Being under the radar…I send thee this.  Why do you do what you do?

A Fading Glory – A daily devotion from your friends at RayStedman.org

“Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?” 2 Corinthians 3:7-8  

There is a kind of glory and attractiveness about the old covenant symbolized here by the brightness of Moses’ face when he came down from the mountaintop with the tablets of the Law. God caused his face to shine, not anything Moses did himself. But God also made it fade, because He wanted to teach something by that. It was a fading glory, a symbol of something that every one of us has experienced at one time or another. It is the attractiveness to us of a chance to show how much we can do with what we have. Did you ever feel that? In so many arenas of life, someone is thinking, I’ve been trained for that. I have the skills. I have the gifts. Let me show what I can do. We make a great impression, but to whose credit? Ours. We are the ones being glorified.

Paul talks here now about the feeling of elation that accompanies an opportunity to show off our abilities. But the record of history shows that everybody trying to live on that basis ends up a day late and a dollar short. It is just not going to work. After a while it becomes dull and boring and routine, and death sets in. He calls that the ministry of death, a fading glory; it does not last. But when you discover a new principle, the principle of God-dependence, you realize that in using your native skills, abilities, and training, God will be at work. In depending on that, there is an excitement and a glory that is greater than the one you feel when you want to show off what you can do. Thus it will not be you, but God, who will accomplish things.

All those who try to live a life that is pleasing to God by self-effort always discover that they never quite make it, because they never know when they have done enough. A lady once said to me, When I go to bed at night I often wonder if I had tried just a little harder if maybe I could have done something that would have made God happy. But she never made it. Every night there was that feeling of, I didn’t quite measure up today. That is the ministry of condemnation. It is the result of trying to do it with your own resources, by your own efforts.

But Paul says, If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness(2 Corinthians 3:9). Righteousness means being fully accepted, having a sense of being approved by God, of being honored and cherished by Him. The nearest word I know to describe this is the word worth. God gives you a standing of worth. You don’t have to earn it; you start with it. God tells you already in the new covenant, I have loved you, I have forgiven you, I have cleansed you. I intend to use you; your life is significant. There is nothing more you can add to that.

Lord, l confess that I often have been like Moses, hiding behind a mask, covering up the fading glory of my own efforts. Grant me the grace to simply receive from You the gift of worth.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 NKJV

The long weekend provided us opportunity for several different kinds of adventures. Being free meant we could do what ever we wanted. Or not! So when the question, “what do you want to do now,” came up, we had lots of options. Since we hadn’t gone kayaking in a while, we chose to hit the water! It turned out to be quite an adventure.

We’ve kayaked the same water for years and it’s always a beautiful trip. This time, we saw an opening in the mangroves we hadn’t noticed before. A dark hidden spot that the sun hit just right, reveled water beyond the dark entryway. Thinking, “what’s this?” I forced my way under the branches and came out in a large area with a long canal ahead. Katie was right behind me!

We rowed, and sometimes paddled, to get through. Some spots were so overgrown that I had to break branches off to fit through. At one point a few spiders fell into my lap. But they were small. I was glad I was in front to get them because Katie would have screamed! I coached her through and she was right behind me. At one point, it was so tough, I thought she’d stay and wait as I went ahead. A couple minutes later, I heard her come up behind me. I smiled and thought, “tough woman!” But I should have known that!

There’s a difference, in my mind, between rowing and paddling. It doesn’t take a lot of work to row. But when I get into a tough spot, it can take a LOT of PADDLING to get me through. Though I don’t think it the OFFICIAL definition between the terms, it works for me! I’ve been though some tough stuff in life. Times where paddling was really the only way through!

The Word is Jesus. And He has a place He wants me to get to. But getting there takes HIS wisdom, instruction, and sometimes, admonition! That can means hard learning the hard way! You know…like a paddle! But I can tell you, going through under HIS direction ALWAYS leads me safely out… singing.

Where does the Master have YOU gROWing?

“Love not the world, neither the things in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” I John 2:15

This morning we awoke to an unintentional silence. If you didn’t live here everyday, you would never have noticed. But we do! And the absence of a particular sound that we have grown fond of, was disconcerting to say the least. One that needed immediate correction!

We have had a fountain beside our house for years! Several in fact. Over the years, the sight and sound of a fountain has grown on us. So much so that Katie sits opposite it every morning as she spends time with God. She can see and hear it through the sliding glass door as the sound soothes her spirit. That is, until this morning!

There are 3 spouts to our fountain, which makes the sound even more pronounced. Over time, they need to be ‘greased up’ so that the water will be repelled and easily flow through them. I use petroleum jelly. An oily grease that allows the water to slip right through and flow into the pot below. Thus…making the sound.

It may sound strange, but water and painted cement kinda-sorta mix. Eventually, the channels in the spouts get funky, moldy and collect stuff that impedes the water’s flow. As it does this, water spews in different directions and basically dumps out on the ground, emptying the fountain of water. It takes the oil to ‘slick it up’ again and keep the water doing what it is supposed to be doing.

In the Bible, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. I know God Personally, because I know His Son Jesus Christ. That means I ALSO know the Holy Spirit. When I apply God’s Word to my life, the Holy Spirit uses it to ‘slippery up’ my life so that the worldly water has a harder time sticking to me. Biblically, oil and joy are words that are also synonymous.

I like the sound my life makes, on the inside, when I am oily for Him. When I don’t notice the absent sound of God’s action in my life, or when I lose my joy, it is easy to get caught up in worldly things that only clog up my spirit and make me useless to Him and His purpose. Since we have been together for a very long time, it is easier to notice when things aren’t working as they should, and reach for the Oil!

So.. how worldly repellent are YOU? 

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17

One of the Ministries at our Church is what we call “The Corner.” Every Wednesday and Friday, from 9 to 10am, a group of us gather together at the corner of U.S. 41 and Laurel Road to hold up ‘Jesus Signs.’ Having been led to proclaim ‘The Gospel’ to our world, the signs are Bible verses and sayings that spread the Good News of Christ’s love to passers-by. Along the way, we have found some VERY interesting things. Literally!

In our little area, there is no place more busy. As people go about their day, ‘The Corner’ usually catches MOST of them along the way. And wherever there are people, there is stuff! Walking along the roadway, with eyes focused, turns up lots of it. We’ve seen garbage, tools, car parts and even a set of silverware! But the other day, what I found had me scratching my head!

I’ve found plenty of bolts, nuts, screws and nails on the street. But finding a ‘lock washer’ on the ground sparked a spiritual thought I just couldn’t shake. When that happens, I get the hint that God is trying to tell me something. So I try to pay attention.

‘Lock washers are designed to be tightened to a required torque beneath an ordinary fastener. They exert a spring tension that keeps the fastener from vibrating loose. They are often attached to the nut side of the fastener.’ That is the OFFICIAL definition anyway. To simplify it in my head, they simply lock and hold nuts and bolts together. Which begs the question…what was this particular lock washer doing… lying there all by itself? It’s entire purpose had been thwarted!

The Bible clearly says that ‘The Church’ is ‘The Body of Christ.’ This verse today gets more specific as to what Christ’s job and position really is. He not only CREATED all things, He HOLDS ALL THINGS TOGETHER! Which leaves me, eerily, scratching my head with questions. If that is the Son of God’s job, what’s He seemingly doing ‘over there’ all by Himself?

It is no secret that ‘The Church’ has been under attack, from the evil one, since its inception. Jesus even warned that CHURCH is where the battlefield would exist! As times quickly change and we see churches folding in record numbers, it seems that the attacks are now becoming personal! No longer THE CHURCH in general…but now THAT CHURCH in particular! Maybe this is where the lesson of the lock washer needs to be applied.

‘THE’ isolated lock washer that is supposed to hold all of us nuts together, must be APPLIED before HE can be effective! Just lying on the ground as people pass by does NOT absolve people from THEIR responsibility of discovering, applying and locking down the very thing that Christ promised us only HE could provide. Grace, unity, strength, wisdom, love, peace, mission… and a WHOLE bunch of other blessings many of us, sadly, don’t even understand!

Are YOU an isolated nut in need of a lock-down? Get Jesus!

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:15-16

Since Katie’s car was broken down, we took it, the night before, to the shop. We had to get up early so I could drop her off work at work and get to some appointments. It was a busy day, but nothing difficult. I mean, it wasn’t like I COULDN’T get around.

I started out at the church and did some work there and changed the LED sign. I dropped off a dozen doughnuts to the road crew for Jesus, and even got that extra cup of coffee I hadn’t had time for earlier! Creativity was flowing and I had fun developing the new signs. Then it was off to a couple stores, then to see a friend for some lessons.

I got home about 1:30 and changed into something comfy and did some studying for the upcoming Bible Study. I made some phone calls and, because I had time, even dozed off for a few moments. All in all it was a good day! Katie usually gets off work about 4pm and I felt like surprising her, so I made some coffee, lit about 5 smelly candles that she likes, then looked forward to her getting home. At 4:10 my phone rang. It was her. “Helloooo baby,” I said. “Did you forget about me?” she responded! I HAD! I was SUPPOSED to have PICKED HER UP!

It was a simple mistake that was remedied in about 10 minutes. But as I sat at the red light, embarrassed in my comfortable pajamas, I couldn’t figure how I could have forgotten about the object of my affection! Then I remembered this verse.

Isaiah was written about 700 years before Jesus came to earth. This particular chapter has His name written all over it. In fact, it perfectly prophecies that Jesus Christ will be the coming deliverer of Israel, and that the people He loves (this includes you and me) CANNOT be forgotten because WE are like a tattoo on His hand!

It doesn’t take a brainiac to see that the scar on His hand comes from Calvary. In fact, Jesus will be the ONLY person in eternity to even carry ANY scars. The cost of our sin left a mark that He PROUDLY wears as completed payment for our salvation. He wasn’t ashamed to pay it, either! I’m glad that Katie is a forgiving spouse, just like my Savior!

What is the object of YOUR affection?

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2 BSB

As Katie and I approached the table, the waitress began to set it up for us… a party of 3. It had been almost 2 years since we’d had dinner with our friend. I watched the door and saw her sheepishly scan the large room to find us. It was hard to determine it was her at first, since her hair was pulled back and she wore a mask. Waving, she saw us and almost immediately began to set the table!

I cannot tell you exactly how many years we had worked together in the same building. But it was THOUSANDS of hours. She knew my kids when they were kids! We had been working together when 911 happened! You get the idea. But when she came to our space, we weren’t sure what to do. Hug? Fist bump? Ask for a mask? And this was even before we started conversation, which started immediately!

I know her well enough to know she’d be cautious. Her politics were typically opposite of mine, and her religion was from a Catholic point of view. But she loves Jesus! And we are friends! That said, she was kind of warned by others that our meeting might be uncomfortable. They know Katie and our politics and religion, and even prompted her to ask about what WE thought! With that, the set up for our table conversation began!

After filling each other in on what and how everyone is doing, she said, “’so and so’ wanted me to ask you what you think about the President, Covid, masks and the vaccine?” The final and biggest question was, “Do you think ‘The Rapture’ is coming soon?” ‘Soon’ meant like this WEEK!

As we talked I could literally watch the stress drain from her face. And it WASN’T because she liked our opinion and answers to her questions. Rather, it was because of OUR subject basis. We talked about Jesus! We DID agree on the division, the craziness, the seeking of control and the labeling of everyone based upon politics and religion, But we NATURALLY flushed all that gunk down the sewer where it belongs and focused on what Hebrews 12:2 said to focus on! Jesus Christ! It was MARVELOUS!

When we parted we did so with smiles and hugs. And we promised to get together again SOON. It was a WONDERFUL time.

What do YOU think about?

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 2 Corinthians 10:13

The subject matter, at last writing, was the growing goldmine of trash at a house in the neighborhood. The bags and piles of potentially still usable stuff continued to grow and subside. That vacuum cleaner and bread maker MUST have actually worked, because within 24 hours they had been removed from the pile. But I DIDN’T mention the OTHER pile!

On the other side of the driveway a separate pile was started for ‘Yard Waste,’ the OFFICIAL name of the stuff as given by our local government. If you own a house that has trees, plants, brush or vegetation of any kind, you are well aware of this category and KNOW there are RULES on HOW to get rid of ‘Yard Waste!’ Clearly, this guy wasn’t following ‘The Way!’

The pile was a mountain! Tree cuttings and bushes had been thrown and left to accumulate at the curb. The other day I watched as the ‘Yard Waste’ truck stopped, and a representative placed a yellow “FOUL” sticker on the pile, then drove away. I KNEW what the sticker was because ‘I’ had experienced tagging myself. I felt bad for the offender, but there was nothing I could do. Like me, he had been ignorant, and now he wasn’t!

A friend of mine proudly told me he had invented a new term… “Predetermined Ignorance!” I believe his definition was of a person’s decision to remain ignorant, even in the face of upcoming reality. I could see the possibility in the infractor with the Yard Waste pile. What did he have to lose, even if he KNEW what the rules were? MAYBE they ‘d make an exception in HIS case! Hope is a big thing!

Truth be told, there are OFFICIALLY only 3 ways a homeowner can guarantee that Yard Waste will be picked up by the county. Bin, Bag or Bundle! There isn’t enough time to go into detail on HOW each of those methods MUST be followed. Having 2 properties, I am ALSO the proud owner of over a dozen trash cans I can use for such purposes! But while there may only be 3 OFFICIAL ways of Yard Waste elimination, there IS a FOURTH!

If one is smart and takes the proper steps, they CAN bypass the governmental system altogether! However THIS method eliminates ANY use of ‘Predetermined Ignorance’ as an excuse. It agrees that the pile IS the owners responsibility, and allows them to go to a private party for eradication! Naturally the payment is MUCH higher, but the hassle and work is assumed by the hired firm.

Jesus paid it all! I can bring my STUFF to Him and He will take it! He has His own manual for HOW to do that. But BEFORE He can help, I MUST agree and admit I have a problem in the first place! When it comes to trash, garbage or waste, I recommend Jesus Christ!

What’s YOUR way?

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

For the last few weeks I have been driving past, what many might consider, a goldmine! It started out small, but over the days, all kinds of stuff was added to the pile! As the pile size increased, so did the interest of all the neighbors. And for more reasons than 1.

Some interesting stuff ended up at the curb! I MISSED a couple scooters, a vacuum cleaner and a bread maker when I thought, “I’ll have a closer look at them next time!” Next time, they were gone! Which is good! I don’t need any of those things. I WASN’T going to grab the ‘almost full’ case of water! When rugs, chairs and other furniture started coming out at the hands of the landlord, it REALLY got trashy.

Soon, the talk of the neighbors wasn’t of curiosity as much as “when’s someone going to clean that mess up?” Though no one personally really knew the tenant, several neighbors gathered around mailboxes to voice their opinion of what kind of person the evictee was! The opinions weren’t good…for apparently valid reasons.

WE were evicted once! Though it wasn’t REALLY our fault. The landlady wanted to rent the apartment to her best friend instead. The change FORCED us to ‘MOVE ON’ with our lives to another state… which turned out to be an upward move! Likewise, I’ve rented to people over the years who I’ve had to evict! I now have at least 7 garbage cans, 8 hammers, a dozen screwdrivers and various kitchen tools. I also have, in storage, a 100 gallon fish tank (if you are interested)!

I’ve thought about it! If someone moves and doesn’t take something with them, did they really need, or treasure it, in the first place? As my kids have recently reminded me, MY junk is NOT going to be clutter that they will deal with. “You can set the dumpster right here!” will be their call! Thus… the former neighbor, I did not know, seems to be teaching me some lessons.  Like:

Life is too short and valuable to hold onto stuff that doesn’t matter! 

What I think is important, often isn’t. 

How big my junk pile is will have a lot to do with the opinion others have of me. 

Some folks will take my garbage more seriously than I do. 

But I think the biggest critic of my pile will probably be my landlord!  Jesus said that my heart will be where my treasure sets. If I let too much worldly ‘stuff’ settle around, it will distract me from the REAL treasure of Life…HIM! Is the Lord of my mansion asking ME to consider some of the stuff I’ve been piling up in my heart? Because I can’t figure out why my wife is smiling!!!!

Got Junk?  What’s in YOUR pile?

“For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29

It’s summer in Florida! Which means the heat and humidity are out early and in full force. Going ‘out there’ for ANY length of time means discomfort and plenty of sweating. WILLFULLY going ‘out there’ seems sheer madness. But that is just what a few of us ‘Jesus guys’ were planning to do!

Almost a year and a half ago we felt compelled by God to stand on a very busy corner, near our church, and hold up Gospel signs. Nothing advertising our church or anything else. Just people proclaiming Jesus’ love to our world, along with an invitation to a new life in Him! As the sweat started to drip in my eyes, I couldn’t help but look heavenward… and snicker!

Jesus told His Church to go into the world and spread the Gospel and make disciples. He DIDN’T say it would be fun or easy! There is no doubt that we are taking that command literally! As we stand in the hot sun and talk among ourselves, we grow as His disciples… together. We also learn that God’s calling has a price!  Getting mad at Him only gets me more attention and heat FROM Him

I watched yesterday as one of our guys shifted to lean against a concrete light pole, the shade and support it lent seemed to be what he needed. He hadn’t been feeling very well lately and probably should have stayed home. But there he was! I haven’t felt very well myself lately, but like him, I did not entertain the thought of canceling out on The Master of the Universe! I prayed for both of us but noticed the sun did not relent! Thus the reason for my snicker!

God is a consuming fire! Like fire, He wants to consume ALL of me. That IS His end goal and He will NOT relent. He wants my life, my wife, my kids, my job, my attitude, my heart and my will… AND MORE! He does not negotiate, neither does He relent. He either gets ALL of me, or He will keep pushing every little button of my life until that one falls to His Lordship as well. Blood, sweat and tears are simply expected as payment.  

God’s price may seem high! To selfish people wanting their own way, like me sometimes, it is common to disregard Him or even pretend I didn’t hear His directive. Sweat then becomes the cause for a pity party instead of the Price. Having played on His team for so long, I have found that it is easier just to wipe my brow and snicker at that ol’ sun. Because I’ve learned, HIS reward is out of this world!

What is God ‘sweating out’ of YOU?