Fearing God and nothing else: 3rd day of Lent

So now O Israel what does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being. – Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Many people find it disturbing that we are called to fear God. If the LORD is supposed to be a God of love, than why are we commanded to fear? “Fear” is a very negative concept. We have classes and therapist to help us overcome our fear, and rightfully so. Fear is an idea that completely overtakes someone. We often look down on someone who is often afraid. We encourage people to conquer fear. This is where the commandment to “fear the LORD your God” comes in. God cannot be conquered like fear. God is the all powerful creator, sustainer, beginning and end. In God’s hands are the brightly burning stars, the massive planets and galaxies, the known and unknown. God is unconquerable, and uncontrollable, this should elicit some fear.

Even though we read that the LORD is gracious, loving, and compassionate, we still read that God is justice, and powerful, and if ever we find ourselves on this side of the grave in the Almighty’s presence, we would be afraid. The command to fear the LORD is a command to recognize the intimidating unmatched power of God.

People who work with fire or dangerous animals often will say that you need to have a healthy fear of the fire/animal. Without a healthy fear you will surely get burned or bitten. God is potentially even more dangerous than a fire or animal because while those things can take a life, scripture tells us that only God can take our soul (Matthew 10:28).

This command to fear is difficult because so few people today are raised with loving fathers. My dad loves me, and I surely know this, but even to this day I still fear him. Not that I shake in my boots whenever I am in his presence, but I know if I do something that greatly displeases him there may be great consequences.

Why do our fathers get mad when we do something that displeases him? Is it because they want us to blindly follow them like mindless drones? Is it because they want us to become slaves to their ideals and whims? No, our loving fathers get mad, and we become afraid when we are disobedient because our fathers want the best for us. God is the same way.

We are told that fearing the LORD and obeying God is for our benefit, so that life would go well for us. God gives us commands to follow not for some arbitrary test, but so that life would be good for us. We have a God who wants life to go well, and gives us the steps to accomplish this! God is certainly good!

Registered Believers need not apply; Hearts wanted, not titles

                                                                             Memory Verse #2

So acknowledge today and take to heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other. - Deuteronomy 4:39

There are many people who acknowledge that the LORD is God. Approximately 75% of the United States claim to be Christian. It is hard to see people on television and in the news, who claim to acknowledge Jesus, but then preach a gospel of hate and violence. I hate seeing “political leaders” expressing damnation on homosexuality and people outside their church walls. It is becoming difficult to acknowledge that the LORD is God in public, not because I am ashamed of a loving God who laid his life down for us, but because of the others who have distorted the message. When I acknowledge the LORD as God many people think I am a homophobic, racist, judgmental, finger pointing, fundamental legalist.

Jesus says “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:24). Acknowledging is only the first part of what God calls us to be. We are not only to acknowledge but we are to take to heart that the LORD is God.

I think we have many who acknowledge, but do not truly take to heart. I am not here to try to separate those who merely acknowledge, and those who take to heart, but I do see there is a great difference. Not only is it important that we take to heart that the LORD is God, but it is important that we realize he is God of heaven and earth.

Sometimes we see God upstairs in the heavens divinely controlling all things spiritual in the afterlife. While the LORD has control of heavenly things, he also has in his hands earthly things. The LORD is able to act and intervene in this world because he is God here too.

Finally, there is no other. The LORD is God, plain and simple. You cannot serve the LORD and your politics, you cannot serve the LORD and your money, and you cannot serve the LORD and your homophobic agenda. It is time that we the Church take to heart that the LORD is God, not us, of both heaven and earth, and it is time we give him back our own self proclaimed thrones and scepters.

Ash Wednesday and the Beginning of Lent: 40 passages in 40 days

The plan is 40 scripture passages memorized in 40 days. Alright, so Lent is technically 46 days, but Sundays don’t count, I have to preach those days. Someone informed me that this was not a fair goal since I am a pastor and already have the Bible memorized. Well to shockingly inform many of you, I don’t have the entire Bible memorized (but I can list the books in order to a catchy tune). The plan than is to memorize 40 new scripture verses during Lent. Not only do I look to memorize them for one day, and then move on, but by Easter to be able to recite each verse word from word.

I know many of you think this should be easy for a pastor, but let me guarantee it will not. Some of these passages I know well, but the goal is to have them fully memorized, being familiar with the concept of the verse will not be sufficient. Perhaps to help me be motivated through the process I will begin with a passage that emphasizes the importance of knowing scripture. Each day I will try to post word from word (NRSV) the passage without looking (I will be honest) than I will post below, what the actual passage says. If you like, you are more than welcome to follow along and try to memorize with me.

Joshua 1:7-9

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with whole law that my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it, not to the right hand, or to the left; so that you may be successful wherever you go.
This book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth. You shall meditate on it day and night so that you will be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then your way shall be prosperous, and then you shall be successful.
I herby command you: be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

While I did make a few minor mistakes, I will continue to work on it to make it perfect. This passage is a great reminder about the definition of success and prosperity. According to scripture these highly sought out potentials are only achieved after having kept God’s law in your heart.

Keeping God’s law in your heart does require strength and courage, especially in the case of Joshua. Joshua was getting ready to enter into the Promised Land by way of war. God promises that if he is obedient, and faithful he will have success. Often times we try to follow God backwards. We say, first let me get wealthy and successful and then I will follow God. This is not success. Joy, prosperity comes in knowing the richness of God’s life giving word!