Tag Archives: Obedience

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Numbers 29

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“Sacrifice these to God as a congregation at your set feasts: your Whole-Burnt-Offerings, Grain-Offerings, Drink-Offerings, and Peace-Offerings. These are all over and above your personal Vow-Offerings and Freewill-Offerings.” Numbers 29:39 (MSG)

It’s been interesting for me to spend specific times at the lake this summer with children of different ages. It’s amazing to see how kids act and react in the different stages of life from infant to toddler to tweens to teens. For adults and parents, each stage has its blessings and each stage has its curses. As I interacted with all the children in their various stages, I found myself trying to create teaching moments when the opportunity arose.

This past weekend we were at the lake with some great young kids who, nonetheless, found themselves bored and ended up whining about it. During one of these moments I saw a big stack of laundered towels on the floor and I picked them up, asking our bored guest if he would take them down to the towel bin and put them away. There was a point to asking my young guest to do this. In fact, there were a couple of points I was subtly trying to communicate. First, if you’re bored enough to whine about it, we can certainly find something for you to do. Second, there is plenty of work that must be done to ensure that everyone has a good time at the lake and if you can participate in the fun things you can participate in the work, too.

As I read through today’s chapter and the dizzying list of offerings and sacrifices God prescribed for feast days (which was above and beyond those already prescribed), I’m reminded that there was a point He was trying to make with us His children. The point was that no human being can possibly sacrifice enough, offer enough, or do enough to achieve the status of being good enough to be acceptable for God. The impossible system of sacrifices was a giant word picture and object lesson to teach us that we can’t possibly do enough or be perfectly obedient enough to earn our salvation.

That’s why God sent Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice for the sin of the world. God’s Message says it is by God’s grace and unmerited favor we are saved through placing our faith in Jesus, His sacrifice and resurrection. Salvation is not something we earned ourselves by keeping a system of sacrifices or doing enough good deeds to balance out the bad. Salvation is the gift of God, not the result of our human works or any good works we might think we can boast about. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Today, I’m thankful that I’m free from having to earn God’s favor, and I’m grateful for the sacrifice God made to set me free.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Numbers 15

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Tassel making
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God spoke to Moses: “Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them that from now on they are to make tassels on the corners of their garments and to mark each corner tassel with a blue thread. When you look at these tassels you’ll remember and keep all the commandments of God, and not get distracted by everything you feel or see that seduces you into infidelities. The tassels will signal remembrance and observance of all my commandments, to live a holy life to God. I am your God who rescued you from the land of Egypt to be your personal God. Yes, I am God, your God.” Numbers 15:37-41 (MSG)

Part of my job is to coach people to improve the customer service they deliver on the phone. Most often, the road to improvement means developing behavioral habits which have not been part of a person’s natural conversation. He or she must remember to say certain things inside their interaction with the customer.

To help people remember, I will often encourage them to use a mnemonic device – a visual aid that reminds them to say the appropriate phrase. For example, if people forget to thank customers for holding, I encourage them to put a small sticky note by the hold button on their phone with the word “thanks” written on it. When they reach over to hit the button, they see the sticky note and are reminded to thank the customer for holding.

These types of devices work. Visually seeing something that reminds us of something we’re supposed to do can help us remember. Even God knows that, and gave instructions for the people to sew tassels on their garments to remind them of God’s commands.

Small reminders can help us with much larger matters of faith, obedience, and spiritual discipline.

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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 29

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“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 (MSG)

When I was a little child, my parents would tell me to get in the car. I didn’t know where we were going. I didn’t know the names of the streets, the layout of the city, or how to read a map. I would get in the car. Maybe I was going with dad to get a haircut. Maybe we were going to the grocery store. Maybe I’d end up at the doctor to get an immunization shot, or perhaps I’d find myself at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

“Tommy? Get in the car,” my mother would say.

“Come on, biddy buddy. It’s time to go,” my dad would beckon.

I didn’t know where I would end up, but I didn’t really question my parents. I knew I was loved. I couldn’t fathom the plans my parents had for me on that Saturday morning errand or how it fit in the longer range vision they had for my childhood or adolesence. But they had a plan and they loved me. I trusted.

To this day, I don’t always fathom where my heavenly Father is taking me. I can’t always perceive his plan, or how my momentary circumstances fit into the larger picture. But, I know he loves me, that He wants the best for me. I trust him.

“Come on, Tom. This way. It’s time.”

“Alright, daddy. I’m coming.”

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and dacotahsgirl
Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Jeremiah 11

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“‘Obey what I tell you. Do exactly what I command you. Your obedience will close the deal. You’ll be mine and I’ll be yours.'” Jeremiah 11:4 (MSG)

In the customer service business, I often train people the value of an ownership statement. It’s that statement you make right after a request is made that not only tells the customer that you are going to take responsibility to resolve his request, but also reveals your positive attitude about doing it.

Customer: “I have a question about my monthly statement.”
Representative: “I’d be happy to help you with your statement. What’s your question?”

When my daughter Madison was very young, perhaps four or five years old, there was one day when I asked her to do something for me. I don’t even recall what it was. It was simply a small task that I needed her to perform for me at that moment. While I don’t recall the task, I do recall her attitude. She beamed up at me and said, “Sure, dad. I’d love to do that for you!” I was blown away. Her enthusiastic obedience in that moment endeared dad like you couldn’t believe. I’ve never forgotten it.

Somewhere along the way it seems to me that obedience has gotten a bad rap. To obey and to serve has somehow become synonymous with being a a mindless lemming. Yet, choosing to be obedient, and to do so with a positive attitude, is a sweet thing.

Today, I’m happy to do what I’m asked. I want to serve God, my loved ones, and others – and serve well.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Amos 9

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Antelope Island State Park, Utah
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“I’m still giving the orders around here.” Amos 9:9a (MSG)

I’ve spent the last three days on site with a client I’ve served for 16 years. I know many of the employees. I’ve coached many of them since their first days of employment. So, when I go on-site and walk into the lunch room it can be a bit like a reunion.

Yesterday my colleague and I ran into one of the client’s senior managers. He’s a good man and we worked very closely with him for a long time before he was moved to different part of the organization. We’ve rarely seen him in recent years. He informed us that the company had uprooted him and his entire team and were moving them to a different office in a different part of the city to work with a completely different organization. It was a bit of a shock to hear the news. It was a bold and radical move on the part of the corporation, and looking into the man’s eyes we could tell it was even more shocking to him at this stage of his career.

“But,” he said without flinching after he shared the news, “I know God is in charge. It will all work out. I just keep trusting God’s promises.”

To hear his declaration of faith in the midst of upheaval was an inspiration to me in the midst of my own daily journey. I was glad we ran into him. It was a divine appointment yesterday.

It easy in the midst of rapidly changing circumstances to feel like God is distant, but He is not. He is still giving the orders around here. Like the old song says, our part is to trust and obey.

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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Romans 14

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Ran across this pic while doing some homework....
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If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help. Romans 14:4b (MSG)

As I’ve walked the journey with many fellow believers of a wide range of theological persuasions, I’ve noticed a common issue in our interpersonal relationships. I now see the problem, though at one time I didn’t regard it as such. At one time I considered this nagging characteristic a badge of honor, and I see that many of my brothers and sisters continue to do so. I call it the “Junior Holy Spirit Badge.”

The Junior Holy Spirit badge is worn by those of us who believe it is our sworn duty to personally convict others of their wrong doing. Eyes like a hawk, we hold our favorite version of life’s rule book in one hand and our personal tally sheet in the other. Constantly aware of what others are doing around us, it is our sworn duty to get in their face, point out what they’re doing wrong, point to our dog-eared copy of the rule book and call them to step in line behind us. Where would God be if he didn’t have me, Junior Holy Spirit Badge emblazoned upon my chest, helping Him to daily separate the sheep from the goats? After all, how are people going to be convicted of their sin, if I don’t personally tell them they’re sinning?

I have a confession to make. Somewhere along journey I took off my Junior Holy Spirit Badge and threw it in the ditch along the road along with my tally sheet and personal rule book. I realized that God’s message never asked me to convict people of their sin, but over and over again commanded me to forgive them. I also realized as I read His Message that I’m supposed to share God’s good news, which is love, grace, forgiveness, restoration, redemption and life. I didn’t have time to share the good news when I was busy sharing with people the bad news about what awful, terrible, sinful things they were doing and how it was going to land them in a world of spiritual hurt if they didn’t follow my prescribed version of personal obedience to God. I got tired of convicting people. It left me with no energy to love them.

And, I don’t want a merit badge for convicting people, I want a merit badge for loving them.

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Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 2 Chronicles 27

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Jotham’s strength was rooted in his steady and determined life of obedience to God. 2 Chronicles 27:6 (MSG)

When I was a kid, Saturday morning meant one thing and one thing only: cartoons. Before cable television, when your television had four channels, there was a limit of shows for kids and the networks reserved Saturday morning for children’s programming. I was there in front of the television every Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. in my blue pajamas with the red cuffs (onto which mom had sewn on an “S” so I could be Superman).

The first and most important cartoon of the morning was “Superfriends” which told stories of the “Justice League” of Superheroes: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the Wonder Twins. Each hero had their own unique powers.  Each character seemed to have an interesting story about the source of their special strength and power.

Along life’s journey, we each walk through stretches when we need to draw upon supernatural strength. For those who walk the narrow path of obedience, like Jotham, there is comfort in knowing that an unlimited supply of strength is available at the Source.

And, you don’t even need a cape.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and andrewmartin
Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Isaiah 20

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Shocked! God told Isaiah son of Amoz, "Go, take off your clothes and sandals," and Isaiah did it, going about naked and barefooted. Isaiah 20:2 (MSG)

Picture it yourself. Isaiah, the man of God, naked and barefoot walking through the streets of Jerusalem. People's eyes growing wide as they came upon him. Women screaming and quickly looking the other way so they don't have to look at his pasty white butt. People quickly crossing the street to avoid him. Men standing outside the local pub jeering at him. Good church-going religious people screaming insults and picking up stones to throw at him to punish his despicable act of public indecency.

Scandalous.
Preposterous.
Shameful.

"Quick! Hide the children's eyes!"

Imagine the talk at the dinner table that night.

"Who does he think he is? He calls himself a prophet? A man of God would never do that! God wouldn't ask someone to do something like that!"

"He's crazy, I tell you. Completely insane. I've always said that Isaiah was a few bricks shy of a full load."

"I'm telling you right now, we're going to the temple tomorrow and having a talk with the high priest. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind. Either that crack-pot, Isaiah, gets thrown out of the temple for good or I'm not going to give one more shekel to the Temple renovation project!"

Yes, God told him to do it. God is a God of metaphor and the prophets were his mouthpiece. The people refused to heed God's words, so God told Isaiah to give the good religious people of Jerusalem a word picture they could not ignore.

The more I study God's Message the more I conclude that God is not as concerned about social propriety as many of the people who claim to be His most faithful followers. God is much more concerned with our sincere and active love - our honest and humble obedience than he is about our propriety and public image.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and dieselbug2007

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 2 Kings 23

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"The king acted immediately…." 2 Kings 23:1a (MSG)

I walked into the Fine Arts Building on the campus of Judson College. As I rounded the corner towards the theatre, I was greeted by an actress I didn't know in full make up. She had a look of terror in her eyes.

"There you are! Hurry up! You're on in a minute!" she said frantically.

It then struck me like the proverbial ton of bricks. I had been cast in a small but significant part, but I completely forgot about it. Pushed down the long hallway toward the backstage entrance by my fellow cast member, my heart raced and my mind spun.

"[expletive deleted]!" I thought to myself. "What are my lines?"

As I passed another actor standing at the stage entrance with his script, I nabbed the dog-eared copy and grantically began leafing through looking for my lines. It was useless. As I stood in the blackness off-stage and heard the actors on the other side of the curtain already well into the first act, I realized that I was out of time. I didn't remember my lines. I had no clue what my blocking was. This was going to be ugly.

"You're on!" the actress frantically whispered, pulling the curtain back and waving me on stage.

I stepped out onto the stage. I felt the stage lights hit my face like a 2×4.

Then I woke up.

I have this "actor's nightmare" every once in a while and I never cease to wake up in a nauseating mixture of relief and terror. I'm as suceptible to procrastination as anyone. It's easy to put things off until they are completely out of mind. Like Josiah's Israel, some of the most crucial acts of obedience and ritual were such a distant memory that it took a dusty, forgotten copy of God's message to bring it back to mind.

But Josiah acted immediately. No more procrastination. No "I'll get to it later." The thought of letting someone else worry about it or waiting until later when there was "more time" had to end. When I fail to obey immediately, it's possible I may never get to it until I find myself standing and stammering idiotically under very bright lights.

I found out last night I was cast as the lead in our community theatre's next production.

I think I'll start working on my lines today.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day 2 Kings 22

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Not listening. When the king heard what was written in the book, God's Revelation, he ripped his robes in dismay. And then he called for Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the royal secretary, and Asaiah the king's personal aide. He ordered them all: "Go and pray to God for me and for this people—for all Judah! Find out what we must do in response to what is written in this book that has just been found!" 2 Kings 22:11-12 (MSG)

I am not, by nature, an angry person. It generally takes a lot to push my buttons and get me riled. However, as a person in authority, I've discovered that there is nothing quite as aggravating to me than when someone blatantly ignores what I've asked or said. To hear what I've asked and simply disregard it feels disrespectful and tears down whatever trust I might have placed in that person. I have found that disobedience stokes the fire of my anger.

Because of this, I kind of get it when God continually expresses his anger and outrage at the kings and people in the ancient days. How refreshing to read about Josiah's response to God's message. He immediately responded by seeking how he needed to change in order to be obedient to what God asked.

For several years I've been making this journey through God's message one chapter at a time. As I read this morning, I felt Holy Spirit calling me to a quiet conversation about my own life. Am I reading just to read? Is this really just about checking off my to-do list of spiritual good works? Or am I honestly responding to God's message by changing my behavoir in a sincere attitude of active obedience?

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and saynine