Hand to the Plow - December 31, 2017

Luke 9:62 - But Jesus said to him, “ No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Some people might say that a new year is inconsequential. Many folks make and break resolutions with impunity. Like many, I haven't always considered a new year as significant. However, the longer I walk with the Lord, the more I see the importance for new beginnings. I like to think of a new year as an opportunity to turn over the soil of my heart and to prepare the ground for new seed. Often, this is a new area of my heart where God wants to do an expansive work. In other cases, this is possibly where He has produced a crop but now He wants to plant something different. And, sometimes there are areas that may have once yielded fruit, but have gone fallow due to indifference or disobedience. I have found the best thing to do is not argue with God, thinking I know what's best. Without fail, when He plants what He desires, it always bears forth the fruit He has ordained. That is, as long as I'm obedient and continue to till the land of my heart as He desires.

The use of the plow and fallow ground are simply metaphors for allowing God to use His word to instruct us. While some smaller plows may be pushed by manpower, God's plow can not be pushed by human strength. It is an impossibility to push a plow creating deep furrows in order to sow God's seed. For the sake of this analogy, God provides a mule or a team of oxen---servants to mankind in order to pull the plow through the unbroken earth. The strength of these animals are illustrated by the strength of God and how He empowers his word to accomplish what He sends it forth to accomplish (Isaiah 55:11). However, without man's hand on the plow, God's word will often NOT be sent forth due to lack of faith to lead and guide it. By putting our hand to God's plow and obeying Him, we allow His word to go forth.

Once we put our hand to the plow, Jesus tells us we should never look back. We should understand that while our past has often shaped our present, we cannot allow it to dictate our future. Obedience that cuts a straight furrow through life would be terribly impeded if we were constantly looking back and worried about where he have been rather than where we are going. Paul, a confessed murderer and persecutor of the church tells us in Philippians 3:13 to forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead. We can do NOTHING about the past, but only make corrections for the future by the experiences acquired in our brief histories. While Jesus' admonition in Luke 17:22-37 refers to His second coming, it is still an important lesson for us to understand in regard to obedience. If we refuse to allow the anxieties of this life to pull us off course, then we will remain stalwart to keep looking ahead. In verse 32, Jesus says, "Remember Lot's wife," a sobering lesson on looking back once we have our put our hands to the proverbial plow (Genesis 19;26).

Time is significant, or God would not have created it. Therefore, it is important to regard new beginnings in time as God-ordained opportunities to start afresh. While man-made resolutions are to the most part useless, we can be assured that God patiently awaits for us to recommit to Him on our spiritual journey. Some of us have taken our hands off the plow and have allowed acres of "heartland" to become fallow. It is time to once again take hold of God's plow, the word of God, and walk steadily and determinably after Him. If we will follow the plow He has given us to guide, He will provide the strength to pull it along. Will we do this perfectly? None of us have, nor will any succeed except One. Jesus Christ will walk along side and coach us the entire length of God's field if we will but allow Him to do so. Before long, the soil of our hearts will be fertile once again to take the seed of God and bear fruit the way He desires. May we all put our hands to God's plow this year, never wavering as the Holy Spirit strengthens us and the Son of God guides our hands. May we all know the blessing of obeying Him in all things this coming year as we put our hands in His hands each and every day.

Heavenly Father, thank you for enabling us to obey You in all things. However, when we fail or take our hands off the plow You have ordained for each of us, may you patiently guide us once again to continue our journey, pressing on toward the goal of the upward call. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick

The Christ Child - December 24, 2017

Matthew 2:18 - A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, because they were no more.

When we read the story of Christ's birth, it is full of wonder and hope. Shepherds and wise men rejoice over the birth of the Savior. Yet, in the midst of this glorious event, tragedy taints the most important advent the world has ever known. Other families in Bethlehem and its environs had similarly celebrated the joyous coming of their babies in those days. However, they soon would see their children's lives ruthlessly taken from them. No one really knows for certain how many. The Martyrdom of Matthew states 3,000 babies were slaughtered by the command of Herod. The Byzantine liturgy claims more than 14,000 male children under the age of two were massacred, while Syrian tradition places the number at 64,000! Not to diminish the horror of this event, but the number was probably quite smaller. Biblical archaeologists believe from their findings that Bethlehem's population on May 14, 6 AD (the date claimed by Clement for Christ's birth) to be around 300 persons. If that is the case, then children under two years old would probably equal less than a dozen. However, no one really knows for sure. How far around Bethlehem did Herod's murderous edict extend? While it is doubtful 64,000 children lost their lives, it is equally as doubtful in my mind that just a handful of children were killed. Nevertheless, no matter the number, a life is precious and the heartache of those whose children were taken in such a cruel manner was no doubt heartbreaking beyond words.

As the Christ child escaped to Egypt with His parents, we read in Matthew's gospel how the innocents were slaughtered by a madman. Herod was one of a long line of megalomaniacal kings in Jewish history who sought to maintain his rule at any  cost. Since he was crowned ruler of Judea by the Roman government more than 40 years earlier, he had killed scores of persons he considered a threat to his throne. The slaughter of the innocents was merely the crowning achievement of his murderous ways in the twilight of his reign. This man schemed and connived his entire life to ensure his rule and that of his posterity. When he gave the command to destroy the male babies in Bethlehem, this was nothing horrendous in his eyes whatsoever. This was merely the last of a long series of murders to ensure his kingdom rule.

We often look at this event as appalling, but it was the most natural reaction of evil for this malevolent king to perpetrate. While this unspeakable evil was done, the Son of God was safe far to the south. Some might say, "Why did not God intervene on behalf of the innocents while He protected the Son of God? Isn't this hypocritical on God's part to show favoritism to His own Son, yet allow the innocent to perish?" The same questions have been asked of God throughout the millennia. While many believe He sits safely in the heavenlies while continual injustice occurs here on earth, some would suggest this proves He is an unjust God. However, those who would question God in this way do not understand He is not only a God of mercy but one of justice. His character demands that He allow mankind to go the way we have chosen since that fateful day in the Garden. God told Adam and Eve that death would be the result of disobedience, yet they chose to go their own way. Even so, we have chosen to go our own way and the result is carnage and death on a worldwide scale. Why does God allow children to die? Why does He allow babies in Uganda to suffer and die by the hands of cruel men and evil regimes? Why does God allow entire communities with thousands of children to starve to death in the Sudan? Why does He allow terrorists in Belarus to destroy an entire orphanage of children? Because evil exists in the world and we as a species have embraced it! The result of this prevalent evil will result in the death and exploitation of the innocent. It always will. The problem is compounded when we as the human race believe we are not all capable of this type of evil.

Whether we are saved by the Prince of Peace, or are joint-murderers with the prince of darkness is our choice today as it was on that infamous day in Eden. We will either join ourselves with God and look toward the day when He will once again make everything whole. Or, we will continue to join ourselves with the devil and blame God for all the woes of our world. The innocents will continually be the tragic victims of our foolish decision as a race. What we need to do is put the blame where it belongs -- on ourselves, and submit to the Christ Child who can make it all right once again. Instead of saying, "Why" to God over the calamity of this world, we should be praying "When will you come and set things right?" When we look to Him for the solutions, we will understand so much more than those without God. The evil will still be unacceptable. But we will understand its origin and its final demise as we trust in God to one day rid the earth of those who would prey on the innocent, much as Satan preyed on the innocent in Eden's garden. Then, the blameless will be righteous before Him, never to be exploited by evil again.

Holy Father, may we understand that the innocents will always be subjected to the worst kinds of evil. The hearts of men are given to do evil because they are children of their father the devil. They have chosen their parentage by their choice to follow him. There is a day, Father, when You will wipe the earth of this plague. Then, the innocents will be continually in Your presence, never to suffer again. May You come quickly, Lord Jesus. In Christ's Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick

Possessing Our Souls - December 17, 2017

Luke 21:19 (NKJV) - By your patience possess your souls.

I heard a pastor once preach on "Love is patient" out of I Corinthians 13. His premise was how the two are interchangeable. Love is the very essence of patience and conversely it is impossible to be patient without being loving. I agree with this. I believe our Savior's patience was extraordinary as He dealt in a spirit of love with everyone He met. (However, the Pharisees might have seen things differently.) Just as God is love, so also He embodies patience (I John 4:8).

When we look at Luke 21:19, we should look at Jesus' admonition as exhorting us to "self-care." In context, it is of course speaking of the last days and the hostility others will show against those who stand up for the gospel. To bring my mention of I Corinthians 13 into this context, I believe both Paul and our Lord would tell us that the best self-care comes from first loving God who dwells within us and then allowing that to overflow to others. In other words, if we are loving and patient with ourselves, we will be patient and loving with others. To go back to the context of Luke 21 once again, this will mean the difference of possessing our souls or betraying them out of fear. When we are perfected in love, it casts out all fear, allowing us to live with God’s integrity through love (I John 4:8).

Jesus asked the question, "What will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). To possess one's soul means that we have surrendered to our Savior all impatience to do otherwise. We have come into that perfect place of sanctification where we no longer wonder if we are set apart and holy for the Master's use. The thought does not even occur to us. We just know we are imbued with a marvelous sense of His love and patience in how He is living and moving and having His Being through us. This, my friends, is self-care that will become demonstrable soul-care to all with whom are hungry for an encounter with God.

One might well ask how this paradigm shift occurs? Where we no longer concern ourselves with possessing anything let alone our souls? (Of course the paradox is that when we no longer seek to possess anything we possess all things.)  Furthermore, how do we perfect this place of patience which is imbued with God's presence and love? It is wonderful to speak in theory of being loving and patient, but how does this happen? The reminders are constant throughout the word of God and especially in Paul's letters. Paul's desire for the churches to whom he wrote his letters to "put on" Jesus Christ was a constant theme and probably a frequent prayer of his. (Romans 13:12, Ephesians 6:11, and Colossians 3:1are just three instances of more than a dozen given by Paul.) The paradigm shift is as simple as doing the "do's" and turning away from the "don'ts." When we turn toward Jesus, and allow Him to renew us according to His image, then we are allowing the possession of our souls to become a reality through Christ's love. May we patiently turn toward Him as we give more and more to Him daily.

Heavenly Father, may you show us how we really do not possess anything. Yet, You allow us stewardship over these vessels you have created for us to live in. May we possess them in Your love and patience, wholly sanctified for Your use. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick

Anguish to Joy - December 10, 2017

Isaiah 53:11 - As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.

The birth of children is something truly remarkable to behold. I was privileged to watch the birth of all three of my natural children. Of course, childbirth for the father is much different than the suffering of the mother. I often reflect on this when I think how Jesus brought back the human race from spiritual death. Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection acted much like the womb of new birth as the Holy Spirit came along side as the mid-wife, ensuring success. The Father looked on, as many sons and daughters were restored to Him on that day. What a glorious moment it had to be! If only we could have heard the rejoicing in heaven when Jesus said, "It is finished" and later when the stone was rolled away. The joy of the Father was certainly inexpressible in our human capacity to understand it.

In his great wisdom given by God, Solomon states in Ecclesiastes 7:8 how "The end of a matter is better than its beginning." How Jesus must have known and believed this as He prepared for His death. We know from the word of God that Jesus was certainly concerned about His upcoming demise. Some have speculated a variety of reasons for his angst regarding His crucifixion. Regardless the reason, we know He did not sin, but kept entrusting Himself to the One who would deliver Him (I Peter 2:23). As John relates the words of Jesus: “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour" (John 12:27). The hope of mankind's deliverance was the great motivator that revealed Christ's perfect love for humanity.

Isaiah tells us in our lead verse that "He will see it." I believe this is speaking about the Father when He witnessed His Son dying on the cross. He looked at the spilt blood of His Son and surely wept as sin's penalty was satisfied! However, with his weeping there was a joy breaking forth that no sadness could overwhelm. Isaiah 53:10 tells us Christ will see His offspring by offering Himself as a "guilt offering." Likewise, He would find satisfaction knowing He had brought many sons and daughters back to His Father through the "anguish of His soul." The pain the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit incurred to save us was incalculable. Conversely, as already mentioned, the joy likewise was indescribable regarding our deliverance.  Jesus prophetically tells His disciples in John 16:21 that  "Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world."

Joy is often the direct outcome of pain. Our great gains in Christ are often recognized through His extraordinary loss. When we begin to really understand what it cost the Godhead to bring about our salvation, it should first pain us remarkably. However, if it is truly a God-given revelation, it should then give us joy inexpressible regarding what He has done. Are we walking in great joy today, beloved? If not, possibly we do not truly understand His great anguish which lead to His great joy. Ask God for this understanding. Cry out to Him that He would reveal the cost of Calvary. When we truly understand it, we will likewise know His anguish but also His great joy in bringing many sons and daughters to salvation.

Heavenly Father, may you grant us all wisdom to know what the cross of Christ cost. May we enter into the fellowship of Your sufferings that we might attain to the resurrection of the dead according to Your servant, Paul (Philippians 3:10-11). Show us Your heart, Lord, and Your great love for us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Your Barefoot Servant,
Rick






The Bare Soul Archives

Power Through Wisdom - December 3, 2017

Luke 10:19 - Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

 

How exciting it must have been for the disciples to receive their commission directly from the Lord! Having traveled around with Jesus for months or years and witnessing the wonderful miracles He wrought, the thought of going out in that type of power undoubtedly gave them great excitement and expectation. After their great evangelistic outreach, "The seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.'” (Luke 10:17) Shortly following their exclamation, the Lord uttered the words of our lead verse, declaring what they had just experienced. The gospel was real and they were an active part in bringing heaven to earth---helping to heal, deliver, and give great hope where there was previously hopelessness.

 

One might ask why Jesus did not give them this revelation of their authority in the Name of Jesus before they set off. He did give them some fundamental instructions about how to conduct themselves. However, He waited to confirm what He spoke in Luke 10:19 after they returned and in regard to what they had experienced. Possibly this was to keep them in a place of humility with the ability to receive from the Lord on an as needed basis. Rather than going out with a sense of dramatic intensity that everyone they laid hands on would be healed or delivered, possibly Jesus wanted them to go out and experience power through wisdom. Rather than having carte blanche and a belief they were able to heal every illness and cast out every demon, Jesus instead wanted them to rely upon God's wisdom and move according to God's will and purpose. Remember, there were many in Jesus' time that were not healed or delivered. Case and point, the lame beggar in the Gate Beautiful which Jesus undoubtedly saw day after day during His ministry. (The Lord had a divine appointment for this man with His servants Peter and John [(Acts 3:1-2].) Possibly some days the power of God was not present for Jesus to heal, as stated in Luke 5:17. Therefore, as in the case of the seventy, He wanted them to go forth in God's wisdom first. Then, He could demonstrate His healing through them as He willed.

 

The disciples knew they were being sent out under Jesus' authority. However, by their exclamation of joy and surprise on their return, it is clear they did not understand the full implication. Authority is administered best when it is done so with both wisdom and power. Just because someone has the authority and the power to exercise it, does not mean they have wisdom to make sure it is passed along with grace. Merely look at any number of authority figures in law enforcement, government, or even religion to understand this dynamic. Once the disciples understood the necessity of using God's authority first with His wisdom, then it created great joy in them. Misused power will often create more problems than the solutions it seeks to remedy.

 

Luke 10:19  is intended to show us the strength of God over this world while giving us imagery that is powerfully descriptive. Yet, we must be careful not to allow romantic sentimentality to rocket us away from its intent and to discourage us. As the disciples learned wisdom from daily learning with Jesus, so we must slog through commonplace days to get to the days where we are demonstrably treading on the enemy. Many days, we live out the miracle of the mundane where we allow God's character to grow within a little at a time. We live as fathers and mothers and sons and daughters, doing the next right thing that God desires of us. These days are usually without spiritual drama and can look very much like what our worldly counterparts are accomplishing. However, the exceptional is made exceptionally grand when we have been living right every day. Then, when we come upon someone who truly needs a touch from God, we can be the one to offer them God's peace while we grind the enemy under our feet. This, my friends, is the real Christian life.

 

Lord God Almighty, lead us not into the temptation of possessing Your power without Your wisdom. May we spend time in Your presence, understanding how Your authority is perfected in humility. Grant us the joy of Your presence as we minister to others for You and Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

Your Barefoot Servant,

 

Rick

Longing for Redemption - November 26, 2017

II Timothy 4:8 - In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

In many ways, Paul's longing for his eternal home was foreign to Jewish sentiment. The Jewish culture has always been more in touch with the "here and now" rather than the the "sweet by and by."  Certainly, many who followed Pharisaic teachings believed in an afterlife. Diametric in belief were their counterparts, the Sadducees, who believed in only an earthly existence with no hope of a life after death (Acts 23:8). However, both groups and most Jewish people looked mainly for betterment of life here on earth. They believed their position as children of Abraham made them secure for whatever heaven would offer them. So, when Paul spoke of the heavenly realm as the reward of the believer, this was a paradigm shift, especially for Jewish believers. His Gentile audiences knew less about the Jewish sense of entitlement regarding birthright. Therefore, Paul's letter to Timothy was not one of special privilege regarding the aged apostle's heritage as a child of Abraham, but instead his right to be a child of God according to faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12).

Some of the Jews who followed Jesus undoubtedly grew angrier as He did not manifest the kingdom of God on earth. That is the only thing that interested many of them. They did not want to hear about a heavenly kingdom, but one where they would prosper socially, economically, and politically here on earth. Their arrogance as the "chosen people" made them blind to the paradoxical teaching of Jesus concerning a kingdom where the poor in spirit reigned (Matthew 5:3). Rather than fortify this earth, they were being told to abandon it and to prepare for a new heaven and a new earth. Instead of considering their country, position, social standing, or wealth, Jesus was telling them to forsake all and prepare for something infinitesimally superior. However, they could not have both. They would inevitably trust in one or the other, deciding which kingdom they chose to give their allegiance.

What is remarkable is how Paul -- a Pharisee of Pharisees -- threw off former preconceptions of Jewish acculturation and embraced the Messiah and His promise of the hope of Glory. Or, how Peter, Andrew, James, and John abandoned their families to follow Jesus! This was unheard of in ancient Palestine, for a son to walk away from his family. Our westernized mindset built on individualism really does not comprehend the closeness of Semitic families and what this meant.

Similarly, if we have truly loved Christ's appearing in our lives and hearts on the day of our salvation, we will be anticipating His return and not be seeking to preserve our earthly heritage. Consider King Hezekiah and how he begged God not to take him to heaven (II Kings 20:6). It can be argued that Hezekiah is the reason why the Babylonians later pillaged Jerusalem. If he had not been around to show the Babylonian emissaries Judah's wealth, they might not have bothered with this distant land (II Kings 20:12-19). However, the king was only interested in the "here and now." He did not understand how loving his earthly life would have ramifications for centuries.

How many of us would react similarly? How many of us love our comfortable lives here on earth and would be saddened to see Christ coming in the clouds? Like those of the Jewish nation, are we as Christians enraptured with our earthly lives? Have we become so busy with the temporal things that we do not long for the things of heaven? (Luke 14:18-20) So many of us loved His initial appearing in our lives when He saved us. Yet, now there might be some reservation regarding His second coming to snatch us away. We should all beware of loving the "here and now" and long for the "sweet by and by." If not, then have we truly loved His appearing?

Heavenly Father, may we long for Your Son's appearing. There is nothing this imperfect earth can give us that You have not already granted us if we will but trust in You. Help us to have great patience, forbearance, and wisdom, knowing Your return is soon. May we love Your appearing in all aspects of our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick

Legs to Stand On - November 19, 2017

II Samuel 9:8 - Again he prostrated himself and said, “What is your servant, that you should regard a dead dog like me?”

Possibly no other scripture passage gives us a clearer picture of redemption than that of the story of David and Mephibosheth. To understand this story's significance, it is first essential to understand the importance of the covenant between David and the house of Saul. Not only was David bound in loyalty to King Saul, but the covenant and promise he entered into with his son Jonathan was a binding oath of fealty. Jonathan's stripping himself of his armor and giving it to David was an ancient practice of humility that symbolized complete trust and loyalty to the other. David understood the importance of his oath to Jonathan and therefore sought to honor his solemn promise after his friend's death. Therefore, after the kingdom was firmly established in David's hands, we find chapter nine of the second book of Samuel devoted to this covenant trust. David sought out the remaining posterity of Jonathan to bestow the same kindness he experienced from Saul's son as David fled imminent death. David's merciful attitude does not necessarily respect the strength of the man he inevitably helps. Instead, it reveals both the character of King David and also the King of Kings (II Samuel 9:1-7).

Those familiar with this story know that Mephibosheth's handicap further demonstrates King David's kindness. We are told a few chapters earlier how the lad's nurse had heard of Saul and Jonathan's death and was hurrying to retreat from the conquering Philistines. In her haste, she fell with the child and crippled him for life (II Samuel 4:4). Now in his teens or early twenties, Mephibosheth was granted a reprieve by the reigning king. He may have possibly heard stories from his father regarding his great friend, David. Yet, for years after his father's death, he may have heard nothing that would have given him any hope of kindness springing from the covenant between Jonathan and David. But then came that extraordinary day when the king called for him to appear before the royal court. Would he be killed? His thoughts were possibly running rampant as he drew near to Jerusalem. Once there, we read how the king's desire was to extend kindness to him for his father Jonathan's sake. The first thing he tells him is to not be afraid. David promises to restore all the fortunes of Saul's house to the young man (II Samuel 9:7). Mephibosheth's response is classic middle eastern as he prostrates himself before his benefactor: "What is your servant, that you should regard a dead dog like me?”

One might look at David's act of kindness as extraordinary, for truly it was. Conversely, the response of Mephibosheth was both complimentary of David's kindness and his understanding of the king's covenant obligation to Jonathan. Even though David knew his legal obligation to Jonathan's covenant, David's character was demonstrative of his love toward his old friend. The restoring of property and title are one thing. However, granting Mephibosheth a seat at the king's table placed the young man in a place of honor and respect not unlike any of the king's sons.

While the parallels and similarities between this redemption story and the one Jesus Christ wrought for us are obvious to most, they still bear mentioning over and over again. Have not all of us who have tasted of the kindness of God been crippled by sin? Has he not sought us out as David sought out Mephibosheth to restore to him his royal fortunes? Often, I have heard God's great gift of salvation referred to as "religion" and as a "crutch" for those too weak to stand on their own. Tragically, those who say such things are those who do not see they are dragging themselves through life, unable to stand as they imagine. When you know you are a cripple, a crutch is a wonderful thing! I shudder to consider our state if God had not sought us out in our lameness and restored to us a place of honor at his table. While we may feast on God's goodness here on earth, there will be a day when we will forever be at His great banquet table. There we will know that we were once crippled by sin and that our Great King redeemed us --- not on our own merits but through his love and kindness as our Creator.

Heavenly Father, our gracious God ... allow us to understand what You have done by seeking us out and inviting us to Your royal table. May we feast upon Your wisdom and Your love, knowing You have not withheld anything from us as sons and daughters of the Most High. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick

How to Love God's Word - November 12, 2017

We have all known picky eaters. When I was a child, I was required to eat everything on my plate. With our children, my wife and I insisted they try something before saying they did not like it. Usually we made them eat two or three bites before opting out. I believe this is a reasonable and rational approach rather than forcing children to eat. However, I will say there is really nothing today that I do not like when it comes to food. Similarly, my grown children like most cuisines. They have learned from experience that all foods are at least worth trying. By allowing our palates to experience a variety of tastes, we train our "flavor buds" to appreciate and evaluate. This disallows the pre-judging of foods and denying them a proper chance.

In contemporary America and other westernized countries, we do not lack a variety of experience regarding food. Even smaller towns have Chinese and Mexican restaurants, whereas larger cities have any ethnic food we might desire. However, I would venture to say that many of us do not know there are similarly many different flavors and "tastes" in God's word. Proverbs 27:7 tells us "A sated man loathes honey, but to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet." When hunger is the driving force, it doesn't matter how something tastes. The only concern is to quell the hunger pains. However, once we have found out how to satisfy our hunger by continually coming to God's word, it is helpful to find out how to make it satisfying as well. Just because someone is no longer hungry does not mean they are satisfied in their fullness. Through the years, I believe I have learned a thing or two about not only satisfying my spiritual hunger from God's word, but also finding great satisfaction in the various flavors and tastes I encounter. I will explain this further through the following three steps that reveal how to find lasting fulfillment in dining continually and with great pleasure on God's word:

1. Try it, you might like it! -- If you have never studied the word of God in a consistent manner, do not pre-judge that it is a boring endeavor. Oftentimes, God allows us to engage in the discipline of reading His word before He gives us a true love for it. As Jeremiah states in our lead verse, he "found" the words of the Lord. This means diligently spending time in the word everyday to begin finding what God is saying to us, individually. When we do, we begin to find the joy in discovery as God brings His word alive.

2. Mix it up! -- Do not, and I repeat , do not start in Genesis and start reading through the entire Bible! (Most folks who do this stop when they hit the chapters in Leviticus about cleansing leprosy!) Instead, read  a chapter from the Old Testament each day and one from the New Testament. Or, read a Psalm or a chapter of Proverbs along with a chapter of the Gospels. Personally, my daily reading consists of a chapter from the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), a chapter from the history books (Joshua through Esther), a chapter in the poetry books (Job through Song of Solomon), a chapter in the prophets (Isaiah through Malachi), a chapter of the Gospels (Matthew through John), and a chapter of the New Testament (Acts through Revelation). By reading six chapters a day, I get through the Old Testament about once every eight months, the New Testament books every five months, and the Gospels about four times a year. I have been doing this for many years and it works well for me.

3. Don't be doggedly dogmatic! -- Even though I have a set schedule of reading and study, I do not get bent out of shape if I miss a day or my schedule gets thrown off by the Holy Spirit leading another way. Our Bible reading should be regarded as a "love plan" not a contract that can be broken if we do not hold to it perfectly each day. However, we should try to maintain consistency when possible. If we do, the Lord will bless our time and begin to show us treasures we would not have believed as we remain faithful.

Are we famished for God's word? Some of us do not even have a mild appetite for what God has given mankind through the written word, let alone a ravenous desire for His writings. Are we daily in the Holy Bible, digging out its treasures? The only way to get hungry for God's word is by getting into it. As we do, we will long for it as we would miss a loved one,  rather than condemning ourselves as a judge when we miss a day. The Word of God is not a drudgery, beloved. It is "a joy and the delight" of our hearts if we will but discipline ourselves to seek God there daily.

Heavenly Father, I pray for those who desire a greater discipline in reading and meditating on Your word. Give them first the desire to spend time with You, daily, in Your written word. Then, bless their faithfulness by sharing nuggets of truth that will make their spirits soar. As they find the joy in Your word, increase their hunger for it, developing their taste and pleasure as they savor its wonder! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

 

Rick

Simply Salvation - November 5, 2017

Psalm 116:6 - The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.

In Alcoholics Anonymous, there is a saying that goes something like this: "No one comes in here as a high roller!" The implication is that no one goes to AA because it seems like a fun and entertaining thing to do. It is usually a last resort in an attempt to arrest alcoholism. Some have said that going to an AA hall was like going to the "last house on the block." The implication being that this was their last choice and often their last chance at a sober life, by their thinking. Alcoholism had brought them low and now they needed the help of God and the group to find a way from this hopeless pit in which they were trapped.

In our lead scripture, the psalmist also mentions he "was brought low." Whether or not it was a result of his doing or not, it is clear that people, places, and/or things had brought him to a low place in life. Often the cause of our distress is not relevant when we are overwhelmed in its result. We just want to get out of the discomfort created by the grief. However, often our pride stands in the way of even acknowledging we are in a pit of despair. Instead, we keep saying everything is okay or it will improve if we "keep on keeping on." Another familiar truism used in AA is the definition of insanity, doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Not only is this the apex of pride but it is also the pinnacle of ignorance. It denies both our need of a Savior and also our insistence that we are Him!

How low will we allow ourselves to go? How simple can we become? The mighty paradox of the Kingdom of God is the weak are made strong by His grace. As Paul states, not many of us who are wise by the world's standards have found the wisdom of God in salvation (I Corinthians 1:26-27). When we finally do understand how something bigger than ourselves is the one that has brought us low, then it only makes sense that something bigger than ourselves must intervene to bring us higher once again. If Jesus Christ and His salvation is not necessary and if we can lift ourselves from the proverbial mire by our own bootstraps, then His death and resurrection was a complete waste of time! Those who have been brought low by their flesh, sin, and the devil should know they cannot save themselves. There is only salvation in Jesus Christ --- Period! (John 14:6; John 8:24)

While God's redemption is utterly simple in that we must embrace the seeming foolishness of the cross, it is often not easy (I Corinthians 1:18). We all have this mental beast on our shoulders that wants to be king instead of allowing God His proper place in our lives. When we finally do experience the simplicity of the Gospel, then we can say with the psalmist: "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you." (Psalm 116:7) As I and countless others have said, humility and surrender is not a place of perpetual weakness. They are the springboards to more strength than we can ever imagine. All we must do is believe, trust, and then surrender. The results will astound those simple enough to believe as He brings us to that higher place in Him.

O Lord our God, may we know we have been brought low by sin. May we know You are the only One who can bring us higher. Everything else is but an illusion. Grant us eyes to see and ears to hear. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick

Setting the Captives Free - October 29, 2017

Psalm 126:1-2 - When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

Many years ago I remember how tough it was lying in bed at night with my knees literally throbbing with pain. I loved running so much, yet seemed to continue to injure myself. The "clicking" of my knees scared me as I would bend down to pick something up. It was a noticeable sound if someone was standing next to me while I bent down. I didn't want to stop running, but the pain was getting severe. Should I have my knees scoped? The answer, for me, was not surgery but a radical new way to run called barefoot running. That was over four years ago and I haven't looked back.


I didn't really understand back then that I was a "stupid" runner. Even more than a stupid runner, I was clueless regarding what good running form should be -- the kind of form that promotes correct body movement, especially in my legs and feet. Most shod runners don't have problems. But then there were those few, like myself, who seemed to be able to get away with running "stupid" for a while, and they would eventually get injured and just take time off from running. That wasn't good enough for me, because I didn't want to give up my love of running even for one day! However, with any "addiction" there is a price to pay and I paid it with severe injuries that I thought would end my running career. However, a day came in October 2003 that would change my running forever. Inevitably, this knowledge of proper placement would enable me run effortlessly and injury-free. It was truly like setting a captive free once I received this personal truth.

Years before, I was enslaved to a different pain. It was the sickness of a body of death that manifested most demonstrably through alcoholism and addiction. I remember those nights of lying on my bed with sickening drunkenness possessing my body and mind. Even worse, I remember the mornings and the horror of knowing I was in chains to the demon alcohol and that I was doomed to continue doing its bidding. Then there was the "not knowing". What had I done the night before? Where had I been? The anguish of mind and soul as I dealt with the guilt of my own powerlessness through black out drinking. Who or what could set me free from this body of death?

Once I finally did put the plug in the jug in 1992 and recommit my life to the Lord, the terror ended. I once again started back on that road to freedom and to the "Zion" of total restoration of body, soul, and spirit. I was one of the fortunate ones. A lot of folks go through life never knowing that their "form" is all messed up because they don't have anything "demonstrably" wrong. They consider themselves to be pretty good people. They go to church and tithe and do some charity work occasionally. Yet, some who look good on the outside -- like they are doing all the right things are merely masking the loneliness and sense of loss within. Doing what looks right on the outside, they convince themselves that they are free yet they are captives to their own sense of self-righteousness.

The way back from any captivity is first acknowledging that one is a captive. Secondly, to know how to be set free and to take action toward that freedom. Third, is to walk in that liberty. It was not enough for me to know that I was a stupid runner, but I needed to change my form (for me, barefoot running was the key). As a sinner that was a demonstrative drunk, it was a matter of surrendering my life and will to the Lord Jesus to allow Him to set me free. Today, I thank God that my maladies, both physically and spiritually, were catalysts to propel me to their respective solutions. My prayer for others is that God would shake us all out of our "comfort", our mediocrity, our casual lives and propel us toward radical living. Jesus said to the church at Laodicea in Revelations the third chapter that He wishes that His church were either hot or cold -- but since they were but lukewarm He would spew them out of His mouth. Don't be as the Laodiceans. Be radical! Be on fire for God. Do you know that God has set you free? Are you on a joyous journey to your respective "Zion"? Or has God not dealt with you in a breaking way where you are "By the rivers of Babylon ... weeping, remembering the lushness of Zion?" I tell you my friend, you and I will never understand what true freedom from captivity is until we have wept over our sin. Only then will we truly know the joy of His salvation!

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick

Acting on God's Promises - October 22, 2017

I Kings 3:12-13 - Behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.

To the most part, I remember my parents being good for their word. When they promised something, they usually carried through. However, most parents learn not to promise unless they know they will be able to deliver. Phrases such as "we'll see" or "maybe" might often represent the wisdom of parents to know they may not be able to definitively to do as they say. While these may seem like "weasel words" to some, they can often keep us from speaking presumptuously and causing unnecessary disappointment. As a child, I remember one instance where my father promised me something and could not deliver due to circumstances beyond his control. When he made the promise, he very well thought he could keep it. I was hugely disappointed when he told me he could not keep his promise. At 12 years old I can still remember sobbing for an entire afternoon, blaming my father for telling me something and not being able to carry through.

Of course I forgave him. That is what we do as human beings as we look to ourselves and see how we can often make promises and likewise not follow through. However, as a child, I believe there is an innate longing and desire for promise keepers in our lives that will never let us down. When we find out our parents and others are as fallible as we are, it can often cause us to become cynical and jaded toward others when they continue to fail us. That is why it is paramount to understand the ideal of a Promise Keeper, and that is God Himself. As we see in our lead verse, God's conversation in Solomon's dream did not contain any "we'll see's" or "maybes." Instead, we see a God who states He had "given" the king a "wise and discerning heart" and also "riches and honor."

It would be superfluous to believe the moment Solomon woke up that he was the wisest man in the world, just as it would be foolish to believe that God had caused massive wealth and great honor to likewise manifest. This is the stuff of fairy tales where genies "poof" things into existence! Instead, God had surely given these things to Solomon as his inheritance. Now, it was time for the king to begin acting upon the truths of these promises and start obtaining them. Surely, those closest to him the day after his dream did not say, "Why Solomon, you seem so wise today! What happened to you?" Rather, God gives us a glimpse into Solomon acting upon the promise of God in his judgment between the two harlots and their quarrel over who was the rightful mother of a disputed child (see I Kings 3:16:28). Solomon's wisdom astounded all those who heard regarding how he settled the feud. The Scriptures explain it in the following: "When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had handed down, they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice" (I Kings 3:28). Until Solomon acted upon God's promise for wisdom, no one probably could tell any difference in the king. Likewise, not until Solomon began gathering wealth and respect from other nations did he start to manifest God's promise of "riches and honor."

When God gives us a promise, it is always in the Definitive or Simple Past tense. He regards it as a completed action, just as we should also. However, degrees of manifestation are often characteristic of how we believe and ultimately act on these respective promises. If Solomon had thought to himself, "Well, that was an interesting dream," and then did nothing about it, we probably would not equate Solomon to the wisest and richest king of the Kingdom Age of Israel. However, just as he acted upon his dream, we must do likewise when God whispers to our souls. We may never have a dream like Solomon but we all have a vision (or visions) which God has entrusted to us regarding his gifts and callings for our lives. If He has spoken a word, it is without revocation (Romans 11:29). God has graciously given each and every one of us promises. It is now our responsibility to act on them and ensure they become a reality.

Heavenly Father, allow us to resurrect every promise You have ever spoken to us and to act upon them until they come to fruition. Grant us the wisdom to act upon Your spoken word to our hearts, knowing that You see these gifts and callings as ours already, even if they are not flowing through our lives today. We ask for Your grace and mercy to see as You see and then to move with faith to make Your dreams and Your vision a reality. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick

A Proper Education - October 15, 2017

Galatians 3:24 - Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

Elementary school years were, for the most part, good years for me. I got along well with my teachers and fellow students and generally brought home good grades. My fifth grade teacher is the one who stands out as the one who had the most influence over my early education. This educator was a kind soul, yet had a firm hand. She loved teaching, it was clear. When I was in her class she was in the twilight of her life and had taught many years. There was a special affection that grew between Mrs. Spearman and I throughout that year. She knew that I loved her grandmotherly ways, and she returned my respect with special care of her own. I remember once I had written a poem about winter and sledding and she read it to the class with great emphasis and a smile that was evident when she read each line. She asked the class who they thought wrote the poem. Some said this one or that one. At the time, I was very shy and had not given any indication of my desire to write. They never guessed it was me until she told them so with affection in her voice. I was so proud of that moment, that this kind teacher would honor me in such a small way. Nearly fifty years later, I still remember that day and will always remember her with great love and admiration for taking the time and effort to validate me amongst my peers.

We may have someone in our past who made all the difference shaping our young lives. It may have been a teacher, a relative, or a close friend. Regardless, we are all tutored and shaped by those things around us. That is, what we allow to shape us. Whether we realize it or not, our upbringings, traditions, mores, and a myriad of other influences are why we are the person we have become today, at this very moment in time. For most of us, our parents and what they dictated became the major catalyst in building the character we possess. These were likely more than suggestions but they were the law for most of us. They were "you darn well better do it if you know what's good for you" commandments that, if we transgressed, meant some type of punishment that usually was not pleasant. I tried to avoid my parents displeasure along these lines as much as possible in my formative years. However, as previously implied, my educational disciplines fell off in conjunction with my rebellious attitudes at home. In my early teens, no longer did I care about listening to teachers, parents, or any type of authority. For many years after, I would suffer the consequences of this foolish behavior. However, even as our lead verse states, "the Law" was having its desired effect on me. The commandments of society, my parents, and most importantly God, were leading me to an end of myself and my eventual surrender to Christ. For without the Law showing me how far I had spiraled downward out of control, I would have never seen my great need for Jesus Christ. He is our benchmark regarding how far as lost sinners we have all fallen from grace.

Initial surrender to Jesus Christ is imperative to once again be restored to that grace that only He can give. However, surrender is not a one time event. Paul tells us in I Corinthians 15:31 that he surrendered to Christ daily, insisting on dying daily for His Lord. In this regard, I would pose this question: How teachable are we? Do we allow God's law to bring us to a place of understanding and surrender regarding our inability to save ourselves? The law will produce various responses. Three relevant to our lead verse are as follows:

(1) We are doing pretty good compared to most people
(2) We just need to try harder and do better, and
(3) There is no way I can fulfill what God wants ... Lord, help me!

Of course, the most sensible response is number three. To the point where pride is alive in our old sin nature is the degree where we will deny we need God's help. As the Lord stated through Jeremiah, "they have turned their backs to me instead of their faces" (Jeremiah 32:33).

Education should be a life-long endeavor. I thank God for memories such as my fifth grade teacher and the loving tutor she will always be in my life. Through her kindness and love, I was able to see how learning is something to be embraced, not shunned. We all have earthly teachers that instruct us throughout our lives regarding life's lessons. However, there are some teachings that cannot be ignored, and these are God's commandments through His word. The psalmist tells us how the Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul (Psalm 19:7). We can either run from this great instructor, or embrace it and allow it to transfigure our lives. Beloved of the Lord, the only way we can receive proper education from God is to allow His "tutor" to instruct us. The gaze of the soul toward God's Law will only happen when we turn our face towards His and surrender to His direction.

Fairest Lord Jesus, thank you for sending Your great Law to tutor us. Thank you for showing us our great need regarding how far we have fallen from You. Allow us to embrace and love Your Law, for it truly does restore our souls and causes us to delight in the transformation of our beings into Your likeness. In Your precious Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick

The Prodigal Son - October 8, 2017

The following is part of a sermon I delivered at the Kansas City Rescue Mission on May 8, 2008. To listen to the entire message, click the following link or the one at the end of the sermon text.

The Prodigal Son - May 8, 2008

I believe many of us in this room this evening can identify with the words of Jesus' parable. Let's face it – we're not high rollers if we ended up here tonight. I will wager that not one of us said, "I think I'll leave the comfort of my luxurious home and family to come down and spend a night at the mission. I need to come down and eat and sleep with 50 other guys because I am just getting quite sick of all this comfort and love that I’ve been accustomed to." The truth of the matter is this: Those of us who have spent night after night in missions are there out of necessity and not out of choice. For some of us, this is the “last house on the block”, because all have given up on us. We can relate to the prodigal as he hires himself out to the farmer at the time of famine because he has no other place to go. He is very much like some of you in this room tonight that have exhausted all of your resources. Some of you get monthly checks where you live "high on the hog" for the first few days of the month and then are like the prodigal and are forced to humiliate yourself by relying on missions for a meal and a covering over your head. Others have alienated every friend that you have in regular society because you have used them up like you have “used” throughout your lives with alcohol and drugs. And so, for whatever reason, here you sit once again because you don't have any other option but to rely on the mercy of Christian brothers and sisters that will reach out a hand. Of course there is another option. Every one here has the option of "coming to your senses" like the prodigal did. As I have a finger pointed out at you in the audience tonight, I have three fingers pointed back at myself. I too have sat where you sit. I have heard the appeal of God through someone who has stood where I am standing tonight. The only difference between you and me is that I made a choice to do things differently. This evening, we are going to see how to “do things differently” through the example of the prodigal.

You see, the prodigal was much like many of you when you were younger. Many of you were once part of society before giving yourselves over to alcohol and drugs and then finally to the streets. Back then, you could still give yourself to others and be part of your community because you weren't a total "taker and User". However, drugs and alcohol kept taking from you every bit of selfless living that you once possessed. Addiction is a cruel taskmaster. It bleeds us of every bit of selfless living and makes us demand of ourselves and others to do what is best for "self". It made you a person where all you could think about was your next drink or drug. In so doing, you began using up those people around you where you ended up totally isolated. The "inheritance" of good morals and thinking of others, other than yourself, that your parents or others taught you had gone by the wayside. No longer did you care for anyone but yourself. The time had come where all your inheritance or all that you once had as a self-respecting person of the community had been spent up and now you had hired your self out to your own self destructive behavior. You are no longer your own master, but Satan and your own fleshly alcoholic and addictive nature now rules you. You have given yourself up to the streets just as the prodigal gave himself up to feed swine.

All of us have different “tops” before we hit our respective “bottoms. Some of us had everything at one time – families, good jobs, beautiful homes, fine cars. Others had some of this or maybe none of this. It doesn’t matter. We all had a “high point” in our respective lives before we started the plummet into selfishness, addiction, and sin. Sin is patient and waits for us and grabs hold of our lives at our most vulnerable point, dragging us down to a place of hopelessness. That’s where I was 16 years ago. Years before, I had experienced the streets and was probably closer to going back on the streets than I had been in a long time. Through years of binge drinking and living off of others, I had hit bottom. I had fallen from my own “high point” in life and had wasted the years of love and care that my family instilled in me. It was the beginning of my end.

We have all wandered away from God and man. Your case is just more evident than most, as it was in my case. Other than a brief encounter with God in 1976, my life was a continual running away to that “distant land” as it talks about in the reading. Sure, I had times when I could put together some sobriety, but there were more painful times when I had less than what I see many of you possess. There were times when everything I had was stolen because I was living on the streets and the clothes I wore were filthy. For me, the best thing to do was to keep moving from town to town and city to city, sleeping wherever I was offered a place to sleep. I stayed in several missions and Salvation Army locations throughout those years. Many times I huddled in a covered area in a vacant lot or any other place where I could be out of sight and out of the weather.

So what does it take to come to one's senses like the prodigal? As many of you know, it is not something you can automatically turn on just when you want it. It is not like saying, "Well, that was a pretty horrible experience living on the streets so now I think I will go back to what I had before and become a respectable person once again." If it was as easy as that, many of you would have gone back to respectability long ago. But what you have found is that you are trapped and do not have the will power or the understanding of how to return. I am going to challenge you tonight that very possible the prodigal did not know how to return either, but he made a crucial decision and started on that journey. The scripture states that "he came to his senses". This implies to me that he had not yet come to a place of total repentance, but yet he knew that he must start toward a different live. His senses were convincing him that he had made wrong decisions and now he must remedy his decisions. First of all, he was probably appalled that his clothes were rags. (As I look out in the audience tonight I see that most are dressed quite nice. I am always amazed about this country’s so called "poor". Our street people and poor dress nicer than most of the rest of the world.) Next, he felt the hunger in his stomach knowing that his father's servants were fed much better than what he was presently experiencing. And, lastly but probably even more important, he felt the utter loneliness of being isolated -- isolated from all his former life of family and friends. He was all alone because of the choices he had made and he began to understand this. It wasn't anything anyone did to him. He had a good upbringing as many of you did. Even those of you who did not, it doesn't matter. It was still your choice and the sooner you recognize that you are responsible for the choices you made in life the better. I don't care if your mother and father beat you with barbed wire every Sunday and rammed your heads into the refrigerator on Mondays, it was still you who made the choices that have brought you here tonight. Sure, you may be disadvantaged more than others, but that doesn't mean that God's hand was not there to pull you up if you but have asked and insisted that He do so.

Some of you here tonight would love to get free. You just don't think you know how. The key is to start on the journey back to the Father. Even as the prodigal did not necessarily have all that he wanted when he came to his senses, he knew that in order to get back a portion of what he had lost that he must start the journey back. The scripture says when the prodigal left that he went to a distant country to squander his wealth. The journey back to his father was undoubtedly tough. He had no food, no shelter, and it probably took weeks or months. However, he kept on going knowing that he had no other choice. Was it tough? Of course it was but the alternative was intolerable in the mind of the prodigal. Has the alternative of the streets become intolerable in your minds tonight? It had in mine that is why I can stand before you tonight as a recovering alcoholic of 16 years. When I put the plug in the jug it was just the beginning of my journey back. There are some here tonight that will always scoff at “returning to God”. There are some here who laugh behind the backs of those who have made a decision to enter the Christian Development Program here at KCRM and start the journey back. These are those who have not come to the end of themselves. Possibly, they never will. They will succumb to hopelessness and give themselves to the “swine” of their own circumstances because they don’t have the sense to do otherwise. However, some of you here tonight are on the brink of a decision. You feel yourself on the precipice of hopelessness and you don’t want to fall in, but you desperately want to start to a repentant life with the Lord. How do I start back? Well, like the prodigal you start by starting. You come to your senses and you first tell God that you are ready to start back. Then, you tell everyone in this room that you’re ready to start the journey back. Will it be easy? I guarantee it won’t. Will there be those that will help you? Undeniably! Paul stated in the book of Romans, “Where sin abounds, grace does abound all that much more!!” He is waiting for you tonight to first come to your senses. Understand that you have done a horrible job of steering your life up to this point and that you are ready to begin to have God steer your life back to a life centered on Jesus rather than self.

Lord Jesus, help those that are wanting a changed life to come to their senses tonight and make a decision for you. Let them know that You will be with them every step of the way as they start their journey back to the Father of Mercy. In Jesus name, amen.

The Prodigal Son - May 8, 2008

Your Barefoot Servant,

Barefoot Rick

God's Name - October 1, 2017

Psalm 75:1 - We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, for Your Name is near; Men declare Your wondrous works.

Years ago, a young lady who attended our church wore a button from time to time out in public which caused quite a stir. I guess you could say it was a campaign button of sorts. In large block letters it read: CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, GOD'S LAST NAME IS NOT DAMN! She was on a crusade to make people realize how flippant the vast majority of folks are with God's Name. Of all people, she understood the power of the Name. In the mid-1970s, her husband was within days of succumbing to cancer. All of his hair was gone from chemotherapy and radiation treatments and he was emaciated from the long struggle. Simply, he was a mere shell of a man after cancer had its way with him. A group of believers, led by a faith-filled preacher, stood around his bed and prayed for his healing. Miraculously, he was healed instantly. Within days, his strength had returned and his hair began to grow back. That is about the time I met this beautiful couple. We were all new Christians and were energized by this move of God upon this young man's life. (This healing was documented by The 700 Club and confirmed by his doctors in 1977.) Through this ordeal and subsequent healing, I believe the Lord gave his wife a revelation of the Name of Jesus. That blessed, wonderful Name healed her husband of the cancer that almost destroyed him. Her "campaign button" was merely her tongue-in-cheek way of telling others that God's Name means so much more than a glib expression uttered in anger or exclaim.

Today, OMG is touted by many as one of the most used abbreviations in text messaging. Every generation, including this one, seems to find new ways to marginalize God's Name. Using the Lord's Name in a curse word, or to glibly say " Oh My God!" or "Jesus Christ!" is definitely taking the Lord's Name in vain. However, these often just scratch the proverbial surface. There are much more serious instances of breaking the third commandment (Exodus 20:7). The Lord God Almighty gave Moses this instruction on Mount Sinai over 1400 years before the birth of Christ. But, even then, it was in the heart of the Father for His Son to present a similar commandment on a different mount early in His Son's ministry. When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, he taught his disciples to pray in the sixth chapter of Matthew. The Lord began His instruction by first acknowledging the greatness of His Father's eminence by His location in the eternal heavens -- Our Father who is in heaven. Of great importance is His next statement: Hallowed (or holy) be Your Name! (Matthew 6:9). Jesus not only declared His Father's omnipotence by His preeminence, ruling over heaven and earth, but He also instructed humankind to regard the Name as holy. We might read or hear this and the significance might not really sink into our understanding. However, the holiness of the Name implies that it is set apart for everything beholden to the nature of the Most High.

The Name not only characterizes God, but it explains His attributes or His way He interacts with His creation. Even as Yeshua's (Jesus') Name means "Jehovah is Salvation", the Son of God understood the significance of both His Name and that of His Father's. Their Names were inextricably linked through their relationship of the Godhead, thus allowing the Name to have the same power on earth, as it did in heaven. So, if God the Father's nature meant love, salvation, mercy, healing, wisdom, and many more, than the Name would also be synonymous with His nature. That's why Jesus proclaimed the importance in John 16:23 of us asking in His Name, because then the Father would release the answers to our prayers. However, there is one provision. We must "hallow" His Name, regarding the Name as holy and not trivialized by vain requests. A religious mind-set devoid of any true relationship with God may often be guilty of taking the Lord's Name in vain in ways we may not have considered. If we don't regard Him truly as "Father" by faith, then we seek Him through our own works. When we approach God in this manner, we hold to a form of godliness, although we have denied its power (II Timothy 3:5).

Taking the Lord's Name in vain is a travesty. If we call ourselves Christians and we don't cringe when we hear someone damn something by the Beautiful Name, then we should question our faith and whom we've believed. If we don't consider Yahweh or His Son Yeshua's Name as holy, we won't hold it with reverence concerning how we invoke His Name in our supposed relationship with Him. As Psalm 75:1 states, when the Name of God (whether Jehovah, Yahweh, or Yeshua [Jesus]) is near to us, we will declare the goodness of that Name with all its "wondrous works". Our thanksgiving for God revealing His glorious Name to us will fill us with awe and reverence. Never more will we regard the Name to be used in a vain way, whether through flippant text-messaging or through a life that vainly seeks God in such a way denying the very power of the Name which wrought salvation for all. Much like my friend from years ago, we will recoil from those who would objectify the Name as a vanity upon the lips of mankind, where it means nothing but a curse. For those spiritually in tune with the Spirit of the Lord, we will further understand when we or others are living vain lives that purport God but which deny Him and the power of His Name. The rapturous beauty of the revealed Son within our lives will provoke relationship rather than a vain pursuit that leads to emptiness. May we all seek the Lord until He would reveal Himself to each of us, showing us the holy power that transforms us all through the revelation of the Name.

Heavenly Father, Great Jehovah, we humbly bow before Your throne of grace, asking You to reveal Your Name and the power thereof. We ask to understand, by Your great wisdom, all You desire for us to experience in this relationship with You and Your Son. May we never take Your Name in vain, either by word or by deed. Help us to hallow Your Name everyday, in everyway. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Barefoot Servant,

Rick