Clean-up Your House Before You Try To Clean Up Someone Else’s House

Day 59:

It was a morning setting.  The people gathered around to here what Jesus had to say.  Out of nowhere come professors of the law and Pharisees.  With them is a woman.  Not just any woman, but one who was caught having a sexual affair with someone who wasn’t her husband. 

 

The men marched this woman right up to Jesus to get some answers as to what actions should be taken against her.  Of course, the Law professors already knew the answer.  Stone her would have been the right course of action to take.  (Deuteronomy 22:22)  Interestingly though, the men only brought the woman.  Could it have been a sign they were bigots?  Or, they just wanted to catch Jesus in a trap so they could accuse him?  

John 8:6 says, it was a trap.  Is it possible that bigotry was there, too?  Maybe.  Deuteronomy says that both the man and women must be put to death.  If the “Law professors” and Pharisees were totally interested in keeping the law, they would not have needed Jesus to answer their questions.  The Law was clear and simple to understand. 

 

In an instant, Jesus takes over the entire conversation.  “Ok, here is what I say to each of you Law Professors and Pharisees.  You come here with this woman to only question me about my stance on the Law of sexual sin.  It isn’t the woman you are concerned about, if it were, you would have brought the man, too.  If you all understood the Law, you would have brought both lawbreakers, not just one.  You can’t expect one to be stoned and not the other.  Let’s put the woman aside for a moment.  I want to deal with each of you.  If each of you can look into your hearts and honestly say you are not a sinner, then I say stone her right here and right now.  Take your best shot.  Kill her.  Get it over with.  Go on.  Stone her.” 

 

The Law professors and Pharisees knew that Jesus had them left to right.  No movement could be made to accuse Jesus, nor a stone could be thrown at the woman.  In their attempt to catch Jesus in a trap, they found themselves in a trap.  With no way out, they left the scene without the woman.  Without one shred of evidence to accuse Jesus. 

 

So often, the scene is the same even today.  In attempting to shame others because of their sins, we forget to scrutinize our own lives to ensure we are living the right life.  I get the fact we need to deal with sinful issues, however, it is important that we do it in love, compassion, mercy and grace.  Also, we must ensure our own lives are right before we deal with someone else’s issues. 

 

Jesus hit home a point when he says, “It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.”  Luke 6:41-12 (MSG)

 

Jesus never overlooked the sinful actions of the woman who had a sexual affair.  He dealt with it head on.  However, he wasn’t going to allow pompous law keepers with their self-righteous mentality to get away with not assessing themselves, too. 

 

Trying to trap someone into saying or doing something is a godless act.  Defaming someone’s character for the sake of making one-self look better is sinful.  Judging others will receive the same type of judgment that is done to others according Matthew 7. 

 

God expects more out of his followers.  God desires that we be the pacesetters in right living. Let’s be people who help others, encourage and loving deeply.  Be Jesus in real time to a community who needs to see love in real time.

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

 

 

 

 

Only God Can Mend a Broken Nation

Day 58

Over the last week, we've witnessed a nation under attack by a mad man.  His relentless pursuit of taking what doesn't belong to him knows no boundaries.  Anyone who gets in his way will suffer the consequences of a beating, imprisonment or death.  His evil actions are guided only by one person...Satan!

As Ukraine suffers, so do little children all across the U.S.  Children wake-up and go to bed hungry.  They bath in dirt and watch their addicted parents give more attention to their choice of drug.  They lie in dirty beds and wear dirty clothes.  They know only chaos.  Abuse.  Suffering.  Hunger.  Fear.  We do not have to look far to find these children.  They live in small towns, big cities, nice subdivisions and nasty run-down houses.  Often times, the only meals, love and attention they get are from compassionate teachers at school.  These children matter.  They matter to God...to us!  

As children across America starve, Women are abused...sexually, emotionally and physically.  They are trapped in a world of hate.  They are used. They are devalued.  Their worth is only as much as what they believe it is.  They, too, only know chaos.  Abuse.  Suffering.  Fear.  We do not have to look far to find the abused woman.  She may be our next-door neighbor, a wife of the preacher, doctor, lawyer or community leader.  She is afraid to speak, run-away or tell the police.  Fear is her guide and pain is her shield.  

As children across America starve and women are abuse, crime is shattering the image of our nation.  Thugs steal, murder and destroy communities.  They keep our streets in chaos.  They abuse others by their bullying tactics and oppressive control through threats.  They keep the vulnerable locked up in fear and storeowners worried if they will have a store to go to.  

I am heartbroken for our nation.  Our war is with each other.  Our fight isn't against another country; rather, it's against the criminals, abusers and those who do not value the sanctity of life.  The pain that is inflicted are by the ones who should love us mostly and protect us daily and value our freedoms without fear.  

God can only mend a broken nation.  When a nation humbles themselves and surrenders their life to God, then and only then can mending be possible.  When a nation respects God, they will start respecting each other.  When God is first, then addictions, abuse and crime cease.  When we value each other, we will feed the hungry and allow love to lead our nation.  

Psalm 33:6-12

The Lord merely spoke,
    and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
    and all the stars were born.
⁷ He assigned the sea its boundaries
    and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.
⁸ Let the whole world fear the Lord,
    and let everyone stand in awe of him.
⁹ For when he spoke, the world began!
    It appeared at his command.

¹⁰ The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations
    and thwarts all their schemes.
¹¹ But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
    his intentions can never be shaken.

¹² What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
    whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.

 Remember, Be God Controlled!

 

Pray...Listen...Trust

Day 57

Sometimes, talking to God and listening to him is the only solution.  The best three things we can do to discover calmness during hectic times or understanding when difficulties hit hard is to:

    1.  Tell God what is on your heart.  

    2.  Listen for the answer.  

    3.  Trust God's answer or decision. 

So, today, I will listen for God's decision and I will trust that God knows what is best no matter if I like it or not.   

Proverbs 2:1-5:

"My child, listen to what I say,
    and treasure my commands.
² Tune your ears to wisdom,
    and concentrate on understanding.
³ Cry out for insight,
    and ask for understanding.
⁴ Search for them as you would for silver;
    seek them like hidden treasures.
⁵ Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
    and you will gain knowledge of God."

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Where is Our Humanity?

Day 56

I am trying to write what my heart is feeling about the Ukrainian people.  I can't help but feel selfish.  I want to help, but I live 5,427 miles from Kiev, Ukraine.   Pray?  I do.  Hurt?  I do.  Angry?  I am.  Sad?  Yes.  

Where is our humanity?  It is heart wrenching to watch little children bunker in a once thriving subway station. Children are clinging to their mothers while daddy is doing everything possible to courageously stand as a mighty Ukrainian warrior to protect and defend his family and the nation he loves.  

People can be evil.  They take whatever they want.  They hurt whomever they want.  They destroy anything they want.  There is no negotiating with anyone who is bent on defying humanity, goodwill and love for neighbor.

As a nation is being ravaged by evil, the world watches.  But, why do we watch?  Deep down, most people are the definition of humanity:  compassionate, sympathetic and generous toward those who are hurting or suffering.  But, why be idle.  Why only watch?  

Truthfully, it bothers me to only be a viewer from 5,427 miles away.  What can I do?  You, do?  Anyone do?  We say it's not our fight to fight, but Ukrainians didn't ask for the fight...invasion, either.  

Their strength is unable to match the invader, but their spirit, resolve, love for God, country and family is inspiring.  Their courage is second to none.  Their fight to the end doesn't go unnoticed, even to their adversary.  

 Pray?  I will continue.  May God protect the Ukrainian nation. 

2nd Samuel 22:3-4

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
³     my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
    the one who saves me from violence.
⁴ I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and he saved me from my enemies.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

 

 

Ukraine is Under Attack

 Day 55

The sounds of gunfire.  Buildings that once stood tall have now been reduced to rubble.  Tyranny has taken over.  Tens of thousands have packed their cars with essentials and headed to boarding countries.  Invasion. War.  Bloodshed.  Neighbors fighting...fighting for what purpose?  

I turned off the news late, but my mind stayed on as I kept thinking about a nation under attack.  A place where I've been.  Streets where I've walked.  Friends I have made.  

Who gives someone the right to attack another?  Is power and control over others more important than neighboring friendships or solidarity?   Doesn't history teach us anything about brutality and dictatorship and selfish ambitions?  Is the need to manipulate others so great of a desire that their are no other options?  

Ukraine is under attack.  The cries of her people can be heard around the world.  The shattered lives.  The pain of loss.  The country that holds millions has been taken, not given.  A land of beauty has taken hits from artillery that has scarred its landscapes and clouded her skies and damaged her soul.  

There is no right one has to walk into anyone's house and freely take what doesn't belong to them.  Anyone who is so bold to declare war on her neighbor would be bold enough to declare war on the other neighbors.  Trust is gone...lost!  Peace...no more! 

May God reach deep into the heart of the selfish man and change its direction.  May God sever his hate and replace it with love.  May God put up roadblocks that will hinder any progression and protect a nation that needs protecting.

Psalm 91

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
²This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
³ For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side,
    though ten thousand are dying around you,
    these evils will not touch you.
⁸ Just open your eyes,
    and see how the wicked are punished.

⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
¹⁰ no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
¹¹ For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.
¹² They will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras;
    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.”

God. He is Good

 Day 54

God.  The mentioning of His name should send us to our knees and our heads bowed.  

God.  He is holy, righteous and perfect.  

God.  He is grace, mercy and forgiveness.  

God.  He is second chance giver a thousand times over.  

God.  He gives.  

God.  He loves with no strings attached.  

God.  He is our rescuer.  

God.  He provides.  

God.  He heals.  

God.  He comforts.  

God.  He protects.  

God.  He is present.

God.  He is snail slow pace to become angry.

God.  He disciplines because he loves

God.  He listens.

God.  He is patient.

God.  He is worthy of our reverence and respect.

Unintentional and Intentional Sins

Day 53:  Leviticus 3:1-7:36

How can someone sin unintentionally?  I've heard that "we should know better," or "if you were paying attention, this would never have happened!"  Really?  Isn't that the essence of sinning unintentionally?

"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."  

"Officer, I didn't know the speed limit was 35 MPH."  

"I wasn't aware I was trespassing, I didn't see the sign."   

"I was trying to defend myself, I wasn't intending to be disrespectful or rude."

"I lost control of my car, I didn't mean to hit you."

There are times we do not know we are sinning.  we take things, do things, say things are go places that we do not know at the time is a sin.  Our hearts and motives are pure, but the actions are still sinful.  Once we are aware of the sin, it is imperative that we make the unintentional sin, right.  

God gave Israel a way out of their unintentional sins.  “The Lord said to Moses, Say to the Israelites: ‘When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands—‘If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the Lord a young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed."  Leviticus 4:1-3

For Israel, a few of the unintentional sins would have been touching an unclean carcass or human or manslaughter.   Their hearts would have been pure, but their actions were a sin against God's law.  When the Israelite became aware of his or her sin, they were given provisions to make the wrong, right.

Although we are not bound to the sacrificial laws, we still needed provision for our sins.  Romans 3:23 says that we "all sin and fall short of the glory of God."  No matter how we sin, we still need a sacrifice for our sins.  The Apostle Paul tells the believers at Corinth that "...Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said." 1st Corinthians 15:3  

Jesus became the waymaker for our sins no matter if they are unintentional or intentional.  Peter said that, "Jesus himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1st Peter 2:24

Thankfully, we are not stuck in the muddiness of sin; nor do we have a Father who holds us hostage to by constantly reminding us of our bad behavior.  Isaiah 43:23 God said that "I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again." 

No matter how we sin, whether intentionally or unintentionally, our sins are forgiven.  Jesus' sacrifice cleans us up and keeps our relationship with God right.  

Remember, Be God Controlled!