Tag Archive | Nashville Rescue Mission

Chaplain’s Corner – I AM the Truth

Oct22

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).

There was an interesting exchange between Jesus and Pilate when Jesus was brought before him. Pilate presented the accusation as he had heard it from the Jewish leadership. Then, “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’ ‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’ ‘What is truth?’ retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him.’” (John 18:36-38).

“What is truth?” asked Pilate. And that is the question we should be continually asking.

All of Jesus’ I AM statements are supremely important for us to believe and receive in order to have eternal life. But there is one that seems to be foundational for our understanding of all the others, and that is that Jesus is the Truth.

It is telling that the arch enemy, Satan, is known by his dishonesty and deceit. Jesus told the Jews who were challenging his claim to be God’s son, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

What is truth?

Truth is about honesty. All school children in my day grew up learning that George Washington, the father of our country, could not tell a lie about chopping down that cherry tree. But truth is about so much more than honesty in admitting our wrongdoing, or even about our honest testimony in court as in “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor” (the ninth commandment).

The subject of truth is important to consider because of all the deceit that surrounds us. We’ve all heard about “fake news.” Most of us are now savvy enough, or cynical enough, not to believe everything we hear or read about current events. How sad that is that there are so few trusted news sources. This is not a new thing. Even in the Old Testament, “Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.” (Isaiah 59:5). How can we know what really is the truth?

And while the spread of fake news is intentional, there are other unintentional sources of untruth. This one gets rather personal, but my brothers and I used to joke about our dad “rewriting history.” Don’t get me wrong, my dad was a wonderful Christian man. But his memory was distorted. Clearly, there were things that he remembered about my childhood that were distinctly different from how I remembered it. I have since learned that our brains can be rewired. If we tell ourselves something enough times, our brain will “remember” it as if it happened that way rather than how it actually happened. Knowing that, I can’t really be sure if Dad was wrong or if it was me who was wrong about events from our past, but clearly, one, or maybe even both of us, misremembered. What is truth?

And then, perhaps worst of all, are those who tell us that truth does not matter. Your truth does not have to agree with my truth so long as you are true to yourself. This is called relativism, and it is deadly. “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Romans 1:18).

I don’t know about you, but all this really alarms me. If there’s one thing I have learned, it is that there cannot be multiple conflicting truths. Either young George chopped down the cherry tree, or he didn’t. Either the U.S. landed on the moon in 1969, or we didn’t. Either Dad’s car broke down so that we couldn’t take that trip, or it didn’t. And finally, there can be only one Creator; there can only be one Sovereign God.  Everyone and everything else are created by the one true Creator; everyone and everything else is subject to the one true God who is Sovereign over all.

So, in this culture of falsity, fake news, deceit, corruption, and even fading memories, where can we safely and reliably turn to for The Truth? You know where I’m going. The Bible is the source of knowledge about Truth. It is the filter by which we sift out all the conflicting information that bombards us. It is the lens with which we examine everything. The Bible is True. Jesus is the Truth. Jesus is the Word. The Word is Truth.

  • The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
  • For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).
  • Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we must stay in the Word. It is our only reliable source of life-giving truth:

  • Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (Psalm 25:5).
  • But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come (John 16:13).
  • Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace (Romans 6:13-15).
  • This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:3-5).

And just a few more words to those of us who minister to others (and that’s all of us):

  • If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed (1 Timothy 4:6).
  • Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
  • Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).

“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does” (Psalm 33:4).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – I AM the Way

Oct15

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

This series of devotions has been focused on Jesus’ “I AM” statements. There are seven in the gospel of John:

  1. “I AM the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51)
  2. “I AM the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
  3. “I AM the door.” (John 10:7)
  4. “I AM the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)
  5. “I AM the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14)
  6. “I AM the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
  7. “I AM the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5)

If, when you were a child, your mom or dad had told you that they were leaving (and maybe they did), you would have been distraught. Hopefully they told you they would come back to get you. You would have done anything to find a way to be reconciled to them. During the Last Supper, after Judas had been dismissed, Jesus told the remaining disciples that he was going away. He told them they couldn’t follow him this time, but that they would be able to follow him later. The disciples were indeed distraught; Jesus then comforted them with these words:

“’Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:1-6).

According to the Oxford Dictionary, as a noun, the word “way” can mean either

  1. a method, style, or manner of doing something, or
  2. road, track, path, or street for traveling along.

Jesus is THE WAY – Thomas was honest when he told Jesus that he was confused about where Jesus was going and the way to get there. Jesus told Thomas and the others that he was going to His Father’s house, and that he would take us to be with him. Today, we use our various navigational systems as the method for figuring out how to get somewhere, and they usually tell us the best road or path to take. Jesus is our navigation system and the path we take—following Him is how we will get to that wonderful heavenly mansion with our name on it.

Interesting side note: Early Christians identified themselves with Jesus by calling themselves the Way.

  • “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priestand asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2).
  • And in Acts 19:23, in Ephesus, “About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.”
  • In Paul’s testimony to Felix, the Roman Governor: “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets” (Acts 24:14).

Navigational systems sometimes give us alternative ways in the event of traffic. Sometimes you can choose your path—fastest in time or shortest in distance. Jesus is the Way; the Word is our navigation system, the path, by which we will achieve eternal life with our heavenly Father. Jesus is THE WAY, not the shortest, the fastest, the best. He is the ONLY WAY. Let us continually seek him as David did when he wrote “Teach me your way, Lord” (Psalm 27:11).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – I AM the Door

Oct8

“I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:7,9).

Doors are important. Doors provide privacy. Doors provide security. Most of us shut and lock our doors, at least at night, to be sure we are safe. We even describe being outside as “out of doors.” The difference between inside and outside in this context is a door.

Doors also provide access. You want the correct door. If you are going to an office building or a school, for example, you are likely to be concerned about which door you enter. It is such a relief to find the right door, and to find that it is unlocked; and that when you enter, you have found the right place.

Adam and Eve had to have been traumatized to find they were locked out of the Garden of Eden after they sinned. “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24).

On the other hand, after entering the ark along with all the animals, Noah and his family were probably relieved when “the Lord shut him in” (Genesis 7:16b). They had built the ark according to God’s instructions, probably with some wonderment. Then the floodwaters came, a phenomenon they had never-before experienced, and which must have been frightening. But as relieved as Noah and his family may have been, just think how hopeless all the remaining people must have felt as they saw the floodwaters rising and the door to the ark shut tight.

When Moses was instructed to build the tabernacle to house the ark of the covenant, we again find cherubim, now guarding the Most Holy Place. This time images of cherubim were woven into the fabric of the veil or thick curtain, a “door” of sorts which served as a barrier to make sure that man could not carelessly and irreverently enter into God’s awesome presence. “The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.” (Exodus 26:33b) “Aaron must wear it (a special robe) when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die” (Exodus 28:35).

And then, when Jesus died on the cross, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51a). Now, according to Hebrews 10:19-20, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body….” This access, which had been denied since Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden, is now available because of Jesus’ death on the cross.

Now, not only has Jesus opened the way for us to enter into his presence by his death on the cross, but He is also seeking us. In Revelation 3:20, he invites us to let him in. Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (And if you are following the I AM theme in this series of devotions, remember that the first devotion was on Jesus as the Bread of Life. So, we are continuing that eating/food metaphor also.) Jesus not only knocks on the door, He is the door. And He watches over us as a shepherd to protect his flock from predators.

It was our sin that created the barrier to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, to the ark for everyone except Noah and his family, and to the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle. And it was Jesus who tore down the barrier, who became the door to eternal life by his atoning death on the cross. “I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – I AM the Light of the World

Oct1

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9)

We learned in elementary school that our sun is the origin of our light, and that even the light from the moon is only reflected light. So how can it be that God spoke light into existence even before he created the sun, moon, and stars? Genesis 1:1-5 reads:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness he called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”

It was not until the fourth day of creation that He created the sun, moon, and stars. How can it be? It is because God himself is the light. “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

Fast forward to the Book of Revelation at the end of the Bible when the new heaven and earth is revealed. The new Jerusalem comes down from heaven and “shines with the glory of God.” “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelation 21:23).

Light represents God’s glory. In both James 1:17 and 1 John 1:5, God’s essence and personality are equated with all that is “light.” In the Bible, darkness often symbolically refers to evil, sin, and corruption. Therefore, light represents goodness, honesty, purity, wisdom, glory, and love—everything that God is. (Reference)

Therefore, Jesus acknowledged his divinity, his role in creation, and his role in our redemption when he said in John 8:12 – “I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”

What is the takeaway for us as believers? Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that as believers and disciples, we are the light of the world. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Like the moon that can only shine the reflected light of the sun, we as believers can only shine the reflected light of God the Father and God the Son. This is important because Jesus told us to let our light shine before men so that our good deeds can be seen which will give glory to our Heavenly Father.

Fellow believers, we are to shine our lights!! Even though we are mere mortals, we have the power of light in us. The physical nature and power of light is such that one drop of light can dispel the darkness. We have such a unique and valuable opportunity as Mission staff to be the light of Christ to those we serve; to dispel the darkness that plagues their lives; and to provide Hope for Today, Hope for Tomorrow, and Hope for Eternity.

 “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6b).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – I AM the Bread of Life

Sep23

“Taste and see that the Lord is good….” (Psalm 34:8).

God in his wisdom created man with a need for bread. Every nationality has different dietary customs, but I think each one has some equivalent of bread on the menu. It is universal. The first mention of bread in the Bible was when “…Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High… (Genesis 14:18). Shortly thereafter, in Genesis 18:6, “… Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. ‘Quick,’ he said, ‘get three seahs (approx. 27 quarts) of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.’”

And we all know of how God provided manna (bread) for the entire Exodus journey from Mt. Sinai until they crossed over the Jordan River to the Promised Land (Exodus 16:35). God sustained Elijah and the widow of Zarephath for three and one-half years through the miraculous provision of oil and flour (1 Kings 17:13-14). Those are just a couple of the stories where bread plays a major part in the action.

Bread was even an element of the Old Testament sacrificial system. Grain offerings were to be baked into cakes of bread for the sacrificial fellowship or peace offerings as described in Leviticus 7:11-16. According to the website GotQuestions.org, “Most sacrifices in the Old Testament system were not eaten by worshipers, but the peace offering was meant to be eaten—only a portion of the animal or grain brought to the altar was burned; the rest was given back to the worshiper and to the poor and hungry. The beautiful picture here is of God’s provision for His people, both physically and spiritually. His grace and goodness are present throughout the offerings. In the peace offering, God was providing what we need: a way to thank Him for His goodness and physical sustenance.”

When we get to the New Testament, the best-known story about bread is when Jesus fed the five thousand with five small barley loaves and two fishes (John 6). And when the crowd of people followed him to the other side of the lake, Jesus challenged them saying that they were only following him because he had filled their bellies. He went on to tell them that they should be seeking food that would not spoil—food that would endure to eternal life. “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’‘Sir,’ they said, ‘always give us this bread.’”

Then, in verse 35, “Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’”

As bread sustains physical life, so Christ offers and sustains spiritual life. He is nourishment for our soul, but we must partake to get the benefit. The bread on the shelves of the grocery store does us no good. The bread in our pantry does us no good either. It is not until we consume it that it nourishes us, that it saves our lives.

The breaking and eating of bread is especially good when we acknowledge the communal aspect. I admit that I used to eat far too many meals in my car (any is too many). It is not mindful, and the nutritionists will tell you that mindful eating is healthier. Food is meant to be enjoyed. We are meant to savor our food, to be aware of where it comes from. Jesus includes this acknowledgement of our Provider in his model prayer when he says “Give us the day our daily bread”. And during the Last Supper, Jesus models gratitude for his meal when he prays. “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’”

So, whether we are alone in our car or around the table with family or friends, let us use the actual act of eating to invite Jesus to join in the celebration of our meal, to commune with us. Let us use this time to remember that while we are dependent upon God and therefore thankful for our food, we are even more dependent upon the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus and therefore thankful for the spiritual nourishment that comes from our Savior.

Break Thou the Bread of Life

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Who Is God?

Sep17

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)

In the Book of Exodus, when Moses meets God at the burning bush, God states his own name for the first time. He is telling Moses that this is my name, and this is how you are to introduce me to my people. It is an all-inclusive name. It conveys eternity: He is in every time, past, present, and future. It conveys self-existence; He is dependent upon no one and nothing for his existence. God is the Creator, and everything other thing that has ever existed was created by him. Unfathomable, unsearchable, truly awesome.

Essential and foundational to our faith is knowing God. Yet what a challenge! God is so much more than our human minds can grasp. In Romans 11:33-34 (quoting from Isaiah 40;13) – Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” This is the Apostle Paul speaking. If he is in awe of God, how much more should we be.

The best way to know about God is to read his Word to us in the Bible. We can read account after account of how God has accomplished great and good things; how he has made and kept his promises. Even Balaam, a pagan prophet, acknowledged that “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19). I especially like how our CEO, Glenn Cranfield, puts it. “God is who he says he is, and he can do what he says he will do.”

In the New Testament, when the crowds challenged Jesus as to his identity, they referenced Abraham. “Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” (John 8:53). Jesus replied: “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58). With this statement, Jesus invoked his own divinity as the second person of the Trinity. In other chapters of the book of John, Jesus makes seven “I AM” statements of his own:

  1. “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51)
  1. “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
  2. “I am the door.” (John 10:7)
  3. “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)
  4. “I am the good shepherd.” (John 10:11, 14)
  5. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
  6. “I am the true vine.” (John 15:1, 5)

Finally, three times in the Book of Revelation, Jesus tells John: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13). In subsequent Chaplain Corner devotionals, we will explore these “I AM” statements of Jesus and how they relate to the message of the entire Bible of redemption and reconciliation.

The best way to know about God is to study His Word. The best way to know God is to believe what his Word says to us and to put that belief into practice. What does this mean for you and me? It makes all the difference to me when I pray. If I begin my prayer as Jesus instructed, “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,” and when I ponder who he is and how h has kept his promises throughout all time, then I can pray with confidence, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” God is who he says he is, and he can do what he says he will do.

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Cleanliness and Godliness

Sep10

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).

Look closely at this this opening verse. It does not mention cleanliness in the list of godly aspirations, yet I’ve heard this all my life: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” So why am I writing about it? For two completely opposite reasons.

Reason one: We must beware of taking as biblical any statement just because it sounds good. While this phrase is often attributed to the well-known preacher, John Wesley, you will not find it in the Bible. Supposedly, it was a reference to being pure, but that is not the intent whenever I hear it. It reminds me of so many other statements from culture or psychology that we have had ingrained in our lives as to think they are biblical, such as:
• God helps those who help themselves.
• God will not give you more than you can handle.
• God wants us to be happy.
• Bad things happen to good people.
• All good things come to those who wait.
• This too shall pass.
• Money is the root of all evil.
• Charity begins at home.
• The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
• When you die, God gains another angel.
• We all go to the same place when we die.
• To thine own self be true.

Sometimes, these sayings are a slight twist on Scripture, maybe they contain just a grain of truth; but they will throw us off track if we are not careful. Some of these sayings we as believers know to be false, but so many nonbelievers take them to heart. I am not going to explain each one; I encourage you to do your own research. In fact, I encourage you to listen with discernment to filter all you hear through the wisdom of the Bible. To do this, takes a diligent study of the Scriptures. Strive to be like the Bereans, who didn’t even take Paul on his word without thorough examination of the Scriptures: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11).

Reason Two: While the state of cleanliness is never biblically said to be next to godliness, the Bible commends cleanliness in many ways:
• Cleanliness is an element of stewardship, which is a command given to all humankind, beginning in the Garden of Eden when God commanded Adam to “subdue the earth.”
• There are many biblical references to “clean” and “unclean.” These references are designations of acceptable and unacceptable elements to be used in worship. This could refer to types of food, certain animals, the condition of a person, etc. God made clear distinctions for what he considered to be clean, and for what we would say today is holy.
• Jesus used the idea of being clean to convey holiness. He condemned those who were hypocritical, just wanting to look good on the inside. Instead, we should work to be clean from the inside out. “Then the Lord said to him: ‘Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness’” (Luke 11:39).
• In this sense, we are exhorted to purity (spiritual cleanliness) throughout the Bible. The Psalmist wrote: “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god” (Psalm 24:3-4). Paul told Timothy: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

I can’t leave this topic without making a distinction between being clean and the act of cleaning itself. Many of you are employed by the Mission in the ministry of cleaning. You are cleaning up for, and after, the least of these—in their sickness, in their addiction, in their helplessness, and sometimes just because. And you do it with a servant’s heart! It is clear that your effort in this work is based on your gratitude and love for Jesus and for those whom He loves. In so many ways, your work is the most powerful testimony of all. Thank you.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

In Christ,
Judy
e does not mention cleanliness in the list of godly aspirations, yet I’ve heard this all my life: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”  So why am I writing about it? For two completely opposite reasons.

Reason one: We must beware of taking as biblical any statement just because it sounds good. While this phrase is often attributed to the well-known preacher, John Wesley, you will not find it in the Bible. Supposedly, it was a reference to being pure, but that is not the intent whenever I hear it. It reminds me of so many other statements from culture or psychology that we have had so ingrained in our lives as to think they are biblical, such as:

  • God helps those who help themselves.
  • God will not give you more than you can handle.
  • God wants us to be happy.
  • Bad things happen to good people.
  • All good things come to those who wait.
  • This too shall pass.
  • Money is the root of all evil.
  • Charity begins at home.
  • The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
  • When you die, God gains another angel.
  • We all go to the same place when we die.
  • To thine own self be true.

Sometimes, these sayings are a slight twist on Scripture, maybe they contain just a grain of truth; but they will throw us off track if we are not careful. Some of these sayings we as believers know to be false, but so many nonbelievers take them to heart. I am not going to explain each one; I encourage you to do your own research. In fact, I encourage you to listen with discernment to filter all you hear through the wisdom of the Bible. To do this, takes a diligent study of the Scriptures. Strive to be like the Bereans, who didn’t even take Paul on his word without thorough examination of the Scriptures: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11).

Reason Two: While the state of cleanliness is never biblically said to be next to godliness, the Bible commends cleanliness in many ways:

  • Cleanliness is an element of stewardship, which is a command given to all humankind, beginning in the Garden of Eden when God commanded Adam to “subdue the earth.”
  • There are many biblical references to “clean” and “unclean.” These references are designations of acceptable and unacceptable elements to be used in worship. This could refer to types of food, certain animals, the condition of a person, etc. God made clear distinctions for what he considered to be clean, and for what we would say today is holy.
  • Jesus used the idea of being clean to convey holiness. He condemned those who were hypocritical, just wanting to look good on the inside. Instead, we should work to be clean from the inside out. “Then the Lord said to him: ‘Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness’” (Luke 11:39).
  • In this sense, we are exhorted to purity (spiritual cleanliness) throughout the Bible. The Psalmist wrote: “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god” (Psalm 24:3-4). Paul told Timothy: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

I can’t leave this topic without making a distinction between being clean and the act of cleaning itself. Many of you are employed by the Mission in the ministry of cleaning. You are cleaning up for, and after, the least of these—in their sickness, in their addiction, in their helplessness, and sometimes just because. And you do it with a servant’s heart! It is clear that your effort in this work is based on your gratitude and love for Jesus and for those whom He loves. In so many ways, your work is the most powerful testimony of all. Thank you.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Prayer of the Tabernacle, pt 4

Sep3

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” Proverbs 18:10).

We are finishing the Prayer of the Tabernacle, a suggestion for how to spend some intentional time with God in prayer, guided by how the OT Tabernacle/ Temple was set up. The setup of the tabernacle was intended to draw one into a worshipful experience, so it works well as a model of prayer.

Imagine walking through the temple gates and immediately experiencing the wonder and glory of God and His majesty, compelling us to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” Then, recalling the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins, we ask God to cleanse us from sin so that we can prepare our hearts to follow him. We are then reminded to call on the Holy Spirit as our counselor and comforter, and to call on Jesus as the Word and the bread of life. (Here’s a link to last week’s devotional in case you missed it.)

Now, as we have prepared our hearts to meet with God, we come to the Altar of Incense which stands at the entrance to the Holy of Holies where God’s presence dwelled. Here we worship the names of God. During this time of your prayer, thank God for making His presence available to you. Praise his names and worship Him specifically for who He is and how He has moved in your life. Here are some examples:

  • Jehovah-Rapha: My Healer
  • Jehovah-Jireh: My Provider
  • Jehovah-Shalom: My Peace
  • Jehovah-Shammah: My Present Help

And after acknowledging the power, mercy, and grace of God, we come to the Holy of Holies, the innermost place where God dwelled. Before Jesus died on the cross, only the High Priest was able to enter this place to make intercessory prayer. Because of Jesus’ atoning death, we look to Him as our Great High Priest; and with his Resurrection He lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:24-25). And not only that, but we also share in this priestly role and are able to make intercession for others. What a privilege to come to God through Jesus in this way—to solicit prayers for us and for others (Ephesians 6:18).

However you choose to pray, along with your prayers throughout your day, it is well to also devote some intentional time to spend with God in confession, worship, thanksgiving, and intercession.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:1-4).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Prayer of the Tabernacle, pt 3

Aug27

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from guilty consciences and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22).

As indicated by the title, this is the third of a four-part series on prayer, based on the OT tabernacle system. I really don’t have trouble praying throughout the day whenever a need comes to mind or even when I want to thank God for something. But I do struggle at times to have a dedicated time of prayer, to spend time with God. My mind wanders and, well, I end up making a grocery list or dare I admit it, playing Wordle on my phone. If you are like me, you can benefit from some structure in your prayer time.

To help with structure, we are developing a model of prayer based on walking through the tabernacle–or later on–the temple. Imagine walking through the temple gates and immediately sensing the awe, wonder, and glory of God and His majesty. Then, seeing the fixtures that recall the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins, and remind us to ask God to cleanse us from sin so that we can prepare our hearts to follow him. (Here’s a link to last week’s devotional, parts 1 and 2, in case you missed it).

As we continue through the tabernacle grounds, we come to a huge candlestick with seven-branches. The fire coming from each candle represents the Holy Spirit and also how we are called to be light in the world’s darkness. When Jesus ascended to heaven, he sent the gift of the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate and Counselor, to enable us to do His will. We cannot do what He has called us to do without the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. So, during this time of prayer, pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit and the fruits that result: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Also pray that you will use the spiritual gifting God has given you through the Holy Spirit to minister to those around you.

Next, we come to a table with twelve loaves of bread. This bread represents the Word of God. You may recall what Jesus told Satan during his 40 days in the Wilderness. Satan tempted Jesus, who had been fasting for 40 days, to use his power to turn the rocks into bread to satisfy his hunger. Jesus replied: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4). Let us not only dabble but truly feast on God’s word. It will nourish us for the work God has called us to do.

In summary, as you pray, remembering what Christ has done for you, also remember and call upon the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to strengthen you and prepare you to live and serve in God’s Kingdom.

Reminder: this is just a model for a dedicated time of prayer. Imagining walking through the tabernacle area with its stations and symbols can help us to have a rich and meaningful prayer time with God. However you choose to pray, along with your prayers throughout your day, also devote intentional time to spend with God in worship and thanksgiving.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18a).

In Christ,

Judy

Chaplain’s Corner – Prayer of the Tabernacle, pt 2

Aug20

“Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece and overlay the altar with bronze. Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, and its shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks and firepans…. Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it” (Exodus 27:1-3; 30:18).

We are advised and encouraged to pray at all times about all things, but having a dedicated prayer time each day really helps to set the stage for these ongoing prayers. Last week we began working through a guide to pray based on the tabernacle/temple system from the Old Testament. (I recommend that you refer to last week’s Chaplain’s Corner if you didn’t get a chance to read it.) It is helpful to think about entering this dedicated time of prayer as entering into a physical meeting space, and we are using the OT tabernacle as our model. As we studied last week, we first enter the gates to the large tent/courtyard that is the tabernacle with praises and thanksgiving (Psalm 100). That’s how we begin our dedicated time of prayer.

The next object we see in the tabernacle is the bronze altar upon which the daily sacrifices were made. This should help us to remember that as we approach the throne of God, we must first ponder the significance of the cross. As believers on this side of the cross, we love to think about our risen Lord and Savior. And that is a good thing. But we must never forget the price He paid to redeem us. It was Jesus’ sacrifice of his own life that has allowed us the privilege of entering into the throne room of God. “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:50-51). David writes of the benefits of the cross in Psalm 103:1-5: salvation, forgiveness, healing, redemption, satisfaction, and renewal. So, in your dedicated prayer time, ponder the cross.

The next object we see in the courtyard is a huge wash basin. This is a reminder of who we were before we received Jesus’ salvation, before we were washed in Jesus’ blood; and it is a reminder to exam ourselves regularly and continue to seek ongoing confession and sanctification. Psalm 139:23-24 have become regular verses for my personal meditation: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Jesus tells us to take up our cross daily and follow him (Luke 9:23). Paul writes in Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” As we ponder the cross and Jesus’ command to follow him, we incline our hearts to Him, we seek to commit our desires, our eyes, our ears, our minds, and our tongues; our hands, feet and our paths to Him, in praise and a desire to be more like Him. This is similar to the part of the Lord’s prayer where we pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

I pray that this guide will help you in your prayer life. Practice these first three steps, as outlined last week and this week, and stay tuned for the next elements of this tabernacle guide to prayer.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:4-5).

In Christ,

Judy