Delivering "take-out"

1 Kings 18 records a tremendous historical highlight of the prophet Elijah battling for God's name-sake against the pagan nation that served Baal wholeheartedly under King Ahab and his ruthless wife, Jezebel. A notable account not to be overlooked or taken lightly. But within the margins of this intense drama in Israel's history, lies some insight on a man named Obadiah. He was apparently a high-ranking servant to King Ahab, more specifically "in charge of his house." During a perilous time when it was deadly to be a prophet of the Lord because of Jezebel's quest to kill them, Obadiah risked all. He hid 100 prophets in two caves and provided bread and water to sustain them. Obadiah's next role was to go to King Ahab and announce Elijah's where abouts - a task that would most assuredly end in revelation of his personal commitment to the Lord and put his life at further risk. But I'll let you read what happened after that and return your attention back to two specific things...

1. For a season, Obadiah faithfully worked behind the scenes (literally!) by hiding 100 of the Lord's prophets from incessant danger. God used him to preserve a remnant in Israel that would have a spiritually rippling effect for centuries to come!

2. The prophets Obadiah protected were safely tucked away inside caves and sustained by Obadiah's faithful provision of bread and water even though the land was in a severe drought!

Consider the things we do by the unction of the Lord that will have long-term effects in the Kingdom of Christ. Obadiah was dependable to use his resources for God and God took over from there, increasing the results into His plan for the future. Finally, if we examine the living conditions of the prophets in the caves, we see a true picture of the Lord. They were hemmed in by the rocks, they drank of the water, and they were sustained by the bread.

The Lord is our rock.
The Holy Spirit is the cleansing water.
Jesus is the Bread of Life.

We also can rest in Him, drink of Him, and always depend on Him. He is in total control and He will accomplish His mighty works!

Cultivated Capacity

So often the apostle Paul lays out spiritual direction in black and white. He was just that kind of guy - no beating around the bush - no time for that in his ministry. So when he summarizes that he is a "servant of the Gospel" in Colossians chapter one, I think, Yeah, he was an apostle, a missionary, an evangelist, he discipled other church leaders and pastored churches all over the place. He did serve the gospel. Go Paul! OK, now on to the next verse....

But wait. Every scripture is God-breathed and useful for rebuke, correction, instruction, and training in righteousness in our lives that we too (like Paul) may be made whole and equipped for every good work. Now think of the title roles in our lives. There are many. Wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, caretaker, neighbor, parishioner, employee, etc. How can we "serve the Gospel" through these positions God has placed us in?

Do all things as unto the Lord and not unto men and He will reward us as partakers of the inheritance (see Col. 3:23-24). To grow in this dimension of our existence adds richness and color to what could otherwise be deemed as common. Attend to the Gospel of grace in the creative capacities of your day, week, month, and year.

Slow and steady wins the race

At a birthday party this weekend my daughter was among six girls of all ages who gathered around for the next game. Their goal was to be the first one to thread several small beads onto a piece of string. Fingers flew. Some started with success then met frustration because of a run in with a frayed end on their string or an irregular plastic bead that kept rejecting the imposing cord. Frustratingly, other girls started out by dropping beads in their bustle of excitement but later fell into a momentum of pick up, thread through, pick up, thread through, pick up, thread through. A caring mommy nearby cheered, "Slow and steady wins the race, girls!" The tension was building. It was anyone's game.

Finally squeals rang out when the first string was raised declaring victory. Shortly after, the next one rose, and the next until all the girls had successfully reached the desired end. Faces once full of concentration transformed to smiles for the crowd while a half dozen rainbowed snakes dangled in the air. All were happy because in this case they all became winners. Each girl had her prize in hand-a new backpack zipper pull, a cell phone or Nintendo DS charm, a gift for Grammy, or perhaps a new bracelet or necklace.

Such is the life of a believer. Steady plodding through the Christian life will lead to a victorious end. The apostle Paul said that he hadn't arrived yet (already obtained perfection or "completeness") but would press on in order to receive that which Jesus had laid hold for him (see Philippians 3: 12-15). Oh, the obstacles will come. The tripping up along the way due to our human frailties will slow us down at times, but we get up again and get back in the race. Don't linger in the past (v. 13) but press on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (v. 14). Someday we will all raise the victory flag and look into the approving eyes of our audience - the Lord.

Small But Mighty

While studying through the book of James, we were asked to think of adjectives that would describe the tongue. In James’ account of its influence and power (James 3:2-12), he likens it to a bridle in a horse’s mouth, able to control this muscular animal and direct its path even though it is such a small instrument. Next, he compares it to the rudder of a ship. This discreet piece of equipment also wields great power and influence on not only the vessel it is directing, but also upon the cargo and crew riding upon it. As if this doesn’t raise warning enough for the reader, he calls the tongue a fire. Think of the small spark that ignites a raging inferno consuming everything in its path. Unlike natural fire, the unrighteous source of this “fire” to which James refers is hell. The tongue is able to defile one’s body and even destroy the course of their life.

With this poignant picture in my head, I came up with a few adjectives. Dangerous. Powerful. Controlling. None of these quite encompass the magnitude of what I wanted to say about the Lord’s impacting words regarding the tongue. Then it occurred to me. Not an adjective, but a noun...flubber.

It’s been a long time since I have seen “The Absent-Minded Professor” if I’ve even watched the entire movie at all. And although I know I’ve seen the latest version entitled “Flubber,” I cannot recall many details of the film as a whole. I do recollect however a few captivating scenes. Thus, the reason for my tongue/flubber epiphany.

Remember when Fred MacMurry (Professor Brainard) puts this unique substance on the soles of the college basketball teams’ sneakers? The team goes flying high. They awe the crowd and win the game by leaps and bounds (literally). Everyone watching this wishes that such an event could actually occur. Oh how quickly I could get work done around the house with a little of that under my slippers. And those spider webs in our vaulted ceilings would be no match for me!

That scene was fun and lighthearted, but the really vivid imagery that says it all is in the modern version of this film where the professor first discovers flubber in his lab. Initially this small, gentle, and even cute blob seems innocent enough. Subtle responses to a little momentum begin slowly. Soon, spurts of spirited motion amaze the professor but that doesn’t alarm him. Then, increasing blasts of energy occur. It morphs, multiplies, and even does the mambo! But as the scene progresses, the flubber takes on a life of its own and becomes increasingly mischievous. Computerized movie-making magic displays green silicone bouncing in all directions of the lab reeking havoc while the professor frantically dodges its dangerous paths. It doesn’t take long for him to realize the power now set in motion. Although it seemed harmless, it quickly grew out of control and emblazoned with enough energy to destroy him and everything else along the way. Does this sound familiar?

James gave us a sobering reminder of the untamed nature of our mouths. The tongue (the pen, they keyboard) rattles on daily. Each word is a blessing, a curse, or something in between. For the maturing believer, these words should be an indication of growth in learning God’s ways and applying them to our lives. Previous to this excerpt, James admonishes those with faith in Jesus to put that belief to work through actions. Here’s a great opportunity to do so. One of the utmost importance.

If the tongue is the evidence of what we are on the inside, then let us challenge ourselves to give God control by allowing Him to transform our hearts and minds. As bridles, may our tongues take us in the right direction. As rudders, may they lead us toward righteousness, and as a fires, may they burn with holiness and reap good spiritual fruit along the way.

The words of a follower of Christ should be filtered first by the Holy Spirit and secondly by the wisdom given by God through His Word. How else will the world know that Christ is alive within us? Children can learn of God’s mercy when we speak compassionately. Co-workers can learn of God’s forgiveness when we express grace. Hurting friends can learn of God’s help when we share hope. May we tip the scale, not in our favor, but in God’s today by speaking more words of blessings than those of curses. It is by His perfect Words of Scripture and through the embodiment of His Words in Jesus that we are changed. No man can tame the tongue, but God can.

Get Used

Thanks to an awesome accountability connection with a friend, I've recently been reading through a few books of the bible repeatedly, namely Judges, 1st & 2nd Timothy, and Esther. Although there is so much to be gleaned on various topics, the compilation of these books have given me one main thing to consider... to get used by God.

In Judges there are several people (unlikely choices such as a mother, an ox herder, brave Gideon with a waning army, etc.) who God uses to bring deliverance to His beloved and restoration in their lives.

In 1st & 2nd Timothy, Timothy (a newer and unseasoned ministry guy) is lead step by step on how to let God use him to reach out to believers with truth, love and purpose.

In Esther, God uses a young Jewish girl to save her nation by giving her a platform before the king.

1. God sets the stage.
2. It's a matter of obedience to take that situation we're feeling led to act upon.
3. Get used by God.