June 6, 2013 by Phil Larson

www,examiner.com

Matthew 5: 15: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Night is a dark time. It takes candles to brighten. It takes light greater than the darkness. In our own homes, we need light in the evenings. Surely in our own house, we should shine brightest. Yes, darkness even will come on our own homes and families. They need light too.

Oklahoma has been pummeled with storms. They take away our brightness. They cause days to be dark. They destroy what is good and healthy. In the darkness, we have more questions. Storms make day seem like night.

Over the years, I’ve had companies close and shift management styles leaving me to scramble for the next assignment. Betrayals of trust rampant in the politics of power bring on dark adjustments. It happens. Life happens. Darkness can mask real value in life. Darkness can shade goodness so it is hard to see clearly.

Beside the walk up to my front door are some battery powered lights. They are charged by the rays of the sun during the day. In the winter, they do not shine for very long in the evening as they get little charge. They are in a fairly darkened walkway, except in the Summer. One evening, I noticed they stayed on quite long into the evening. The sun had hit them more fully than it has for months. Days can change. We can change how long the light stays bright.

Our light to the world is like those solar powered batteries. When we spend a lot of time with the Son, our light stays lit longer in the darkness. We are able to light up the darkness for longer when we spend longer with Him. God gets the credit as the source and energizer. Our seasons of light are determined by our choices.

No matter the source of darkness, our light can shine. Storms, seasons, and the shade of disappointment all create darkness. A little light helps us to see again the blessing and value and vital strength of life. Love of family did not move, it just is shaded for a moment. Strength of heart did not dissipate, it is just over in the corner under a cloud. Friends did not abandon, they just stepped into a darkened room for a day. Turn on the light.

ACT! Take some time to get a full charge. If you have had more Winter sun than Summer Son, you need to actively seek His face. Take an extra 10 minutes a day this week to charge up on Christ.

PRAY! Father, this is Your hour. Let us get fully aware and embraced by Your presence. Cause Your Holy Spirit to breath gently into our lives. Let the light of Your Son, Jesus to come into us and strengthen our souls. Help us to let that light then shine across our families, our homes, our neighborhoods, our workplace, and our community by your influence. Help us to see through the darkness into lighted corners escaping our attention. Show us value and blessing that is hiding in the darkness.

Meet Jesus : Light of the World Matthew 5:13

May 20, 2013 by Phil Larson

What does it mean to be the light of the world? Connection to Jesus means we become the light of the world. Connection to Jesus means we are a part of a city on a hill that cannot be hid. It is not us individually to whom He speaks. It is us, the City of God, the people of God, to whom He speaks. Together in Him, we are the light of the world. Our world is dark. Our world is pained. Our world is putrid. Get it straight. This world is full of shadows. It is wrong because it is disconnected from the light. Jesus came and spoke to the world to change to a different way of thinking. He spoke for this world to think light not dark. When we connect with Him we connect with a message of light. Together, the body of Christ, is meant to shine a light on problems. It is meant to shine solutions for our metro. This city to which we are attached is full of solutions for others to see and grasp and join.

Of course, you may pay a high price. Businesses and government and education are afraid of Christianity. They have been put in fearful positions by those opposed, who have sought limitation in the name of liberation. Choices have to be made. Promotions will be lost. Contracts will not close. There are costs to being affiliated with Christ. Do it. Pay the price. Carry your cross. Better to shine a light in a dark world knowing some will be blessed and released from pain than to hide it under fear and intimidation and leave others to suffer knowingly.

ACT! Shine a light. It is so easy to not be like Christ. It is so easy to skip praying over a meal in public. It is so easy to just not mention your friends and relationships in Christ. When conversation at lunch turns to others talking about movies and shows and new homes and kids in school, how do you talk? Are you free to mention your friends in Christ? Are you open to talk about a great sermon you heard or a meaningful worship service that stirred your soul? Can you mention the peace you have in personal relationship? Do you have the courage? Are you willing to be seen connected to the city on the hill?

PRAY! Padre Precioso, Precious Father, I am committed to join the city and be known as joined to the city. It is risky. It is risky to be known. Even according to Your word, it can bring persecution. It can bring misunderstanding. It can bring dissension. But, Father, I am committed to be known by Your name. Let me not be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ that calls us to live as light in a dark world. Let me not be ashamed of the name of Jesus. Let me not be ashamed. Let not my enemies of my world, my flesh, and the devil triumph over me.

Meet Jesus : Life’s Flavoring Matthew 5:13

May 5, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 5: 13: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Be Salty: Jesus is a challenge to my life. Meeting Him in the early morning hours means letting Him prod into parts of my life that sometimes I would rather hide. But I know His salt is good and will flavor my life. I know His light is kind and will dispel darkness in my life. Then I become the salt. Then I become the light of Jesus.a

Calling someone salty is not always a compliment. It is a term used to describe a somewhat irritating person with a lean toward sarcasm. That is not the saltiness for us. We need savory salt. The kind that makes a person want more not less.

Shiny Shoes: As I shined my shoes for tomorrow, it reminded me of an encounter on the streets of Chicago. A street vendor came up and buffed my shoes with some concoction. None of that mattered. It just mattered to me to look into his eyes and challenge him to a life more fully lived in Christ. He talked about his upbringing and challenges of living on the streets with a yearning for more. It was a simple conversation and his decisions are his to make. Another vendor had attempted the same in New Orleans some time back, but I had no thought of challenging him at the time. Sometimes, I wonder, “What is the difference?” Why do I speak at one time and hold at another? I’d like to think it is sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, but most times when I don’t speak it is sensitivity to the people around me. My candle gets a bushel plopped on top.

ACT! Spread a little salt today. Talk about Jesus. First, think about Him. What is it that challenges your life that exists in His life?

PRAY! Holy Father of love and light. Flavor my life with Jesus today so that I might flavor the lives of others with Jesus. He is so precious, so kind, so alive. So many times, I fail to acknowledge You to others. So many times I put the bushel over the light. Pierce through me so that salt can’t be masked. Flow through me so that the light comes out through the cracks in my fearful bushel. Teach me, Lord. Let the salt of Your word embed in my makeup.

Meet Jesus: Rewarded Matthew 5:12

May 3, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 5: 1: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, … 12: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Connection with Jesus is a connection with reward. The reward is not free. It comes with great price in this world and great blessing in the next. Sometimes we want that formula changed to blessing here and blessing there. There is a time of blessing in this world. There is a time of persecution in this world. Sometimes they are the same item. When we follow Jesus, we must be willing to embrace both and not be deterred by either. To address persecution as blessing is an enigma only those that know the honor of being joined with Christ can understand.

Anne’s Pressure: The press against Ann was intense. She had taken this new position in obedience more than desire. Over the last few years, she had seen the team go from pitiful performers to top class award winners. The team performance was receiving notice from across the company. Ann simply prayed to be faithful and do the right things. God had answered and given her favor and wisdom. The results were good for the company many times over. Now, she had been promoted in place of her director. The rumors in the workplace were heavy. People talked. All she wanted to do was serve faithfully. This was a blessing. This was a persecution.

ACT! The fear of persecution has stopped more than one person from stepping into greatness in God. Is there a fear in you of blessing that leads to success? Are you afraid of the concurrent potential persecution? Put down the fear. Understand that God, Himself is on your side. He will strengthen you in blessing, though it may take all the strength you have in Him to truly enjoy.

PRAY! Father, deliver me from the fear of greatness. Deliver me from the evil that would avoid victory because of the attendant persecution. Break loud in my soul the blessing of Your assignment. Teach me to fearlessly embrace the victorious living in Christ. Teach me that persecution is the greatest blessing when it finds me because of faithfulness to Your name and Your assignment for my life.

Meet Jesus: Ill Will Matthew 5:11

April 29, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 5: 1: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, … 11: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Reviled, persecuted, falsely accused, and discussed with cussedness is the condition of a follower of Jesus. Now, that was His condition. And, now, that is our condition. It is a strange communion with Christ that we desire. We want to be like Him in every way except this one. Sure, we would like to be gracious and kind and merciful and full of miracles. But, do we want the accompaniment? Jesus was conditioned to being treated this way every place He went. Are we?

During the televangelist season of failure in the 1980s, a co-worker approached me on break. This had been a hard time as many personal failures of Christian leaders were in the media and being talked about in congregations. Jimmy Swaggart was one of those in the news regularly. This co-worker made a crude comment about the minister and the accusations in the papers. True or not, I had no idea. My retort was to encourage them to find truth before repeating the news lest they find themselves against God. Even if it was true, why would they wish ill will to the man? Over years, he had been used of God to bless many. Now there was a reported failure. Wouldn’t we want him to be restored? Wouldn’t we want him to enjoy family for the remaining years of life? Wouldn’t we want repentance and continued good works? The co-worker really wasn’t attacking Jimmy Swaggart. They were attacking the cause of Christ and possible hypocrisy. That is a dangerous game to play. Who wants to be one to accuse Christ of inconsistency?

ACT! Have you ever verbally wished ill will to another Christian? Did you do it out of envy? Have you ever heard someone else do this? Did you participate by listening? The next time you hear an accusation against a brother or sister in Christ, rise to their defense. Bless them in your prayers and bless them in the hearing of others. Don’t entertain the ill will.

PRAY! Father, this kingdom of heaven is a strange life. We find ourselves continually beset with accusations when we do good and needing to bless others in the same. In the kingdom, we are joined in Christ to the same body. In the kingdom, what affects one affects the other. Teach us to be blessors, especially when others in Christ are attacked. Teach us to turn what the enemy means for ill will into something of blessing. Teach us to walk in the kingdom.

If we can pray for you regarding anything in your life, please let us know. Our greatest blessing is to bless others in prayer. . www.prayermetro.com Phil@shepherdok.com

Meet Jesus: Discerning Kingdom Matthew 5:10again

April 27, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 5: 1: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, … 10: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Marks of Honor: Being a joint-heir with Jesus is a great honor. With that honor comes challenge, persecution, problems, and pain. Those four lead us to discern the kingdom of heaven. As Jesus walked this earth, His life was full of all four of these semi-pessimistic issues. Man tends to get trapped in the pain of the issues instead of seeing the possibilities. Jesus never became trapped. At the high point at which all four converged on the cross, He was still looking to the joy that was set before Him. He was still pointing a man to paradise. He was still persisting in taking care of family and friends. He was still speaking of salvation available. He was still talking to the Father. He was still submitting to the will of God for His life and living. He was discerning of the kingdom behind the scene.

Kingdom Sink Holes: The realization that kingdom living includes all of the items listed above must sink in to our souls. It is a kingdom of challenge, persecution, problems, pain, possibility, joy, righteousness, peace, paradise, family, friends, care, salvation, encouragement, conversation, submission, service, and more. This kingdom in which we are called to live today and tomorrow and beyond is not as super simple as we want it to be. It is fulfilling. It is live to the max. It is a joy unspeakable in the middle of pain indescribable.

Robert’s Doubling Day Dilemma: The complex issues pushing against Robert’s heart stymied progress on his studies. For two years he had been in this MBA program. Now he was beginning to doubt he could finish. His teenagers were struggling through issues that needed his time and counsel. Betty, Robert’s wife, faced a rocky middle life every day that rattled her emotions and body. She needed him. Sales were down as he needed time to do the studies. That meant less income as his eldest daughter completed her last year at the university. Men from his study group at church were calling for time and a merciful ear. This morning, Robert knew he was involved in all the right places. Now he needed strength to go forward. His prayer was soft and intense at once. “God, I need help.”

ACT! What the mix of your life in the kingdom? Are you moving forward? Have the normal problems pushed you out of the path you seek? Take inventory of the mix. What is going right? What is going wrong? What are you doing in the middle? Make sure you are doing the right things not those that are most pressing.

PRAY! Father, this kingdom of heaven is a strange life. Yes, Father, I submit that it is a life not a place. The kingdom affects me every day.

Father, can You show me some light this morning. Show me the peace that comes after persecution. Show me the joy the will be revealed after the pain has passed. Reveal to me the strength and endurance that will be built in me as the challenge is engaged and conquered. Let me see Your face.

As Moses called out to see You, Father, so do I. It is Your glory that will inspire me. It is the blessing of the beauty of the kingdom that will give me strength to continue. Keep me focused on living in righteousness concerning the right actions and thoughts not the comfortable items.

Meet Jesus: The Walk of Persecution Matthew 5:10

April 24, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 5: 1: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, … 10: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Walk: To walk with Jesus links us with persecution and suffering. His walk on earth was full of many sorrows. Some of those were the normal sorrows all of us endure such as loss of family members, friends being sick and just normal stuff. Some of those sorrows were persecutions from friends and trusted people and strangers. One of His greatest persecutors was the religious leaders of the day. These were men dedicated to God. These were men, whom the Father worked with daily to grow understanding. These should have been friends of Jesus and the message He brought. His message was a fulfillment of thousands of years of promises. These very people turned on the God they worshipped and persecuted Him. We are joined to that persecution when we are joined to Him.

Brian’s Exchange: The exchange was painful. Brian had worked for this company for four years. He had put in countless weekends and nights. Calls came at all hours of the day. Last year, his direct reporting structure had changed. This new vice president was different. During his annual review, Brian had gotten two messages. 1. Prayer has no place at work. 2. You need to be less involved outside of work. The company doesn’t like it.

Why a Problem Now? This had never been a problem before. For years he had been active in the faith community as a volunteer. Now, his personal life was being attacked by his work management. There was nothing active at the work place other than visiting with folks over break and lunch. The attack was devastating. He really had no experience to compare with this. The hardest part was that the organization purported to the public to be linked to a large Southern denomination. To the employees behind the scenes it was something different.

ACT! How do you return blessing for cursing when you are persecuted? Scripture tells us to bless those that persecute us. Have you ever been in the situation of real persecution for your faith? Think of a way to bless those that persecute you for your faith.

PRAY! Father, persecution from anyone is hard. Persecution from those from whom we expect blessing is super hard. How do we survive? How do we handle it? How do we continue in good works even in the middle of the mess? Teach us, Father. Show us the path of Christ. Show us how to reach out and continue to spread the gospel when the environment is hard. Teach us to pray and bless over those that persecute that they might get connected with Christ themselves. Help those that persecute us to have the eyes of their understanding enlightened. Help them to see. Help them to engage love in all they do. Bless them abundantly.

Meet Jesus: Persecuted To Life Matthew 5:10

April 24, 2013 by Phil Larson

When you are truly persecuted because you represent a higher standard of living and love than another, you can triumph. The kingdom of heaven is about living in love in this world regardless of circumstance.

Matthew 5: 10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Persecution is a tough concept. Persecution because you represent a higher frame of living than your persecutors is not as common as some think. But it is more common than we want to believe. There are people convicted by their own selfishness that will trap those living in love and service. Love is the higher standard. Service is the higher standard. Reward comes.

Maybe an employer toughens your work and restricts your freedom because you live to a higher standard. It is common. There is no law enforceable against it. It happens. Reward comes.

Persecution does not mean having a hard life. Persecution is specific restriction and abuse. Some persecute because they have been persecuted. They live out their pain against others. Some persecute because they want control. They enslave others to do their bidding. Some persecute out of ignorance and socialization to please another in some warped sense of reality.

Maybe the legal system toughens your expression and strangles your voice because you choose to serve. It is common. The law supports it. Law may not be fair. Reward comes.

Persecution because you represent a higher standard of love and service is what Jesus represents. Sure those that wanted control came against him. Some were just ignorant. Some were serving their own misguided belief systems. But some attacked because Jesus dared to love and serve. They just could not stand to see love and acceptance that was not based on fear and control.

Maybe family sneers and scoffs and questions your motives. It happens. Live and love them anyway. You may have to stand alone. Reward comes.

Jesus stood above His persecutors. That is where the kingdom survives. Persecutors can’t take it away. It is a matter of the heart. The kingdom of love and service survives persecution and lives for another day and hour. The reward comes.

Persecuted? Keep loving. Keep serving. Live through it to the next hour. Tough? You bet it is. The kingdom is in you. There is reward ahead.

Father, what a day in which You have placed us. There are so many sources of power and control that want to restrict and contain love and service. It should not be this way.

But, Father, You know this world acts this way. You have seen nations abuse nations. You see ideals squash love and acceptance. You witness the inhumanity of people against those they cannot understand and do not wish to accept because of a higher law of love that they live in You.

Relieve those that are persecuted for righteousness and those persecuted for love and those persecuted for service. Restore their fortunes and their heart and loose restrictions. Bring reward in this life, Father. Let them see Your hand in this life, Father.

For these specifically persecuted I pray, Father. Release their love and service that they might be a blessing to the rest of us. For that is what these are, Father. They are meant to be a blessing. Release their joy to bless us. Deliver us from such evil. For Yours is the kingdom.

Meet Jesus: Peacemaker Matthew 5:9

April 22, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 5: 1: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, ….. 9: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Peace is tough to produce. In a world of accusations and self seeking, most want to know quickly, “What’s in it for me?”. That rarely leads to peace. But, we can have peace both inside and out. It takes work.

Nothing soothes the soul like peace. One who makes peace is always welcome. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He will keep you in perfect peace if you stay your mind on him. With prayer, you can ensure your heart and mind are guarded by peace. He is a Shepherd of still waters and quiet resting places. He is peace. These are all promises. And they take work.

Following Him in the peacemaking business will grant you “child of God” status. Hmmmm.. Others are impressed, when you lead to peace what is a troubled situation. Others are impacted when you take a conflict and bring it to resolution. Peace or conflict affects so many people around you that everyone notices the peacemaker. They like to be treated with a peacemaking mentality. People just love it. They will call you a child of God, they love it so much.

The normal way of making peace in organizations is to eliminate one of the parties. Now that is not conflict resolution. Neither is separating them a resolution. That is not peace but tolerance for war and selfishness. Real peace brings the parties together. That is a tougher way of resolution, but the best.

At first peace must be found internally. Our own angsts have to be quiesced. When we are struggling inside, it can be impossible to be at peace with others. The pain just keeps erupting into conversations and communications.

A friend walked into a hectic computer facility some years ago. As he recounts the story, another worker looked straight at him and commented on his peaceful attitude. He laughed. He had felt anything but peaceful. Problems had been growing in number and impact on the company. The constant push and pull had wearied him. Yet, the other person saw was peace. Yes, he had helped many others resolve conflicts. Yes, he tried to put it all on God instead of carrying it. It just made him laugh to think that they saw peace and he felt turmoil. The work of peace in him and on him from the Father amazed him. It was impacting others and he did not realize that fact.
No slick answers here. Just a reminder that peace is work the work. There are promises from the Prince of Peace that He can make it work in you and out of you. Let Him. Work on it.

ACT! Do you make peace with yourself? Do you make peace with others? Do you make peace for others? Think about a situation with strain exists. Don’t pick a conflict, just a strained issue. Take time to speak some encouragement and confidence to the other person before conflict develops.

PRAY! Father, my heart wants to live like You. Being Your child is all I want. Help me follow the paths of peace to be called a child of God. Embrace my heart with peace from the Lord of Peace. Collapse my self-made bubbles and pride with peace in the midst of self-created conflicts. Show me a strain so I can apply the balm of Gilead in peace and encouragement. Peacemakers have smoother days. Let me have it.

Meet Jesus: Pure In Heart Matthew 5:8

April 18, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 5: 1: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, ….. 8: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Jesus truly is pure in heart. His heart has always been to build us. His heart has always been to redeem us. His heart has always been to receive us. And certainly He saw God regularly.

What does it mean to see God? To see Him in that same pure heart is a great privilege. In the book of Genesis, it is common for men to get direct communication from God about circumstance and decisions. Today, that seems uncommon. Many will say, “God told me”, and have no concept of what they are saying. It can be interpreted, “I want to hear this so I did”. Others really did “hear from God” as evidenced in real results consistent with His way and voice.

The pure in heart see God. They have clarity to receive when He speaks. They have a consistency unfiltered by their own desires. Seek purity that thinks of God’s ways not yours.

One study class in a morning gives questions about life and church. They reflect purity of heart. There are a few funny questions meant to make me laugh. Most were direct to the heart. One asked the question, “Why do we interpret the scriptures in different ways and always think we have the correct and only answer?” That one cut to heart. How many times have I been guilty of the answer to that question? This week one of my sons questioned a doctrine I hold dear. Why did it hurt? It isn’t an important doctrine. It is just something special to me. Purity of heart would not be hurt. In a recent sermon picked up over the internet, the minister of a large congregation preached as truth strongly questionable interpretation of unclear verses against another denomination. Maybe he has a little inferiority. I don’t know. But why do we do it? Purity of heart would not want to be right on small matters to the point of being hurt and hurting others.

In the parking lot of a church I was visiting, I met Lillian. This cute, bright girl was about eight. She was part of a group of adults and kids walking from their home to go shopping. The group of four looked inviting so I walked over and introduced myself. The group I was teaching was not ready yet, so I just wandered in the parking lot with a little figgetyness. Lillian bounced and bounced. She figeted, too. She locked on to two of my fingers. Her longing for an adult male figure was evident. She asked if she had to get new cloths to go to a church. Would she have to wear a dress? We laughed and played a little as I told her she only needed to wash her face. Her face was dirty but her heart was hungry. She has a pure motive to come not to a church but to a Jesus living in the members. She just wants love. That is pure. As they walked away Lillian proclaimed loudly, “I have a dress. I’ll wear my dress.” Pure heart.

ACT! Question yourself. Where have you declared “truth” that really was questionable and needed to be questioned and polished before spoken? Is there a way to clear up with those who heard? Do you want to see God? Would you be able to drop all pretense like Lillian and ask simple questions?