Day 4: Health and Wealth

So, I hear traces of prosperity theology almost every time I talk to a Christian (at least an American Christian). Believing God to provide for us is one thing. But buying into the idea that Christians, because of our relationship with God, are supposed to be wealthy, healthy and happy is patently unbiblical. I think this kind of teaching has, one, diminished the glory of God (that would take its own blog to explain) but has also created in many believers a very shallow, immature, skewed, and weak view of God.

Which leads me to today’s passage. I find it hard to justify prosperity theology in light of John the Baptist’s life. In John 1:76, John’s father prophesies about his life:

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways.”

John was to be the preeminent evangelist/preacher of his day. He was not just a prophet of the Most High; he was THE prophet of the Most High. He was apparently a pretty popular guy. Matthew 3:5 says “...all Judea and all the district around the Jordan” were going out to him to be baptized in the Jordan River. Mark 5:5 says “all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem” and they were “confessing their sins.” So God’s blessing was clearly on John’s life and ministry.

And Luke 1:66b makes it even clearer: “For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.”

Now, according to the prosperity plan, John’s faithfulness to God and God’s hand of blessing on him should have secured him a pretty dope life. (I mean, after all, he’s the "head and not the tail" right?) But did it?

What did his life look like? “Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4). Now, some of you might be thinking, “Hmmm, camel hair and a leather belt? Tailor that crap up and he might’ve been a G!” No, no. This wasn’t a fitted trench with some K.Cole boots. One commentator says, “John’s garments were common to nomadic desert dwellers and thus were associated with poorer people.” As for the locusts and wild honey, he says they “were not an unusual source of food for people living in the desert. The desert locus is…still eaten today by poorer people in the Middle East and Africa.”

How did life turn out for him? Read Matthew 14:1-12. Wouldn’t God have rescued His prophet? Had they been taught the message of health and wealth, wouldn’t John’s disciples have expected “the prophet of the Most High” to be miraculously saved from death? And life and death are in the power of the tongue, right? How come he couldn’t just speak his safety into existence?

Ahhh, I have so much more to say about this. But I’ll leave it open for discussion.

For an amazing sermon on this, click here and listen to 5.25.08 Hope in Real Life.

Day 3: What Did He Say?

So I don't have anything insightful to share about today's passage. (Not that I think I'm particularly insightful...I guess a more accurate way to say it would be that this post has absolutely nothing to do with today's passage.) I will say, though, that I see amazing parallels between Jeremiah 26:3-6 and the Gospel.

But this is more of a personal reflection. I've become more and more convinced that my ability to clearly hear God's voice is dependent on how much private time I have with him. To put it another way...if you want to want to hear God's voice clearly, you have to practice listening.

Think of being an offensive lineman in an away game. Your team is down by 1, in field goal range, 4th down. A stadium is never louder than it is that day. The fans are going ballistic. The linebackers on the opposing team are yelling. The coaches are screaming. And you're trying to make sure you don't miss the count or somehow misinterpret the potential audible call.

Now, in that scenario, imagine if you, the offensive lineman, had never spent a day in practice. You'd never been in the huddle. So amidst all the resounding voices, you can only hope that you'll somehow be able to make out the quarterback's voice. And oh my gosh, is it a one count? Two counts?

Too late...that kind of clarity comes in practice.

That's how I feel about privacy with God. At this point in my life, it's not just the Christian thing to do. It's necessary. So last night, while my wife was gone, instead of turning on the TV or getting on my laptop, I prayed. I talked to God about my day, my concerns, my future. And with all the noise in my life, I'm learning to hear His voice above all the others.

**By the way, if you did in fact have something insightful to share about today's passage, feel free to get the convo going.

Day 2: How Can I Be Equipped for Effective Ministry?

I just got married and wow. You don't realize how lame your set of tools is until your wife needs you to assemble furniture and all you have is a Phillips-head and a flashlight. A wise man once said, "You're not a man unless you have a toolbox!"

In a strange way, that makes me think of Paul's words to Timothy:

"Preach the Word..." (1 Tim.4:2)

I think this is so poignant. Timothy was so young and so inexperienced, and I'm sure he was crazy overwhelmed with his ministry responsibility. For goodness sake, he was left in a very secular culture to lead a group of Christians who were being pulled in all kinds of unGodly directions (see 1 Tim. 1:3-7). He was filling the shoes of Paul, who is arguably the most influential Christian in history.

And Paul leaves him with one tool...God's Word.

What strikes me most is Paul's conviction that Scripture has to be the centerpiece of our ministry! For Paul, God's Word was THE primary tool for effective ministry. Just before he tells Timothy to preach the Word, he explains why: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim.3:16-17). Paul's point is that the Word of God works!!!

I think that's why Paul constantly urges Timothy to train himself in the Word. I'd challenge you to go through 1 and 2 Timothy and mark every time Paul tells Timothy to study, teach, or use the Word.

Wow. This is such a huge deal for me. So many times I feel inadequate in ministry. I look at people who have incredible leadership skills, marketing abilities, strategic minds, etc. I want to do God's work effectively, so my first instinct is to grab all the leadership books I can. My instinct is to try every secular method to have more influence or attract more people. That can be helpful and God's wisdom can be found in so many places. But the #1 tool He's given us to accomplish His work is His Word.

I guess when you think about it, God's Word isn't just one tool, but a toolbox full of truths we can use for any ministry situation. Challenging, but so encouraging to know that I have what I need to do God's work.

Day 1: Off to a bad start

So hopefully you're better than me. I forgot the fast was starting today, BUT thankfully I did not partake in any of the forbidden items. Does that count?

Is my fast invalidated because I was not consciously aware of the fact that I was fasting? Does a falling tree make noise if noone hears it?

Hmmmm...

Anyway, we'll pick up tomorrow and I'll be sharing my reflections on each assigned passage and maybe even some random biblical thoughts throughout the day. I'd love to get your thoughts too.