him apart on the baseball field.

As John said in today’s Scripture:

True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

John 4:24-24

Have a GREAT day!

2 Kings 17-18; John 3:19-36

  There is a basic difference between MOTHS and COCKROACHES.

Turn on the light, and the cockroaches scatter (hope this doesn’t describe your kitchen). Turn on the same light, and the moths can’t stay away (hope I’m not describing your closet).

 Jesus describes the same basic difference between PEOPLE in John 3:

 The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John 3:19-21

 Scientists say that cockroaches are nearly indestructible. But when it comes to my relationship to the Light (God’s truth revealed

in Jesus and the Scriptures) – I’d MUCH rather be a moth.

 Have a wonderful Sunday!