Be Still - February 7, 2025

James 1: 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (NIV)

All the good things of life are God’s to give or withhold.*

In a blog entitled, “The One Thing Christians Should Stop Saying,” the author proposes that our material blessings are not what make us blessed. I agree that it is wrong to think of God as a “wish-granting fairy who spends his days randomly bestowing cars and cash upon his followers.”* Does God not love the wretchedly poor people in Third World countries or the parents whose children are sick or rebellious? Of course he does. But is it wrong for me to be thankful for the luxuries and comforts I have? Am I just lucky? 

The writer of the article points to the Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3-12) for Jesus’ viewpoint on what it means to be blessed. I believe Jesus was introducing a revolutionary new worldview, not scolding us for being happy when we have stuff and things are going our way. 

So what are we to make of James’ pronouncement that every good and perfect gift is from the Father? Perhaps we need to define “good” and “perfect.” Maybe we don’t understand what James means by “gift.” He may be speaking of spiritual gifts and not referring to earthly “blessings” at all. 

I may scratch my head over these concepts for awhile longer, but here is some food for thought: 

• “The ultimate goodness of any gift must be measured on an eternal scale. Something that may seem to be only good (such as winning money in a lottery) may in fact be turned to our destruction.”* 
• “Every good and perfect gift” may not be things. 
• Blessings often come disguised as troubles – refer to the Beatitudes. And consider these words of a Chinese Christian: “Jesus loved me so much that he sent me to prison.”* 
• We should view our earthly blessings as opportunities to practice benevolence.* 

Finally, whether you consider yourself blessed, lucky, or neither, remember this: “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5: 19, 20)

Luck is not as random as you think. Before that lottery ticket won the jackpot, someone had to buy it.*

Be Still - February 6, 2025

John 11: 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (NIV)

We don’t like it when we think Jesus is being stingy with the miracles.*

When my sister’s mother-in-law, Carole, got sick, her husband and four children gathered around her for two whole days, praying for her recovery. But she died anyway. Not once did I hear any member of this faithful family express a sentiment similar to Martha’s. No one said, “Lord, if you had been here, she wouldn’t have died.” Because they know the Lord was there.

Jesus always shows up in answer to our prayers – he just doesn’t always prove it by giving us what we asked for. He proves his presence through the comfort of his Holy Spirit. He shows his love through the outpouring of love from family and friends. He works all things for the good of one who loves him by answering Carole’s prayers for her wayward daughter who, at the funeral, promised that she and her family were returning to church. He honors our faithfulness by welcoming us home with, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

We often find Jesus in the unexpected. Miracles are not the only proof that he has shown up. 

When you can’t trace God’s hand, trust his heart.*

Be Still - February 5, 2025

Revelation 22: 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (NIV)

Every one of us is just a heartbeat away from our eternal dwelling place.*

Christians live the life of a dual citizen. Our obligations and joys keep us planted on the earth but we’re ready – or ready to be ready – for our heavenly home. Jesus promised that he’s coming back – here in this verse he says, “Soon.” But can you imagine yourself actually praying for him to come soon?  As someone has observed, as far as most Christians are concerned, “the Lord could postpone His coming indefinitely, if not forever. [We are] more frightened by its prospect than comforted and encouraged.”*

Death always leaves unfinished business in its wake. Even if you have all your affairs in order, there will still be someone in your life who isn’t ready to let go of you. It just never is a good time to die. But God’s timing is perfect, so when Jesus comes back for us, it will be the perfect time. There will be closure rather than unfinished business.

Don’t be afraid to pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.” First, because he has promised that he will; second, because it is our ultimate hope for the future; and third, it reminds us that we need his presence in our lives right now. Praying, “Come, Lord Jesus,” doesn’t have to be a final request but a declaration that his Spirit is welcome to dwell with you until your time is up.

Not only does He want to spend eternity with us; He wants to spend today with us.*

Be Still - February 4, 2025

I Timothy 6: 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (NIV)

Death terminates all wealth.*

Everyone – including nonbelievers - knows that “you can’t take it with you.” But what if you could? What do you possess that you could find a use for in heaven? When you look at it that way, it puts things into perspective and causes you to contemplate the importance of your legacy. There are some things that, though you have to leave them behind, you may be able to reconnect with later.

Those things aren’t things – they’re people.

It’s still true that you can’t take the people you love to heaven with you, but you can help improve their chances of meeting you there. If you are a parent, you are the most influential person in your children’s lives. Leave them a legacy that points them to Jesus. If you don’t have children, adopt some “spiritual” ones. When John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth,” (III John 4) he probably wasn’t referring to his biological family. 

When I get to Heaven, I think God is going to ask me if I brought a bunch of people with me, not if I was right on every issue.*

Be Still - February 3, 2025

Colossians 4: 17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.” (NIV)

We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. It is oxygen to the soul.*

All we know about Archippus is what we read here and in Philemon 2 ("Archippus our fellow soldier”). It’s amazing that such brief and uninformative mention can generate such varying interpretations. Some commentators believe that poor Archippus was singled out for “censure,” or “reproof,” because of some “slackness” on his part. Wouldn’t that be bad form on Paul’s part? If he needed to scold a “fellow soldier,” would he not have performed the deed personally rather than through a third party? If all we have is conjecture about Paul’s true intentions, then my spin is as good as anyone else's! So . . . here is what I think . . .

It is a fact that ministry is not for sissies and that anyone involved in church work needs encouragement from time to time. Perhaps Archippus was feeling discouraged about a lack of results or he was fed up with petty bickering among church people. At any rate, it is not a stretch to imagine that Paul saw that Archippus was in danger of looking for a “real” job and, recognizing the waste of talent that would be, wished to encourage the Colossians to encourage Archippus. As one writer observed: “When the Colossians spoke up, then Archippus knew his ministry was wanted.”* 

Let me remind you to be an encourager as well. The ministry staff at your church; your small group leader; a missionary; the church secretary, custodian, or bus driver - any of these servants could be on the brink of burn-out until your words of appreciation remind them that their work matters. God may have called Archippus and others like him to be fellow soldiers but he has called all of us to be encouragers.

Oh, and don’t forget to pray for them, too.

Silent gratitude isn’t much good to anyone.*

Be Still - February 2, 2025

Colossians 2: 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. (NIV)

Christ freed us from worrying about whether we are “doing enough” to please God.*

I have heard people say something like, “You’re alright. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.” As if we could stop someone from telling us we’re not alright. I think the same about Paul’s admonition here. How can I stop others from judging me? To help answer the question, I consulted some other sources. Other translations/interpretations for this phrase include: 

· Do not let anyone take you to task. Again, how can I stop them? 

· Don’t let anyone impose his laws on you. Sounds a little more empowered! 

· Allow no one the right to judge and condemn you. You can’t stop them but you can control how you let it affect you. 

· Don’t pay attention to those who would judge you. Human nature is gonna judge. Ignore the haters! 

It’s a strange paradox: people like to make rules, but they also believe that rules are made to be broken. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that people like to impose rules. In this chapter, Paul discusses the defunct Jewish law (Christ “canceled the written code,” verse 14), and the host of man-made addendums that the church at Colosse was trying to compel its members to comply with. Paul doesn’t condemn the observation of feasts or dietary restrictions, but he makes it clear: we are under no obligation to observe the old ways – or any of the newly-devised feasts and holidays. They can’t save us. 

There’s a difference between the legalism that Paul describes in this passage and the obedience required of Christians. When asked which was the greatest commandment in the law, Jesus said that all the laws could be summed up in just two of them: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself. When your lifestyle is in step with these two mandates, you are free to ignore those haters who want to judge you for not meeting their expectations.

If you maintain these two top priorities – love God and love others – they will guide you in setting all the other priorities in your life.*

Be Still - February 1, 2025

I Corinthians 3: 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? (NIV)

The only ultimate disaster that can befall us . . . is to feel ourselves to be home on earth.*

God knows the heart and potential of everyone. He knows the difference between defiance and doing-the-best-I-can. When he looked down on the Corinthians, perhaps he saw something that Paul didn’t; but from his human perspective, Paul saw a group of Christians who knew better and should be doing better. Their actions spoke of the conditions of their hearts. As Max Lucado characterizes them: “They let God save them, but not change them.”* 

Will God save us if we don’t let him change us? We can never be good enough to earn our salvation, but can we be bad enough to lose it? One writer contends: “The only way we can lose our salvation is to deliberately reject Christ.”* Only God can determine the difference between occasional disobedience and total rejection, but don’t forget that Jesus said, “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.” (Luke 6: 44) 

If your actions speak more loudly of rebellion than surrender, then perhaps you, like the Corinthians, are still worldly. Does it alarm you to know that, “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts” (I Corinthians 4: 5)? Or can you comfortably claim, “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” (I Corinthians 4: 4)?

Although he’s extremely patient with us, one day he will hold us accountable for how we’ve lived.*