God is my Pilot (not the co-pilot!)

Posted on November 3, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

— Henry Neufeld

1You come out justified, YHWH, when I make a case against you, yet I will present my causes to you.
Why do the wicked prosper, and treacherous people live in peace?
2You planted them and they become well rooted. They grow and bear fruit.
They are always talking about you, But they are never thinking about you.
3But you, YHWH, know me. You see me! You test my heart’s devotion to you.
Lure them away like sheep to the slaughter. Set them apart for a day of killing!
4How long must the land mourn, And the grass in every field be withered?
Because its people are so wicked, The animals and birds have been finished off.
Because they said, “God doesn’t see where we’re going.”
5If you have run with the footmen, And they have worn you out, How can you compete with the horses? If you’re in safe country, and you fall down,
What will you do in the rough country by the Jordan River? — Jeremiah 12:1-5 (HN)

Those who actually want to be prophets ought to read a bit of Jeremiah. He has been called the weeping prophet, but I’d like to suggest “complaining prophet” as more like it. Not that he didn’t have plenty to complain about. I think if I had lived back then and received his call I might have asked God if he couldn’t just go ahead and let the Babylonians kill me. It would have been much easier.

But there are a number of interesting things about God’s friends and servants. They’re quite a varied bunch of people. You could hardly find two people more different than Jeremiah and Moses, for example. Moses can get angry, and when he does he says some things he’ll regret. But Jeremiah was always stewing. He doesn’t have those great bursts of anger. He just has a constant simmering of complaints.

When I set about to look at all the prayers of the Bible several years ago, I learned a number of interesting things. The main one was simply that just about everything I thought about prayer was off target in some way. If you think prayers should be long, you’ll find short ones in the Bible. Short? There are some long ones. Do you like signs? You’ll find some stuff that’s pretty negative about them. Negative about signs? You’ll find some of God’s servants asking for them and practically living on them. Do you think prayers should be polite? You’ll find plenty of challenging, angry prayers. Open, honest, and informal? You’ll find some that are quite formal and very polite, even flattering.

And then there’s Jeremiah, whining his way through a prophetic mission. Just look at the prayer in our scripture for today. Might I paraphrase? “Lord, you’re not actually going to listen to me, because you’re always right, but I’m going to complain anyhow. The wicked always prosper, and it’s your fault! You set them up and they prosper. Here’s what I want you to do: Have a massacre. Kill them all! Look, I know we’re in trouble because of the people’s sins, but how long is this going to last?”

Does that give you permission to complain? I would suggest it does. But many times the answer to your complaint is not going to be to make things better for you or to do things your way. Think about a coach for a runner. The athlete complains that he is tired out and doesn’t have this one more race in him. Does the coach say, “OK, I know you’re tired. Go get some rest?” Well, there are times he will, because that’s what’s necessary. But sometimes it’s going to be more like, “You’re going to let a little thing like being tired beat you? Get out there and do it, or you’re not the athlete I thought you were.”

God lets Jeremiah complain. But his answer is more like the second one. “Look, Jeremiah, you’re in the easy stuff right now. It’s like racing with guys on foot. Later, you’re going to run against horses, and what are you going to do then?”

The answer in Jeremiah’s life was that he stuck with God, and he did live through much greater difficulties. Will you voice your complaints but stick with the divine coach as well?

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God has a Plan

Posted on November 2, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

— Henry Neufeld

1Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the Prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remnant of the elders of the exile, to the priests, the prophets, and all the people who had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem to Babylon. . . . 4This is what YHWH of armies, God of Israel says to all the exiles who have been taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. 5Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat the produce. 6Take wives and give birth to sons and daughters. And take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands and let them bring forth sons and daughters. Multiply there, and don’t become smaller. 7And seek the peace of the city to which you were taken as exiles, and pray to YHWH for it, because your peace is tied up with its peace.       Jeremiah 29:1,4-7 (HN)

There is, of course, a historical meaning for this passage that is very specific. The people of Judah had been taken into exile and many were hoping it would end soon. But God had a plan for a longer period of time than they planned for. The call to return from exile would be delayed for a couple of generations.

As a side note for those interested in the way the Bible expresses things, notice that the people there are to marry, have children, see those children married, and then they have children. People try to get the “70 year” prophecy of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10) calculated to make the simple point that the generation going into exile would die completely before they would return. It would be during the third generation.

But my point here is not to look at the specifics of the exile but rather to look at God’s principles as they might apply to our own lives. While Judah is to be punished through a period of exile, they are not to diminish. They are not to stop living. They are to look forward. They are to grow.

One of our temptations as Christians is to live as very temporary exiles here on this earth. In fact, we tend to divide ourselves between those who have accommodated themselves so thoroughly to this world that you can’t tell their exiles, and those who are so exiled that they are no longer connected to their temporary home either. The expression “so heavenly, they’re of no earthly good” was invented for such people.

Whether we’re dealing with a temporary exile of our own—a separation from our calling, a separation from family, or a mission in a country that feels like “exile from exile” we need to remember the principles behind Jeremiah’s letter.

First, wherever God has placed you, he plans for you to grow and not diminish. He’s not throwing you out or trying to destroy you. He’s trying to make you better.

Second, wherever you are, there’s someone you can pray for. No matter how little you like the country, the people, the job, or whatever it is, you can pray. Praying for the peace of Babylon may sound pretty silly, but that was what God told his people to do—for a period of time.

Third, take action to move forward. Sitting back and merely enduring the hard times isn’t God’s call. Sitting back and enduring this world, while we hope for heaven is not God’s plan either. He wants us to build houses, plant vineyards, have children—in other words, to live.

We don’t know when our time of exile here on earth will end. We do know that God wants us to grow, and not get smaller.

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Choices

Posted on October 30, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

– Henry Neufeld

And he went in again into the synagogue. And there was a man there who had a paralyzed hand. 2And they watched him to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they could accuse him. 3And he said to the man who had the paralyzed hand, “Rise up in the middle!” 4And he said to them, “Is it lawful on Sabbath to do good or to do evil? To save life, or to kill? But they were silent. 5And he looked around with anger, grieved by the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” And he stretched it out and his hand was restored. 6And the Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him as to how they might destroy him.        Mark 3:1-6 (HN)

Many of us, in our spiritual walk and in our leadership have a problem telling when is the time to fight, and when is the time to back off.  I have known some extremely confrontational people.  For them, all times are confrontation times, and all issues are fighting issues.  They would never consider toning down their rhetoric or their actions in order to avoid offense.

There are others for whom all times are fleeing times.  Their primary mission is to avoid offending anyone.  If there is something that might annoy anyone else, no matter how good an idea they think it is, they will hold it back until nobody is going to be offended.

The Bible has support for both sides of this debate.  The easiest place for me to go is the chapter that has the two sides in consecutive verses:

4Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you become like him yourself.
5Answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own eyes.     Proverbs 26:4-5 (HN)

I use this text to illustrate the “toolkit” concept in using the scriptures.  We could look at these verses as a contradiction.  One tells us to do something, but the other commands the exact opposite.  Which one are we to obey?  The answer requires wisdom—no surprise, considering this is the book of Proverbs!  Which one applies to your situation?

In our text, Jesus is confronted by evil and by evil’s helpers.  Why do I call the scribes “evil’s helpers?”  Because they are the critics.  They’re looking for reasons to attack Jesus.  They want to be offended.

Some people think they aren’t critics, but rather just people who want to see to it that things are done right.  If someone is doing something wrong, shouldn’t you let them know?  You can usually tell by the fruit.  Are you happy when you find someone doing something wrong?  Does it give you a thrill of power?  You can tell further by how you act.  Do you provide helpful answers about what to do, or do you go off and conspire with other people?

If you’re one of the critics, then you are evil’s helpers.  Those are the folks Jesus confronted.  He found a situation when their activities had to be challenged.  He had to “answer the fools according to their foolishness.”  You see, what Jesus was about to do didn’t actually violate Jewish law, at least according to most interpretations.  These guys were taking a hard line so they could catch him.

There was a major issue at stake as well:  Are people more important or are rituals?  So Jesus got up, jumped right into the critics’ face, and confronted them.

Many of us would choose instead to take the man aside and heal him quietly.  If people are going to be offended, why not avoid the conflict?  Because in this case, the conflict is the important thing.  The religious spirit that says, “Our worship service is more important than this man’s pain,” is the spirit that has destroyed communities of faith ever since there were any to destroy.

Can your life be interrupted by human pain?  If your pastor interrupted the service to deal with a homeless person, or to offer prayer for someone in the congregation for healing, or to let the congregation listen to someone’s testimony, would it offend you?  If it would, you’re headed toward the critics’ side, and you don’t want to be there.

Don’t be offended if Jesus interrupts your routine today.

Posted in Mark, Proverbs | Comments Off on Choices

To Be Holy

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ— as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”        1 Peter 1:13-16 (WEB)

Too often we look at references to God’s words “…be holy; for I am holy” and dismiss them. “Oh, well, I can’t be holy like God so there’s no use me trying!” Well, duh. It’s in my list along with: “I don’t deserve Jesus’ sacrifice and His grace and mercy.” Well, double-duh! Now let’s move on!

Peter knew what it meant to be unworthy, didn’t he? And yet here is Peter telling me to turn away from my old ways and look at God’s holiness as my standard. Did Peter say this because he had achieved it? No way. Peter saw himself as the least but forgiven any way. And here was the way to move toward God’s holiness.

Prepare your minds for action. Don’t sit around and become a Christian Couch Potato. Spend time every day in Scripture. Pray (have a conversation) with God every day. Exercise that brain muscle so that it is ‘tuned up’ for spiritual action.

Be sober. I think of myself as a charismatic Christian. My faith is an ‘experiential’ faith. My relationship with God is intimate and personal. There was a time when I ran from ‘mountain top’ to ‘mountain top’ in my time with God. If I was ecstatic, then it was like I needed a ‘fix’. Jesus faithfully stuck with me and that relationship has grown and has a strength that comes with maturity. It is no less intimate but the intimacy does not depend on the ‘mountain top’. Even in a valley, Jesus and I meet. And most days, we are walking along – just a path. Let us be filled with the Spirit that produces joy, wisdom, peace, perseverance, strength, etc.

set your hope fully on the grace. I cannot help but tear up when I read these words. No matter what the circumstance of my day, my life, I have hope and it comes from the great love (grace) through Jesus. It is Jesus’ love revealed in so many aspects of who He is. It keeps unfolding and pouring into my heart, refilling that hope that has leaked out from the wounds of this world’s war. Hope does spring eternally through Jesus.

not conforming…but…you yourselves also be holy in all your behavior. Another way of saying I am not to conform to the world but instead be an alien, holy and set apart. I will live in the world but not be of the world. Jesus is my standard and what I am always moving toward. Jesus never set Himself above those He served so that He could be of no good to them. He also never had one spot of unholiness. Jesus was fully human and fully God. He lived what I am living and still was holy.

Today is a day that God has made. Let us choose to be holy in it, as Jesus is holy in it.

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God’s Grace IS sufficient for more forgiveness than can be counted

Posted on October 28, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, AND I forgive him? Until seven times?”        Matthew 18:21 (WEB, my emphasis)

Too often I can read past this verse, dismissing it that it does not apply to me. “I don’t have anything to forgive my brother!”

Jesus’ lesson is not so pointed here. Peter could be me asking how often I forgive my husband. It could be how often do I forgive my mother or father. Or how often shall I forgive my co-worker or boss.

Forgiveness is a subject that I have shared many, many, many times in these devotions. I don’t think God is sure that I have learned my lessons here. I am sure I haven’t! I can state the lessons about forgiveness but in my day-to-day walk – I struggle with forgiveness. I am going to attempt to honestly put into words what is in my heart:

As I grow in my relationship with Jesus, I learn more about obedience and disobedience. I learn more about “right” and “wrong”. Pretty much at this point in my life with Jesus, I know when I commit a sin. I know when I am holding un-forgiveness in my heart. When I lay down at night and ask God to review my day, I know about repentance! With this knowledge comes the slippery slope of judgment. It is so much easier to take what I know and apply it to everyone else.

“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.”       Mathew 7:1-4 (WEB)

And so Jesus’ point is that I apply what I know to myself before I look to someone else! (Leave the judgment to the One who is qualified!)  Jesus wants so much for me to be a wise, obedient child of God. Like any good parent, God wants me to succeed and be happy. I will live in that state through wisdom and obedience in the lessons He teaches me. So today I will once again, I will take Jesus’ lessons into my heart first and pass them along to you – and let GOD decide how He will present that to you! And if we should run into a conflict as we are both on our journeys – may God also direct our conversation in His Spirit and His Truth.

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Who is with Us?

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.”

Jesus said to him, “Don’t forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us.”         Luke 9:49-50 (WEB)

Church signs have been a topic of conversation in our home over the last few months as we prepare for the debut of our next book, Megabelt, by a new author, Nick May. Catchy phrases and bad puns posted in front of churches doesn’t seem like any of the “Top Ten Ways to Get People to Come to Church”. Posting service schedules and upcoming events that are an outreach to the community would seem better use of sign space to me.

However, Jesus says here that we also spend way too much time concerned about what ‘John Smith Church’ is or isn’t doing and not enough time honestly evaluating whether we are doing what Jesus has called us to do and as leaders in a fellowship are we hearing His voice and speaking His guiding words as to how we spend out time and resources. I don’t believe I have ever heard a prayer offered to bless a neighboring church that they would bring a fruitful harvest to God’s glory. Nope, I have never heard that.

The root of our problem may be as the disciples show in verse 46 where it says that a argument broke out between the disciples on who was the greatest. By our very church culture of attendance and pastor appointments, we reward numbers and demographic territory taken. Church politics is an abomination in the sight of Almighty God! “I AM THE GREATEST!” is no longer sung by boxers and musicians but by mega-churches and their leadership!

Oh, my friends, when will we see that the harvest is ripe and the time is NOW? When will we recognize – with joy – the strengths in each other and join together as His Body to be Light and Salt in this dark world? A world starving for what it cannot recognize amid all the glitz and half-truths! It is for us to show by our very lives what we speak with our mouths and know in hearts is the great love of Jesus Christ.

“Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit to eternal life; that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you haven’t labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”       John 4:35-38 (WEB)

Posted in John, Luke | Comments Off on Who is with Us?

What should a congregation following Jesus Christ in ministry look like?

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. When they saw him, they bowed down to [worshiped] him, but some doubted. Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe [obey] all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.        Matthew 28:16-20    (WEB, my additions)

Energion Publications, the publishing company my husband and I own, is asking this question in an essay contest that celebrates a soon-to-be-released series, Areopagus. I am obviously not in the contest for a Barnes and Noble prize (which I would love!) and I am not a judge, but I am allowed to discuss the question here with you in a devotion.

A congregation following Jesus –

1) would be full of worshipers and those who question. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that worship of God would not just happen where it is expected but everywhere that there is His Spirit and Truth. (John 4:21-24) I believe one of the primary characteristics of an intimate relationship with Jesus is His creating an atmosphere where I can worship and I can question. He can handle my imperfect, heart-sent worship and my repetitive, heart-sent questions.

2) would be about His mission: to go and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey Him. Buildings would be maintained only if they were for soup kitchens, care facilities, or “Open Night Basketball” for youth outreach or softball leagues that include family dinners and small group study with practice. Small groups in homes would be the norm but could include Sabbath School if that was a growing mission. Teachers and leaders would be known by their gifts and joy in service. Leaders would all have “tent-making” jobs because that, too, is an opportunity to reach out. No one would draw a salary from the congregation’s tithes and offerings but everyone could receive financial support if needed. Distribution of tithes and offerings would come, prayerfully, from the fellowship – those who are committed by their prayers, gifts, and service. Even a child who is giving could suggest a need for support!

3) would communicate (witness) to others. These would be joyful, frequent occasions. To those who do not know Jesus or about his love, opportunities to share would be sought, whether locally or abroad. Witnessing to or encouraging each other would be done any time a group met for study, food, worship, or prayer. Sharing what God has done illuminates what God is doing! It also affirms Jesus’ final words: “I am with you always.”

Posted in Matthew | Comments Off on What should a congregation following Jesus Christ in ministry look like?

Servant of the Most High God

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

– Henry Neufeld

YHWH God’s Spirit has gotten hold of me.

YHWH has anointed me, to proclaim good news to the oppressed.

He has sent me, To bind up those who are in despair

To  announce release to  the prisoners, Liberation for the captives.  — Isaiah 61:1 (HN)

Just to prove that commentators can be fairly boring, the big controversy about this text seems to be just the “I” is in this verse.  But while the arguments can be pretty boring, the answer is very important to you and me.

Here are some of the answers:

1.      Isaiah himself

2.      Israel

3.      Jesus as the Messiah

4.      The church

Now some of you may remember your Bible well enough to point out that Jesus quoted these verses with reference to himself in Luke 4:18-21, and you are right to do so.  But that’s only part of the answer.

You see the Spirit of the Lord was also on Isaiah.  It was God’s desire to pour out his Spirit on Israel so that they could be a light to the nations.  But there is another fulfillment of this prophecy in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit came on the church at Pentecost.  Peter preached from Joel, but he could easily have preached from this passage.  God’s Spirit was on him, empowering him to proclaim good news.

At Pentecost, God’s Spirit came on the church, and each one of us, as members of the church, partake in God’s Spirit.  We also—and this is important—partake in the mission to spread good news.  We are to act on the anointing the Spirit has placed upon us.

There are no second class citizens in God’s kingdom, but there are also no passengers.  Nobody is just along for the ride.  God’s anointing is not something that you hang out and enjoy.  God anoints you to do something.

Think about this:  God has chosen you.  You are special.  You have a special mission.

Is that the way you live?

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Workplace Servant

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

“But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all.”      Mark 10:44-45 (WEB)

This has been a week of God speaking to me about being a servant. I was drawn to some of Paul’s words about servants.

Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.          Ephesians 6:5-9 (WEB)

No one that I know is a servant OR master in the same context that Paul was discussing in this passage. However, most of us are employed or are employers. There is something here for me in that context.

As an employee or someone under contract, I have an obligation to fulfill that which I have contracted to do. When I take a job I am to do that job to the best of my ability every day that I come to work. I don’t give a good days work when I feel like it or when I know I am going to get a bonus. I don’t ignore the rules or steal when the boss isn’t looking. (It is stealing to do sloppy or ‘whatever’-attitude work, by the way.) I am under God’s eyes 24/7 and He always knows the ‘heart’ of my work! If I have determined that my employer is wrong, or operating in a standard is unacceptable to my life in Christ, then it is time to give notice and find a new job.

As an employer, I am certainly to be following the leadership example of Jesus. I do not ask anything of my employees that I am not willing to get on my knees and do myself. That doesn’t mean that if I am the director of a company that I should be in the bathrooms scrubbing the toilets. But I should know in my heart that I could be doing it! My Master is also the Master of every person in my employ. Each of us has been given a task and journey in this life and each of us is there as servants to glorify the Master. If I keep that in my heart, I will treat my employees with respect and set the example that will promote an atmosphere that has more of the fruits of God’s Spirit and less of the flesh. (Galatians 5)

I do not work in that wonderful world. I work for a large corporation that, like many, has its primary focus on the ‘bottom line’ and does what it is required by law in its attitude toward employees. Too often I feel that same ‘do-the-minimum’ attitude creeping into my spirit. That is not God speaking to me! I have taken a few minutes when I start my day praying a prayer of dedication: “Lord, this day is Your day. I offer it to You and desire that You be glorified, not only by my actions but also by the intentions of my heart. Lead me and guide me in Your ways, my Jesus, my Lord. Amen.” Now there are times during the day that I need to speak those words again! Jesus is faithful and hears my prayer. Jesus wants me to succeed in being a servant after His own heart.

Posted in Ephesians, Mark | Comments Off on Workplace Servant

great Servant

Posted on October 21, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”

He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory.”

But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

They said to him, “We are able.”

Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”

When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant towards James and John.

Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:35-45 (WEB)

When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant towards James and John. Just a quick observation about this sentence. It is always so much easier to see pride in others before ourselves, isn’t it? (ouch!)

Jesus brings the disciples together to teach them. It seems that Mark is telling us that this is going to be important. And it is. Jesus begins by reminding them how it feels to be considered less than. He tells them it is so very wrong to use one’s authority in order to denigrate others. And that is not what they are to do! I wonder if He even shook His finger at them. And then Jesus tells them something so startling and so contrary to their thinking and their society.

“If you want to be great – you must be a servant.”

And Jesus goes on. He says that serving will not be just a one time thing. It is like that of a “bondservant”. It is a lifetime commitment to serve BECAUSE Jesus, God-in-the-flesh, came not to be served by everyone – but to serve everyone. Jesus gave all as our ransom from the chains that bind us to sin. The Servant sets us free.

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