Our Main Ambition

2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Paul is speaking about longing for the new body that will come with the resurrection. Paul's preference is to be with the Lord, clothed in immortality. However, no matter where he is, his main ambition is to please Christ. While in his present body, Paul determines to live in such a way that he will be rewarded when he appears before the judgment seat of Christ.
This is what the pastor at First Ev Free in Fullerton was speaking about: how we live in the present affects how we will experience and enjoy eternity. Paul has abandoned himself to pleasing Christ and is anticipating a full enjoyment of eternity as a result. He anticipates that everyone will be judged based the things they have done while in their present bodies. Obviously this does not determine the salvation of the person. Paul makes that clear in other passages - by grace through faith alone. However, this does not absolve us from doing any works. Paul is equally clear in this and other passages that everyone will receive what is due them for the works they have done.
The question that arises with a salvation that is by grace through faith alone is, "why, then, should I bother to do anything when all that is required is faith in the grace of Christ?" The answer from Scripture is that what I do here in this body affects my experience of eternity.

Praying for Protection

John 17:9-17

This is a continuation of Jesus' prayer - often referred to as his high priestly prayer. In this section he addresses the tension of living in the world but not being of the world. He asks his Father to protect his followers. I think most people would assume that he is requesting that his followers remain safe in his absence but that is not the case. Jesus is mainly asking his Father to protect his followers from the influences of the world, not from harm. If it was a request to keep his followers from harm, then we must consider Jesus' request unfulfilled since most of the apostles were martyred or exiled and thousands of Jesus' followers face persecution every year.
This is a vital prayer for Jesus' followers in North America today and for me in particular. We do not face much in the way of physical danger because of our faith. We do face much in the way of compromise and worldly influence. Jesus' prayer rings in my ears as I re-enter my normal lifestyle after being away for 12 days. I was insulated from media, from news, from sports, from the concerns of regular life. As I re-enter my routines and re-engage my regular world, I recognize the ease of adopting worldly positions, pursuits and recreations. I am praying along with Christ that I would be sanctified by God's word, that I would be protected from the evil one and his subtle strategies and that I would know what it means to be in the world but not of the world.

Greater Things

John 14:12-14

The key words are Father and "in my name." These are words that Jesus spoke to his disciples just before he was arrested and crucified. He is telling them about things that are going to happen immediately (i.e. his arrest and crucifixion) and a bit further into the future (i.e. the coming of the Spirit).
Jesus is telling his disciples that they will be empowered to continue on his work. He makes a bold and somewhat puzzling statement: that his disciples will do even greater things than he did. That statement should have caused his disciples to sit up and take notice. Greater things than Jesus? How is that even possible? Jesus gives the answer in the following verses: 1) through prayer (v.13-14) and 2) in the power of the Spirit (v. 15 and following). Regular human beings who have been redeemed by Christ, adopted by the Father and empowered by the Spirit will continue to carry out the work and agenda of Christ on this earth. That will cause people to take notice, just as it did in the book of Acts.
There is another phrase that has often been misinterpreted; "in the name of Jesus." This is not a magical phrase that we just add to our prayer that forces God to answer in the way that we want him to. This is not a mantra that we repeat to get our own way. It means that when I approach every moment as an opportunity to advance the agenda of the Kingdom that Jesus will give me everything I need to accomplish that.
So, as I go to L.A., this means that I do not need to worry. The success of this trip does not rely on my own wisdom or strength. I go in the wisdom, strength and power of the Spirit who lives in me and empowers me, along with my team-mates, to do everything that God has called me to do. It means that as I look for opportunities to advance the agenda of Christ and make him known to people, that I will have everything that I need as I rely on him.

Strengthened With All Power

Colossians 1:9-14

This passage contains Paul's prayer requests for the church at Colossae. The idea of continually praying, without stopping is key to this passage. I see it in the verb tense that Paul uses as well. He is informing the Colossians that he has been, still is and will not stop praying for them.
This passage is immediately connected to the previous paragraphs. Paul indicates that there is a reason that he is praying for them: because of the reports he has heard about their faith, the spread of the gospel in their community and their love.
The structure of Paul's prayer is a bit confusing:
Main Request: God would fill them with the knowledge of his will
Sub requests: live a life worthy of the Lord, bear fruit, grow in knowledge of God, be strengthened by his glorious might (with the result of having great endurance and patience) and give thanks to the Father.
The main request is clear - that they would know what God wants them to do and they would be obedient to that knowledge. Everything else, including being strengthened, flows from being obedient to what they know of God's will.
So, for me going down to LA, I need to pray this same prayer: God, make it clear to me what you want me to do and then let me be obedient to do that. In other places in Scripture this is referred to as faithfulness and it is the greatest and highest compliment Christ will bestow on his servants: "Well done, good and faithful servant." May I be found faithful to the will of God.

He Will Protect You

Psalm 91

Is this true? This all sounds really nice and I really like some of the language of this psalm but I wonder if this is really true. Will God really protect us always? If disaster happens or someone gets hurt on our trip, does that mean that we didn't really make God our shelter, that we didn't really trust him to protect us? There seems to be a definite cause/effect relationship in this psalm: verse 9 - "If you say, 'The Lord is my refuge.' and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you..." and verse 14 - "'Because they love me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue them.'" If something bad happens, the obvious conclusion is that I/we don't love God and/or did not make him our dwelling. It also leads to tokenism: if I say 'The Lord is my refuge' like a mantra or a lucky charm God will protect me.
So, what is this psalm saying? It is saying that I can and need to trust God because he is good, he is in control and he loves me very much. I know that even if something happens to me or on the trip, God doesn't change - he is still good, he is still in control and he still loves me very much.

Please, Pray For Me

Ephesians 6:19-20

The key words in this passage are pray and the idea of speaking/declaring the gospel. Paul is asking the Ephesian church to pray for him while he is in jail. His specific prayer is that he would be able to declare the gospel without fear or shame.
This is a good prayer for me as well. I would rather serve someone than verbally proclaim the gospel to them. I hate confrontation. So... I would covet everyone's prayers that I would speak when I should and that I would speak well, with all truth and all love. This means speaking truth in love to my team members and truth in love to the people I meet in LA as well.

Declare His Glofy

1 Chronicles 16:23-33

I love these verses! The context is that the ark of the covenant, which was the symbol of God's presence, has just been brought into Jerusalem - the capital city. This was very symbollically significant. It signified that the presence of God was at the very center of the nation. This was certainly a cause for celebration and this hymn of praise would remind the people that God is worthy of all praise.
I love the words and imagery that David wrote and Asaph sang. I particularly like the phrases, "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise..." I could live on those words for a very long time. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.
I need to be reminded again and again of the joy of knowing God and knowing God is with me. His presence is a the very center of my life. In some mysterious way he dwells in me and I in him. My faith is dull or dreary. My faith and my life are full of joy because I am filled by God. I don't live in the experience of that enough.

blessed to be a blessing

Genesis 12:1-3

The key word in this passage is blessing. Once Abraham left his homeland, this blessing was unconditional - it didn't depend at all on Abraham's performance, faithfulness or character. It depended only on God's character and faithfulness. It is a completely one-sided covenant. This speaks very much of God's grace. Any covenant that would have depended on Abraham would have ultimately failed because Abraham, being a fallen human, would have messed it up somehow. God, knowing this, provides a covenant that doesn't depend on humans at all.
It seems that the children of Abraham have focused mostly on the fact that God will bless the descendants of Abraham and have mostly missed the reason they were blessed: to display God's glory in such a way that others would be attracted to God, adopted as children of Abraham and recipients of God's blessing.
So, this means that all I have been given is supposed to be used in some way that allows others to clearly see the glory of God. When I go to LA, I must remember that I am there to be a blessing to others, not just to receive a blessing from others (i.e. to have a good experience). And, when I come home, I must remember that I was blessed by going to LA in order that I can be a blessing to those who didn't get to go, allowing them to enter into and share my experience.

Alive In Christ

2 Corinthians 4:5-12

The key words in this passage are: light, death and life. The main idea is that Paul and his companions are serve others in order to display the glory of God. His glory is displayed in "jars of clay" so that the glory is even bigger in contrast to the drab, glory-less container it is carried in. This is like what jewelers will often do: display a diamond against non-flashy backdrop so that the glory of the diamond stands out even more. Paul's words here echoe the words of John the Baptist regarding Jesus: "I must decrease and he must increase." Paul takes it even further: "I am dying so that Christ may come alive in you."
I have a hard time identifying with the section about being hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. I don't think I've ever really experienced this in my life. Even on mission trips and even when facing some hardships, I don't know if I would ever describe my life in these terms. However, I can receive comfort from the sentiment knowing that if I ever do face a situation similar to Paul's that I will never be crushed, abandoned or destroyed.
As I prepare for LA, I must remember that the glory of Christ is paramount. Even if it means injury or death to me, as long as Christ is glorified, my mission is accomplished. Even if it means that I must serve and take the low position, as long as Christ is glorified, my mission is accomplished. Even if it means that no one notices or encourages me, as long as Christ is glorified, my mission is accomplished. The glory of Christ is my sole purpose.

Prepare Your Mind

1 Peter 1:13-16

There are several key words and significant statements in these four verses: minds, alert, sober, hope, grace, obedient children, do not conform, be holy. Peter contrasts what we are now (obedient children who have alert and sober minds) to what we were then (living in ignorance). He contrasts following Jesus (be holy) with conforming to "evil desires" (which echoes Paul's language in Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed..."). The two main commands are 1) set your hope on grace and 2) be holy.
This section starts with "therefore" which means that the argument Peter makes in this section is based on the truth of the previous section. Looking back, I think Peter is saying "Because the good news message of grace that Jesus revealed to this world is so great and valuable, you should set your hope on that grace and be holy."
From this passage I am reminded that God is holy. He is completely different than anything in creation. Yes, humans are made in his image (not physical image for God is Spirit and has no body) and therefore we reflect some of the characteristics of God: creativity, love, justice, mercy, grace, patience, etc. But we are such poor reflections. God is holy - he is in a league all by himself. There is nothing that compares to him. Too often I make God according to my image. I diminish his glory by making him smaller or less than he really is. God is indescribable. Words fail to properly display how great, how perfect, how pure, how different, how holy he is.
I am called to be holy. Often I take this to mean that I am called to be pure and strive for a standard of perfection. This is only part of the picture. I am called to be different, to stand out and to be set apart. I have been sanctified which means that my sole purpose is to serve God. Let me not waste my breath, my energy, my focus or my time on anything that does not bring God glory.
How does this prepare me for L.A.? The truth is that L.A. act like a small picture of all of life. I will only have limited time to spend in L.A. so I don't want to waste it. I want to take advantage of every opportunity to learn, to serve, to grow and to glorify Christ. The same goes for my life. I only have limited time. Let me not waste it!

A Purpose Driven Life

Ephesians 2:10

This verse shows the role of works in my salvation. It is in the context of a great paragraph from Paul about how I was once dead in my sins but God has made me alive in Christ and raised me up in Christ to a heavenly position. He did this, not really for my good but so that I might be a trophy of his grace. So that people and spirits would look at me - more accurately, look at the Church - and have their jaws hit the floor in awe of God's amazing grace. I, Paul continues, was not saved by works but by the incredible gift of God in Christ so that I could do good works that God has prepared for me to do even before the beginning of time. Wow! The point Paul is making is that works doesn't result in salvation; salvation results in works.
I think there are is a problem with the way I usually read this verse. I usually read the "you" in this verse as singular. In the first person it would read, "I am God's masterpiece or handiwork." However, Paul is writing to a church in this letter and in the context, it is clear that Paul is talking in the plural. This means that in the first person it would read, "We are God's masterpiece." God's glory is displayed in a much greater way in the Church than in the individual. While it was certainly part of God's plan to save me, the greatness of his plan, his grace and his glory is seen in the big plan to save the Church.
So what does this mean for me? Well, first of all it gives me a great picture of God. His plan is amazing. His grace is astounding. When I step back from my individualistic view of faith and see the bigger agenda that God has, I simply have to stand in awe of him. Second, it means that the good works that God has prepared in advance for us is really the whole agenda he has for the Church through out history all around the world. This means that as I go to L.A., which is big from my perspective, that I am a part of something even bigger. It also means that God has something for me and the rest of the team to do in L.A. that is vital to his mission being accomplished in this world by the Church.

Should I Not Be Concerned?

Jonah 4:1-11

This takes place after Jonah has gone to Nineveh and warned them that God's judgement was going to fall on them. The population responded by repenting and mourning and God had mercy on the city and did not bring his judgement on it. Jonah gets all pouty. He tells God, "I knew that's what you were going to do!" He makes it clear that he really wanted Nineveh to be destroyed - in fact that's the reason he didn't want to go in the first place. Most preachers I've heard say that Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh because he was scared: it was a violent city and had a reputation for doing nasty things to people who where from Israel and claimed to speak on behalf of God. The reality is, Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh because he didn't want them to repent and experience God's mercy. Which is sort of ironic since Jonah had just been shown incredible mercy himself.
This reminds me of some of the preaching and talk I've heard from Christians. Particularly in regards to Hollywood (which is especially relevant since that's where I'm headed this summer), it seems that they are gleefully waiting for God to pour out his judgement on the people there. God makes it clear to Jonah and to the rest of us that he is very concerned for the people who live in Nineveh and in Hollywood and in Ottawa and anywhere else that judgement junkies like to turn their attention. If God is so concerned about the great cities and the people who live there, then, as his child, I think I should be as well.
Father, please give me your heart of compassion for the people - even those who are directly opposed to your message, standard and kingdom. Remind me often of how much I have been forgiven and let me extend that same grace, forgiveness and mercy to others in your name.

The Nations

* I am taking a little break from doing my journey through Matthew to do devo's with my mission team. I'll pick Matthew back up towards the end of July.

Isaiah 49:1-6
There is a double meaning to what is written here. The first meaning is pretty surface: Isaiah is writing as the nation of Israel personified. The second meaning is only made clear in looking back through history, particularly through the cross. When I do that, it seems like all these things that are being said of Israel could be said of the Messiah. In fact, in some cases, it fits better as pointing to the Messiah. For example, in verse 6 where God says that it is too small thing a for his servant to restore Israel alone - God has bigger plans for his servant. He will be a light to the Gentiles and bring salvation to them as well.
First, I am struck by God's concern for the whole world. In the Old Testament, I too often limit his focus and concern to Israel but even there I can see God's plan for the whole world: Israel was supposed to be such an example to the other nations of what it was like to live only under the rule of God that the other nations would want to submit to God and be a part of his kingdom as well. Obviously God's concern for all the nations continues today. As I prepare to go to L.A., I pray that I will have God's heart for the people. He wants all people to know and respond to his glory. I can play a part in making his glory known.
Secondly, I am struck by the sovreignty of God. Before Israel was a nation, God already called it and had a purpose for it. Before Jesus was born on earth, God already had a plan. The same goes for me. God has a plan for my life and has had this plan from before I was even born. Part of his plan apparently involves me going to L.A. this summer. I wonder what he has waiting for me there.