T(s)DD: Maybe

If I had never read Romans before and someone had just told me, "you wanna understand Romans? Pay attention to the word 'righteousness'" and "Romans is all about 'the righteousness of God'," this next verse might perplex me: 

Romans 1:18 NIV

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness....

And I might stay confused for the rest of chapter one, all of chapter two, and the first twenty verses of chapter three.  Maybe. Then again...

It might begin to occur to me that wrathful anger is an appropriate response of the righteous in the face of evil.  That suppression of truth invokes sharp emotion in those who  stand for truth and recognize the inherent danger of suppression. That God would not truly be righteous if He found  unrighteousness in all its ugly consequence tolerable. That His wrath is in very expression of His righteousness.

Righteous Father:  thank you for your holiness; thank you that it stands in stark contrast to godlessness, wickedness, suppression. In Jesus. Amen.

T(s)DD: Passphrase to The Book of Romans

Romans 1:16-17 NIV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

In case you haven't been paying attention, we may as well have out with it: I'm no scholar. I mean, yeah. I know a skosh more about Scripture and theology than your average bear, but bears catch fish better than I do. So there you go. And I digress.

I did, however, get a few passing grades listening to theologians and this truth one of them drilled into my head:

The heart and center of the Letter to the Romans is "the righteousness of God."

You want to "get" Paul's point here? Pay attention to the word "righteousness" and everything associated with, compared to, and contrasted with "the righteousness of God." Why shouldn't we be embarrassed or ashamed by the Gospel of Christ? Because (and this is a huge deal) in the message of Christ's cross "the righteousness of God" is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ.

Stay tuned!

Thank you, God of All Holiness and Most Righteous, for loving enough to reveal and make available to us your goodness, that we might experience it and be that same goodness for others through faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: A Hard Sell

Romans 1:14-17 NIV

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

You may be wondering why Paul (that's the church leader who wrote this long correspondence called Romans) would say--some might think defensively--"I am not ashamed" of the Gospel (good news). It helps to consider the stark, bloody reality of the crushing defeat the cross represented to these people.

If you were a first-century Jew, your response to Christ-followers might be, "let me get this straight: you want me to worship Jesus as some long-awaited deliverer of our nation-the One a few of the rabbis suggest Jewish Scriptures may foretell? We...are talking about the guy who died the most base, humiliating execution our occupying oppressors have devised to demoralize us...right?"

It was kind of a hard sell.

Non-Jews just laughed. Even painted graffiti making fun of the whole notion--no kidding.

Father, our own culture laughs as well; and caricatures; and in a hundred more ways assumes us to be hypocritical, or naïve--anything but what we strive to be. They assume the worst of you too, Lord--often based on our failure to represent you well.
Please keep us faithful. Keep us unashamed. Open the eyes of the blind that they may see the truth of their desperate need for you and how you express your love in this very Gospel. In Jesus. Amen.

T(s)DD: I Have to Take This Call....

For those of you who care to know such things, you might as well hear it straight from horse's mouth. I am not a Calvinist. I'm also not not a Calvinist. The mystery of the Divine Sovereignty as He interacts with we His creatures was not figured out once and for all--either by Calvin or Arminius--in the 1500s.

For those of you who couldn't care less...

The search is over. I will now reveal to you your destiny; your calling in life; that which you were made to be and accomplish:

Romans 1:5-6 NIV Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Whoever you are, know this: you are being called by God. Called to name Christ as Lord and Savior. Called to belong in an eternal relationship with the one who made you. Called to spend your life in community with others who accept and submit to that calling, and charged with the task of calling others to give themselves wholly to this self-same calling in Christ Jesus.

Any pursuit you choose that does not have this calling at its core will result in a you who is less than you were meant to be.
Accept or reject it, but this is that for which you have been made and given life.

That is all.

Father, thank you for calling us to a life of security and significance in Christ. Thank you, Sovereign that even in the messiness of my will you can bring all things around to your Purpose when I live a life that by your grace answers your call. In Jesus. Amen.

T(s)DD: Claim to Fame

Romans 1:1-4 NIV Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Just noticing something about the opening greeting of this fairly typical Greco-Roman correspondence. The first three words: "Paul, a servant..." the only thing he proceeds to say of himself is that his only claim to fame, in a matter of speaking, is what God did with him. "Called...set apart for the Gospel...."

Wonder what might happen if I approached every situation and relationship with the settled conviction of my servitude in Christ, and the rather liberating grasp upon the reality that my significance rests solely in what God has and will do with me by His gracious choice.

I am yours, Lord.
Just as I am.
Without one plea.
You hold all the cards in these negotiations.
My only hope lies in that which you offered when your blood, Lord Jesus, was shed for me, and the unfathomable fact that you call and invite me to come to you.
I come.
I come.

T(s)DD: Give Without Fear 11/13/13

Philippians 4:15-17 NIV Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.

What caught my eye was this last sentence. In giving and receiving, more is "credited to the account" of the giver.

No matter what your bank statement says.

In obeying God's directives to make provision for the church and those who minister there (tithing) and to supply for those in need (generosity), you will have more. More of whatever our souls are made of.

And you can take that to the bank.

Give us courage, Lord, to set aside the first 10% (or more) in keeping with what you have told us to do for your church, your ministers;and for the fatherless and widows, trusting that you will in turn supply all our need according to your riches in Glory in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The (somewhat) Daily Devo: When It's Not So Easy

Philippians 4:10-13 NIV I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

This is amazing all of itself without a hint of context. It's even sentimental. No wonder bits of it make their way to the inspirational plaques and posters. Consider, then, what lies behind.

Paul writes this from prison. Not the humane incarceration we think of; dark, dank, utterly hopeless, chained-to-something, starve-while-your-clothes-rot-unless-your-friends-or-relations-bribe-their-way-in-to-smuggle-you-food-and-clothing prison.

Want to take a moment and read it again?

Ran errands with my 11-year-old son Sunday. We talked a bit about the world into which he is growing up: a world less and less tolerant of Christ and those who confess His Name. A gathering storm. A world not unlike Paul's. (Shudder)

Agree with Paul? Ready to give up whatever comfort or freedom your confession demands of you, draw on Christ's strength, and declare yourself content?

Steel our resolve, Lord, in the gathering storm. We lift up our brothers and sisters throughout the world who's worship houses burn and who are this very day imprisoned, beaten, tortured, killed for that which we so freely and even conveniently confess. Steel yet more our resolve, Lord Jesus, to ever lay claim upon your Holy Name. Amen.

T(S)DD: Brain Wash

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I almost balk at this.  It’s like the lame advice people give you when you complain of some obsession dominating your thought life.  “Well, just don’t think about it.”  (Oh!  Thanks. That never occurred to me.  But now I’ll just not think about it and all will proceed effortlessly. Smirk.) 

While there may be power in positive thinking, there is another power at work distracting my mind from what is best.  I need to continuously, relentlessly invite another Power—God’s Spirit through Christ—to be at work in me.  Without it, Philippians 4:8 is out of reach.   

The practice our church is engaged in from October 6 – December 4 (http://www.soulrevolution.net/about/) of letting an hourly timer remind us to turn to His Word; to focus on God and what God wills and desires, has been a big help for me.  Just one more way to rely upon God to transform me by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:1-2).    

Father, don’t give up on us, we pray through Christ.  Please keep making us what you want us to be.  We could ask for no greater calling or destiny than this.  In Jesus we pray.  Amen.  

T(S)DD: Such A Deal!

Philippians 4:4-7 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It has been too long since Bradley and I blew our allowances at an arcade, throwing overpriced tokens at sundry games and collecting tickets to exchange for dollar store toys, trinkets and (my son's favorite) whoopee cushions. It has been far, far longer since my mother would collect stamps obtained as points from grocery stores (shopping incentives that predate loyalty cards) and turn them in for toasters and transistor radios.

Here in Philippians Paul describes a far better--if uneven--exchange: anxiety for peace. I just present it to God in prayer that asks for help thankfully and I walk away puzzled but peaceful. Beats whoopee cushions and cheap toasters, that's for sure.

Teach us, God of all Comfort, to openly, pleadingly, gratefully cast our cares upon you. In the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen.

T(S)DD: Friendly Fire

It is, one would surmise, human nature to think the best about yourself: assume the purity of one's own motives.

Which is a very good way to keep from changing, improving, growing.

Here are five words that might help: "Identify with the bad guy." When in reading Scripture, you encounter any scenario where someone is behaving badly, *before* moving on having assumed that the Word is referring to other people, ask yourself if it might be you and in what way.

Philippians 3:18-19 NIV For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

Forgive me, Father God, for my mind is too often "set on earthly things." May I not be numbered among the enemies of your Son's Cross. In Jesus. Amen.

The Daily Devo: Taking Out the Trash

Step One: List all your assets. Not merely financial. Include all your degrees, memberships, professional associations, certifications. If you are my age, include your spouse's accomplishments; and those of all your offspring. Everything you have going for you and all you feel good about or take pride in. Step 2: Read Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV): But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Step 3: God and Father, this makes me think of the words of C.S. Lewis who opined, "A man thinks he is finding his place in the world when really it is finding its place in him." Teach me, Lord, to genuinely look upon all I am and have and assign it it's proper place in the scheme of things: filth; trash over against the accomplishment of simply being found in you, Lord Jesus. Amen.