When waiting in the check-out line at your local grocery store, what do you see next to you? Candy bars? Junk food? Miscellaneous items you may have forgotten to pick up while shopping throughout the store? Magazines with the latest celebrity gossip spread across the glossy front cover?

Most of us hate to admit it, but too often as we stand waiting patiently for the check-out line to progress, we browse through those magazines to read about the latest fashions and celebrity break-ups. The Sports Illustrated reader checks which athlete has snagged the highest paying endorsement gig in the industry lately.  For a moment we may find ourselves imagining what it would be like to live one of these indulgent lifestyles we read about, or we simply may catch ourselves envying that fabulous wardrobe or that oversized paycheck.

These self-indulgent lifestyles are celebrated today. The world celebrates independence, success, wealth and beauty; and unfortunately, many of us find ourselves celebrating and seeking after these things, too. In our American society, we are privileged to be able to indulge ourselves in the latest trends and the latest luxuries. While these luxuries are not bad in and of themselves, our indulgence in them leads us to focus on nothing but ourselves, our lives and our rights. In contrast, our faith in Jesus Christ calls us to focus not on ourselves but on Christ and others.

In 2 Peter 2:10-14, Peter gives a not too subtle description of ungodly people: those who ache for satisfaction and aim to pull others into these self-seeking ways along with them. Peter calls these people “bold” and “arrogant.” Today’s society, in fact, encourages us to be bold, courageous, confident and independent. Peter states “… these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand.” This arrogance—this pride—Peter says leads to death. What powerful, and frightening, words.

These are times when we need reminding that though the world calls us into enslavement to materialistic things, as Christians, we are no longer of this world. Our master is Christ, and our calling is to pursue and endorse his teachings. We must remember that we are not called to be what the world ratifies as proper, but we are designated Christians—“little Christs”—and are charged to be like Christ. Therefore, our lives must not point toward ourselves but toward the life that Christ offers.

Peter states in 2 Peter 2:19, “for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” As Christians, even though we profess we follow Christ, we must decide daily, and even moment to moment, whom we will call master. If we choose to let the world be our master and live self-indulgent lives, Peter says we are enslaved. And yet, when we choose to allow Christ to be our master, Christ gives us freedom. That includes freedom from the penalty of sin, of course, but also the opportunity of freedom from sin itself.

In Philippians 3:17-21, the Apostle Paul urges the Philippians to follow his example and the example of those who follow the path to righteousness. This reminds us that even though the world constantly encourages self-gratification, we have numerous fellow Christians to look to for encouragement and strength.

Paul reminds us we are citizens of heaven and not of this earth. We must reject the selfish lifestyle that so easily seduces and keep the cross before us as a reminder of our purpose and our future. Our purpose is determined by God, as is our future. Because of our relationship with him through Jesus, we can dare to trust both our purpose and future to him. Though vested with the personal right to heaven, Jesus followed the Father’s will, became a man and gave his life for all. It was this trust—and the Father’s trustworthiness and power—that led to Jesus’ resurrection.

As Christians, our future is a rich one. As we resist indulging in the world’s selfish treasures, Paul reiterates that Christ “will transform our lowly bodies so that we will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). We cannot fathom the riches and glory of heaven, yet we trust in the truth that it is the most glorious and beautiful existence.

When we keep the cross in the front of our minds, we realize this world has nothing to offer us because our treasure, the only treasure we need, is in heaven. The former is temporary. The latter is eternal.

Questions for discussion

•    In what area in your life do you struggle with self-indulgence?

•    How can we remind ourselves to align our desires with God’s desires and not the world’s?

•    Are you doing a good job at encouraging other Christians around you?  How can we help to encourage and strengthen our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in their walk with Christ as Paul did for the Philippians?

•    What personal right can/should you give up in order to follow in faith God’s will for you?

Controversial topics such as the issue of women in ministry have caused much debate, criticism, fighting and, in some cases, ungodly behavior within Baptist life.

These types of controversial topics tend to raise people’s blood pressure and put them on the defensive. I think if we would remember the wonderful Baptist distinctives of autonomy and priesthood of all believers, some of these issues could be discussed in more effective and constructive ways.

One of the problems of attacking controversial issues rather than dialoguing and working through these issues with one another is we sometimes we use the Bible as a proof-texting weapon instead of learning from the Bible.  The story of Deborah in the book of Judges is one example.
    
The main idea from Judges 4:1-16 and 5:1-7 is the leadership and faithfulness of Deborah to God and the people of Israel. Deborah demonstrates the foundational characteristics of godly leadership. Her strong leadership is rooted in her faithfulness to God. Flowing from her love and faithfulness to God is her love for the people.

Deborah had to have an incredible faith. God asked her to take the key position of leadership in the nation of Israel. Deborah’s role as judge of Israel included judging disputes, priestly duties and political leadership. The culture of her day was fiercely male dominated, and I cannot imagine what she must have thought when God called her to be judge of Israel.

There really are no modern comparisons that fully capture the difficulty of what Deborah was asked to do. The Bible tells us of the hesitations Moses had when God called him, but interestingly, the Bible does not mention any hesitations on Deborah’s part. I am sure she struggled with this calling, but her faith in God is what jumps off the page.

In addition to Deborah’s strong faith in God was a devotion to her people. She was put in a position to make difficult political decisions, such as going to war. She settled disagreements between people, which tends to put the judge in a no-win situation. She also was a prophet, which was not always a popular position to hold.

Can you imagine how difficult leading the people would have been when she knew that most of them disagreed with the position she held because of her gender? Growing cynical and frustrated would have been easy for Deborah, but her love for God and the people kept her faithful to her calling.

The leadership Deborah demonstrated was fueled by her love for God and love for people. She was able to lead Israel out of oppression. Her leadership was strong as evidenced by the song in chapter 5. The people respected and loved Deborah.

When we find ourselves in leadership positions, we should follow the example of Deborah. Our faith in God is the most important aspect to being a godly leader. No amount of leadership conferences or books will give you the strength you need to lead, only God.

Also, if we do not love people, we never will be true godly leaders. There is a temptation to see people as a means to an end as a leader, but that is not what godly leadership is all about. Loving God and loving people are both necessary to be a leader for God.
    
In addition to the leadership example of Deborah found in this passage, there is an element of tension in the passage that should be acknowledged. Reading this passage makes clear that Deborah was given a position of leadership over the nation of Israel. This leadership was not limited. In fact, it was expanded beyond some of the other judges of Israel. Deborah was a minister to the people of Israel.

This is in contrast to some other passages in Scripture that seem to speak against certain roles women may have in ministry. Passages such as this cannot be dismissed from the conversations surrounding this controversial issue. I hope that this passage helps us realize there may not be black-and-white answers.

God clearly called Deborah to lead Israel, and I am very uncomfortable saying God could not call a woman today to serve him as he chooses. No matter what your position on women in ministry may be, I hope you approach the subject with humility and a desire to be faithful to the whole of Scripture.  

Honestly, I have struggled with this issue, and I recognize the tension in Scripture. A few months ago, my 4-year-old little girl came up to me and gave me a big hug after a busy Sunday. She looked up at me and said: “I want to be like you when I grow up. I want to be able to preach like you do and tell people how much God loves them.” The innocent love and faithfulness to God she showed me, filled my heart with joy and my eyes with tears. I do not have all the answers and I was not about to ruin this moment with any words of wisdom. I was just thankful my daughter recognizes the love God has for her and wants to love him back.  
    
I hope we as Christians never let our disagreements and discussions hinder someone from experiencing the love of God. Maybe we should be more passionate about the things that are undeniable in Scripture rather than those that are a little muddied. Let us bravely love God and love people just as Deborah did, so we too can be faithful to our Lord.

One impressive service God’s word provides to believers is assistance in communicating with God during times of deep personal distress. Life before God is not merely the successful management of external life.

The Lord desires a heart-level relationship with his human creation. He created the human heart to feel deeply the impact of life. Yet God does not abandon his people to stormy waters. He ministers to his people and helps them approach him and express their concerns. The present passage of Jeremiah is a good example of God’s work with the suffering heart of a committed one.

The Lord cares (Jeremiah 15:10-11)

The first nine verses of chapter 15 declare the utter hopelessness of Israel’s spiritual situation. The people have turned away so completely from God that he would not even respond to the prayers of two previous intercessors: Moses and Samuel (v. 1). Proclaiming this message has earned Jeremiah more than scorn. In response, the people curse him (v. 10).

Verse 10 compares Jeremiah’s position with that of lenders and borrowers. Financial misfortune drives lenders and borrowers to abuse each other verbally. Jeremiah was not involved in financial dealings, but he was maltreated similarly.

Verse 11 applies God’s promise to rescue Jeremiah (see 1:8). God understood Jeremiah’s situation. He not only would deliver Jeremiah from his tormentors but cause them to seek Jeremiah’s help. On other occasions (Jeremiah 21:1; 37:3; 38:14; 42:1), Jeremiah’s enemies, who had no use for his message, would desire to take advantage of his status before the Lord. They would request Jeremiah to invoke God’s favor and grant their wishes. God’s response never satisfied Jeremiah’s enemies. Nevertheless, their approach with requests was a sign of God’s protection in his life.

Like Jeremiah, believers need to interpret their circumstances in light of their relationship with their Lord. Sometimes God demonstrates the truth of his presence and his care for his followers through life’s opposing circumstances.

The Lord knows (Jeremiah 15:15-18)

God graciously responded to Jeremiah’s interruption and continued with his message to the people (vv. 12-14). Again, Jeremiah interrupted to express his need. Chapter 15 could be facetiously titled, “How to Interrupt God, Express Frustration and Get Away with It.” The point is not to promote disrespect for the Lord but to call attention to God’s willingness to care for his servants.

God’s gentle patience with Jeremiah is impressive. Jeremiah’s knowledgeable approach to his Lord in a time of emotional need also is impressive. Jeremiah needed to express the personal impact of serving God. The Lord listened and carefully responded to his beloved servant.

In this passage, Jeremiah modeled how to express frustration respectfully to the Almighty God. In verse 15, Jeremiah acknowledged God’s understanding. This is followed by a request that the Lord remember, care for him and take vengeance against his persecutors. These requests derive from Jeremiah’s privilege as a faithful practitioner of the covenant.

The word “remember” does not imply God forgot about Jeremiah. Instead, it is used to invoke God to take covenant action at this point in Jeremiah’s life.

Notice also that Jeremiah refers vengeance to the Lord. Jeremiah practiced God’s revealed desire in Deuteronomy 32:35 (“to avenge is mine”) that discipline control anger and the impulse for vengeance. Thus Jeremiah referred his complaint to the Lord.

Verse 16 reminds God that Jeremiah “ate” God’s words, that is, he “ingested” or internally applied God’s words. Jeremiah was a willing practitioner of God’s words. In fact, God’s words were his heart’s delight—the attitude of a true believer toward God’s word.

Verses 16 and 17 describe Jeremiah’s refusal to be associated with those who rebel against God. His words are reminiscent of Psalm 1. Jeremiah was indignant against the enemies of the Lord, just as David was indignant about the blasphemous taunting of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:26).

Jeremiah never wavered in his commitment to God. Yet he was frustrated with the unending suffering associated with his ministry. These were grievous and enduring, not insignificant, sufferings. God listens to his people, even when they vent deep-seated frustrations. He even preserved Jeremiah’s complaint so believers could have an example to follow and hope that God would answer. From the human view, it seemed God abandoned Jeremiah in his troubles. Jeremiah didn’t want to succumb to this thought. He needed the Lord’s help because his sufferings were taking a toll.

The Lord strengthens (Jeremiah 15:19-21)

God’s answer features one word root used four times in verse 19 (repent, restore, turn, turn). Jeremiah was not exempt from practicing repentance. Repentance includes both turning away from evil (and those who practice it) and turning toward God. Both aspects are emphasized in verse 19. Such conduct made Jeremiah worthy to be God’s spokesman.

Verses 20-21 promise God would make Jeremiah a wall to the people. Jeremiah would not waver in his sufferings. God would strengthen Jeremiah to resist everything people brought against him. He would not allow Jeremiah to falter. Again, God underscored his promise to rescue, save and redeem Jeremiah. Jeremiah was to stay focused, and God would handle the rest. In intense situations, God is not put off by his people’s expressions of need. God wants his people to desire him and turn to him. When his people serve him and sacrifice themselves for his kingdom, God takes specific care to strengthen them.

When Zacchaeus heard Jesus was coming, the “vertically challenged” man felt compelled to perform any feat necessary to see the Messiah. Jesus spotted the earnest disciple and immediately showed interest in building a relationship with Zacchaeus through table fellowship (Luke 19:5-6).  

Jesus’ actions, however, proved offensive to some. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus was considered a traitor to his people. For a Jew to help the Roman oppressors take away the money of God’s people proved horrendous in the eyes of the Israelites. Further, most tax collectors also charged the Jewish citizens extra and placed the surplus cash in their own wallets. Thieves and traitors should be the last people invited to dine with the Messiah, but Jesus offered the social outcast a chance for redemption.

Zacchaeus proved so grateful for Jesus’ response that he promised to redistribute the wealth he had stolen. He pledged to return fourfold and give half of his possessions to the poor.  Healing and redemption had spawned more actions of healing and redemption. The former outcast risked bankrupting himself  to have others experience the riches of restored relationships and relief from suffering.  

Generosity with possessions and money should rise from the joy of salvation. When one experiences an authentic encounter with the divine, the entire person is transformed. Money, people and relationships all look different. God empowers believers to see their resources as tools for kingdom work rather than simply blessings for themselves alone. Zacchaeus proved able and willing to release his death grip on money for the sake of the world around him. Modern believers should share his enthusiasm.

Thanks to the work of Christ, we can know love. 1 John 3 explains believers should mimic the love of the Savior who placed the needs of others so high he died for their sake. John asks the ultimate question of generosity: If the Master was willing to lay down his own life for the sake of love, how could the believer see others in need and not provide aid? How can one filled with Christ’s love not show love when the situation demands it?

If one is truly being transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18), one must react to people’s needs in the same manner as did Jesus. The Christian is required to ask how Jesus would treat a hungry child in an impoverished country or what Jesus would do for a family struggling to pay their bills after the breadwinner has been laid off, or how would Jesus help a homeless man freezing on the street?  

We naturally restrain from giving too much of our finances or possessions for fear of the consequences. The beauty of salvation is its freedom from such fear and from attachment to material wealth. We begin to feel what God feels and love what God loves. Our values and priorities align with the Savior’s, or we don’t truly belong to him.

A servant is not greater than the master (John 13:16). If Jesus was not exempt from sacrificing for the sake of others, neither are his followers. Rather than ask what will happen if we give, perhaps we should question what will happen to others if we don’t.

In 2 Corinthians 8, the Apostle Paul described a wonderful display of generosity by the church of Macedonia. Even though the church consisted of individuals living in poverty, the members graciously gave to the cause of the Jerusalem church that also was dealing with financial struggle. The Jerusalem church was overwhelmed with members of the community struggling to survive, and Paul sought aid from other churches in order to bring about unity and relieve the people of Jerusalem from suffering. After all, Christians from all around the globe are united in their work in the kingdom and should provide aid to one another when needed (2 Corinthians 8:13-15).

By sacrificing their money for the sake of others, the Macedonian church was blessed with the opportunity to share in the work of God’s people, even ones far away and whom they may never meet. Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to mimic the smaller church’s attitude and see the needs of the kingdom as more important than their own.  

The world around us screams for restoration. Poverty, hunger and pain can be found both in our backyards and around the world. Christians are called to use their resources to meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs that surround them. The manner in which a local church uses its resources may differ based on the leading of God and the limitations of the congregation. However, churches always must exercise generosity with the financial and material blessings God has allowed. Funding missions, giving food to the hungry, housing the homeless and many other ministries all serve as part of continuing the ministry of  Jesus who forfeited the riches of his heavenly throne in order to enrich others (2 Corinthians 8:9).  

May we share in the blessings of mimicking Christ’s generosity. May our encounter with divine love and redemption compel us to share love and redemption with others. May we see our resources as opportunities to advance the kingdom. May we see the needs of people in the same manner as Jesus.  

Questions for discussion

•    How do you express the joy of your salvation? Does it involve financial sacrifice? Why? Why not?

•    How can you and your church give generously to meet needs around you and around the world?

•    What obstacles prevent you from giving as did Jesus?

This week’s lesson explores the rich content of Jeremiah’s famous temple sermon. His message stressed the importance of having a right and truthful relationship with God. Such a relationship is based on true commitment at the heart level, which, in turn, is reflected in justness in one’s activities.

Hear the Lord’s word (Jeremiah 7:1-2)

Israel’s place of worship was the obvious place to proclaim and receive God’s message. Surely those who came to worship truly desired communication from the Lord. Jeremiah’s message began with the command “Hear the word of the Lord” (v. 2). Genuine believers, whether in Jeremiah’s day or ours, welcome God’s word.

In Hebrew, hearing means more than mere listening. Hearing includes obeying (or doing; see James 1:22). Jeremiah had a message that God wanted worshippers to obey. No matter what the Lord’s message may be, believers come to worship hoping to hear a word from their Lord. Genuine worshippers desire to hear and obey.

Believers should take regular inventory of their purposes and expectations in worship. The elements of worship easily are externalized by those who go “through the motions” without engaging the mind and heart.

True worship has two-way communication at its heart. Genuine followers of Christ believe the Lord responds to authentic expressions of worship. They crave communication from the Lord, knowing he speaks to their lives.

Correct your behavior (Jeremiah 7:3-8)

The core challenge of the message comes in verse 3. God commanded his people to reform their ways. “Reform” is a repentance word that emphasizes the external action God desires to accompany internal repentance. The Old Testament teaches external behavior points to the true condition of the heart. Therefore, God expects to see works of repentance.

James explained the connection of faith and deeds in James 2:14-18, (especially v. 17). Jeremiah and James express similar concepts: one’s external actions are direct reflections of the character and commitments of the heart.

A unique feature of Jeremiah’s temple sermon is found in verse 4. Here the prophet mimics the repeated response of his people to the Lord’s call to reform their ways. By answering, “the temple of the Lord,” the people stated they believed God never would send any kind of judgment that would harm his temple. Therefore, the people were safe (see v. 10). Therefore, the people must be right with God. Therefore, Jeremiah must have God’s message wrong. These are deceptive words, said Jeremiah, because God eventually would take the drastic step of destroying the temple to get people to think differently about their lives.

In verses 5-6, Jeremiah listed five actions that specified the type of reform God desired: change ways, act justly, don’t oppress others, don’t shed innocent blood and don’t worship idols. Verse 7 repeats the conditional covenant promise indicating these five reforms are required to satisfy the covenant.

Occupation of the Promised Land was contingent upon obeying the Lord’s commands (Deuteronomy 4:40; 30:17-18). The nation of Israel was very close to losing their Promised Land. Jeremiah pointedly exhorted his people to return to the Lord and exhibit evidence of a righteous walk with God.

Likewise, believers today should examine their lives and strive to exhibit deeds consistent with faith in Christ.

Get real (Jeremiah 7:9-11)

Jesus taught in John 16:8 that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of its guilty status in sin. This section of Jeremiah expresses a similar observation when it states the Lord is “watching” (v. 11). The Lord told Jeremiah in his call vision (1:12) he was watching his people.

Look at what Jeremiah’s people thought they were getting away with—murder. Yet they thought they were safe (v. 10) before the Lord. Their behavior was miles off the mark, yet they thought they had a right standing before God because they had his temple in their midst.

God knows the conduct of people. He has intimate knowledge of each person’s heart. He knows their purposes, philosophies and commitments. He understands how a person’s actions reveal the truth of the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7 states: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Speaking through Jeremiah, the Lord wanted his people to look at their outward appearances or actions and understand what was revealed about their hearts. Lifestyle inspection must be a regular part of the disciple’s regimen.

Learn from past failures (Jeremiah 7:12-15)

Now the Lord directly refutes the response of his people in verse 4. Do they really think they are safe from his judgment? They should remember what happened to the shrine at Shiloh, says Jeremiah.

The story is found in 1 Samuel 4. By that time, the tabernacle tent was in tatters. The sons of the priest Eli thought that they could guarantee an Israelite victory over the Philistines by carrying the Ark of Covenant into battle. The Israelites were defeated, the sons of Eli were killed, the Ark was captured and Shiloh ceased being the center of Israelite worship. Thus, Jeremiah pointed to Shiloh’s dark lesson: God will not be manipulated. He commands his people to maintain right relationships with him. There are countless benefits for those who serve God, but he will not allow complacency and sin to occupy the lives of his people. God desires a wholesome, heart-level relationship with his people.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to travel across the Atlantic to Africa. I went with an organization called Makeway Partners to the country of Sudan. We were going to work with children at New Life Ministries in Nyamlel, Sudan.

There were around 400 orphaned children at the time, and they were more a blessing to me than I was to them. One individual stood out at new Life Ministries—its founder and leader, James Lual Atak. Meeting James was a blessing. His love for the Lord and his dedication to God’s calling on his life was infectious. God is using him to make a difference in a land most of the world has written off and forgotten about.

James would not be in the position he is today if he had not have been obedient to God’s call on his life. James grew up in a world we cannot understand. Northern and southern Sudan have been at war for the better part of half a century. The northern aggressors have been invading the south many years.

When James was boy in his early teens, he was forced to fight for his homeland of southern Sudan. Eventually, the government realized having these boys fight was not right, and thousands of boys were sent to refugee camps. These boys became known as the lost boys of Sudan.

James found himself in Kenya, where he was taken in by a missionary. He worked with the missionary until the time came that most would consider akin to winning the lottery: James was given a plane ticket to the United States. He was going to have the opportunity for a new life and a new start in a land far from the horrors of his own country, but God had a different call on James’ life, and James listened and obeyed.  Rather than come to the United States, James took what little money he had and went back to his home town of Nyamlel, Sudan, in order to bring hope to the hopeless.

James went to the local church when he returned, and he told people he was going to build an orphanage. The people laughed at him.

The next day while James was working to clear the 40 acres of land the government had given him for the orphanage, a young man named Archangelo joined James in clearing away the brush. He caught James’ vision and still works at New Life Ministries. James began with a handful of children, and today, there are more than 500 orphans. They receive an education and learn about the hope found only in Christ. James was willing to follow God’s calling, and now he is leading the cause of hope in Nyamlel, Sudan.

God’s chosen individual to lead his people into the Promised Land was Joshua. Joshua must have been a very special and faithful follower of God, because picking up where Moses left off could not have been easy. Joshua committed himself to God’s leadership, and he was able to lead the Israelites on one of the most impressive military conquests the world has ever seen. The odds were stacked against the Israelites, but because of Joshua’s reliance on God and his leadership of the people, the Israelites overcame all the odds.

In Joshua 24, we find the mighty leader addressing the people for what appears to be the final time. This must have been an amazing scene—the people finally were ready to enjoy the promise of God’s land and peace. Families were planning their future together as they raised a family on their new land.

Then their beloved leader stepped forward to give one last speech. The people hung on every word he had to say. He began not by reminding the people of their great military victory, but rather of the God who had been faithful to them since the time of Abraham. He then gave the powerful imperative: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua had lived out this statement from the beginning, and the people had seen his faithfulness. They responded to him with respect and loyalty and then declared their faithfulness to God. Joshua had a great impact on the Israelite people because of his devotion to God. If he would not have been such a devoted follower, he would not have been a great leader.

James Lual Atak has made a difference against all the odds. He had not done this due to his charisma or title, he was able to make a difference because he was a devoted follower of Christ.

I do not know if God has plans for you as dramatic as James’ and Joshua’s, but I do know God wants you to impact this world for him. There will be people you will have an impact on: your family, friends, co-workers and others. If you want to be an influence on them like Joshua was on the Israelites, you must be a fierce follower of Christ.

In 1 Timothy 6, the Apostle Paul issued a word of encouragement and a warning for the young minister Timothy. Some false teachers had begun to teach a gospel of greed. As we explored last week, however, Christ’s teachings reject allegiance to materialistic prizes. Instead, one should pursue the qualities of and conform to the image of Christ.

Paul wasted little time in dismissing the money-grubbing prophets and explained godliness with contentment is a great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). After all, everyone is born with absolutely nothing—no possessions, no clothes, no cars, no cell phones, no houses and no bank accounts. When we die, we leave with nothing. No amount of earthly wealth will be transferred with us to the afterlife.  In the big picture, “stuff” doesn’t remain with us long.  

In a world filled with constant media and propaganda, contentment easily can get lost the noise. Advertisements explain to us how badly we need the latest product, or better yet, how much we deserve it. Toys, phones, clothes and technology from only a few months ago no longer satisfy as the newest version of our previous goods supposedly makes our lives “simpler” or “better.”  

Commercials make us instantly “need” things. Often, I can sit down to watch a football game without a concern in the world. By halftime, however, I have witnessed the glories of a dozen new products. I wonder how I ever survived my entire life without a new phone which can do my taxes or a vacuum cleaner that possibly could fly me to the moon, or at least that’s the implication.

In a world which preaches consumption as the fuel for life, we have transformed malls into temples and sale items into gods. When happiness depends on the acquirement of stuff, our hearts will remain eternally empty. There always are new things to own. The pursuit never ends.

Greed is a monster whose hunger never will be satisfied. Paul urged Timothy to only pursue basic physical essentials and nothing more. The apostle was familiar with how greed can destroy souls: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).  

How many life-altering stories of credit card debt have we witnessed in the past several years? Many in our society live under bondage to endless payments just for the sake of getting the newest, greatest stuff. Interest rates continue to consume dreams and hopes. One wonders why such products proved so irresistible in the first place.  

Greed comes from many sources. We want things in order to impress people, control others, gain security, experience pleasure and create a sense of self worth. Arthur G. Gish, in his book Beyond the Rate Race,  observes we often buy things we don’t want with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.

This easily blinds people to the glorious life offered by the Creator: “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11-12).   

When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he expressed appreciation for a generous donation from his brothers and sisters in Christ. The apostle, however, emphasized how his state of existence did not depend upon such gifts. After all the trials and hard times Paul endured during his missionary journeys, the pastor had experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).

When one’s entire world revolves around Christ, everything else appears minute. As long as the believer has the basic necessities, he or she can find reason to celebrate life. One can find purpose, hope and joy even in the midst of poverty if Christ serves as the epicenter of life and the foundation of existence. In God’s kingdom, love, mercy, peace, forgiveness and justice prove exponentially more satisfying than the latest merchandise fad or an abundance of modern comforts.  

The church of Philippi’s gift proved valuable. By providing Paul with financial support, they removed many obstacles in order for the apostle to more efficiently share the gospel. In the big picture, however, even if Paul never received the aid, Christ still would reign and the kingdom still would prevail. The power of the gospel is self sufficient.  

May we not be overwhelmed by the oppressive power of greed. May we find contentment with what God has provided rather than exhaust ourselves in a race for fleeting fads and temporary goods. May we pursue godliness and thrive in a life filled with the goodness and blessings which derive from the hand of God.  

Questions for discussion
•    What do you really need?  What things prove more burdensome than useful?
•    Do you feel content with what you have? Why or why not?

Jeremiah 3:1-4:4 emphasizes the need for God’s people to practice heart-level commitment in their relationships with the Lord. God is not satisfied by external religious behaviors, even those he instituted. God established external religious forms to instruct committed followers. The insights were meant for internal application. This lesson focuses on the heart and the need for repentance in the lives of those who desire a right relationship with the Lord.

Admit guilt (Jeremiah 3:12-13)

In this passage, “Israel” refers to the former northern Israelite kingdom which was destroyed by Sargon II of Assyria in 722 B.C. The surviving northern Israelites were transplanted to other regions within Assyria.

A century later, Jeremiah proclaimed (v. 11) Israel was more righteous than Judah (the surviving southern kingdom). Israel deserved its punishment because she deserted her covenant with the Lord. Nevertheless, because God continued his covenant relationship with Judah beyond the limits he imposed on Israel, a fair treatment modification to Israel’s sentence was due. Therefore, even at this late date, God was willing to receive any northern Israelite who desired to return to the covenant.

One condition accompanied God’s invitation to return to the covenant: acknowledgement of guilt in breaking the covenant. No offerings, sacrifices or penance was required. Israel’s acknowledgement must admit of rebellion against the Lord, turning to other gods and disobedience to the Lord (v. 13).

Truthful confession is the first step in establishing a right relationship with God. This anticipates the teaching of Jesus’ first Beatitude (Matthew 5:3): blessed are the poor in spirit. God is not pleased by rote fulfillment of external religious rites (1 Samuel 15:22). The covenant must be practiced at the heart level—the place of willful determination must be invested in seeking and serving the Lord.

Accept blessings (Jeremiah 3:14-17)

The word “return” in verse 14 is the dominant concept in chapter 3 (occurring seven times) and one of Jeremiah’s frequent topics. Jeremiah repeatedly called his people to return to the covenant. The New Testament uses the word “repent” to call people to turn to God. This concept is consistent with the Old Testament’s idea of returning to the covenant. To return to the covenant is to return to God. Thus, Jeremiah called people to repent and turn to God.

Verse 14 describes the Lord as the “husband” of the people. The relationship between God and his people has similarities to marriage: an intimate, exclusive, mutually-supportive relationship. The breaking of one’s relationship with God also is similar to unfaithfulness in marriage. Jeremiah declared the people had broken their relationship with God.

Verse 14 indicates the returning to the Lord will be allowed on an individual basis. Though the northern people were exiled collectively, people will return to the Lord individually, underscoring Jeremiah’s point in verse 15 that returning is a matter of the heart.

The Lord promised to provide religious leaders (shepherds) possessing knowledge and understanding (v. 15). These leaders will personally have “returned” to a heart-based relationship with the Lord. They will know how to lead their people to heart-level covenant commitments.

The Ark of Covenant in verse 16 was suggested by the topics of “return” and “covenant.” Jeremiah spoke strongly against the veneration of religious objects. In his temple sermon, Jeremiah warned against trusting in religious objects (Jeremiah 7:4). Many reasoned God would not allow the temple to fall, and, thus, their lives were safe. Actually, the people were no more safe than the northern Israelites had been.

Those practicing heart religion (i.e., lifestyle repentance [Luke 9:23] and seeking God with all one’s heart [Jeremiah 29:7]) do not need external religious relics to have fulfilling relationships with the Lord. Verse 17 applies the significance of the ark, symbolizing God’s place of rule, to the city of Jerusalem. If the ark’s significance can be transferred to a city, it also can be transferred to the heart. The people had not done this, therefore, evil ruled the their hearts. Once one’s heart is right with God, a relationship with him becomes fulfilling and life becomes satisfying.

Avoid judgment (Jeremiah 4:1-4)

The appeal to return is repeated in verse 1. The word “if” emphasizes the condition for reconciliation with God. Dedication of the heart is required, which should be reflected in one’s external conduct.

Verses 1 and 2 paint the two parts of repentance. One part is to turn away from “idols.” An idol is anything that receives the heart’s dedication in the place of the Lord. Ultimately, all idols reduce to the human self, which rules one’s life and permits behavior detrimental to a relationship with the Lord.

The other part of repentance is truthful turning to the Lord. This truthfulness is exemplified in the introductory oath “as surely as the Lord lives.” The appeal to the living Lord for validation is the essence of real commitment: we depend on the living One to provide what we cannot provide for ourselves. See Romans 10:9-10 which speaks of the commitment of the heart to God followed by a verbal declaration of the heart’s commitment.

The climax of the call to return comes in verses 3-4 with the command, break up the unplowed ground, and its parallel thought, circumcise your hearts. Breaking unplowed ground refers to a previously unpursued lifestyle. Circumcision refers to dedication to the Lord. Circumcision of the heart places dedication at the level of life that impresses God, making commitment internal and not merely an external rite.

I am blessed with three beautiful little girls. They are a source of joy, happiness and inspiration to me … who am I kidding, I am in over my head.

Many people come up with very spiritual and theologically demanding questions that they want to ask God when they get to heaven; I just want to know why God thought that I should be blessed with raising three girls. I know he must be laughing.

In all honesty, I thank God every day for my precious girls, but I also realize I am in trouble. Even though my oldest is only 8, I already am thinking about teenage years, dating, cars, college and marriage. And then I realize I have to deal with all of those things three different times. Thankfully, many of our adoring church members remind me of how beautiful my daughters are and with all sensitivity and wisdom tell me to “have fun with the dating scene.”

As my wife and I raise our girls, we want them to be strong and courageous women who rely on the Lord to lead them through life. I want them to have every opportunity to experience the life God has given them, and I will do all I can to ensure all obstacles are removed from their journey.

The one obstacle I will stand up against more than any other is the obstacle of unfairness and discrimination. I am thankful we live in a country founded on freedom and aspiring to seek freedom for all, even though there still are strides to be made. Unfairness and discrimination still are a very real part of our world today, and we must be willing to stand up against these obstacles.

In Numbers 27, we are introduced to five sisters; Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. They were the daughters of Zelophehad who recently had died. The customs and traditions of the day were very male dominated, and women had very few rights and these women faced a crisis. Their father’s passing and the fact they were not married meant they would lose all their inheritance.

This would not have been a problem had just a single one of them been born male, but the cultural norms dictated these five sisters be cast aside and pushed out of the way so another worthy individual, someone who happened to be born male, could assume their inheritance. Most people just accepted these cultural norms and probably did not even think about the unfairness, but Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah were willing to stand up against this cultural unfairness.

Standing up against injustice never is easy and should not be done lightly. These sisters were prepared and ready when they went to Moses. The sisters showed an amazing amount of faith. They were fighting for land that had not been won. The people were not in the Promised Land yet; in fact, they still were wandering in the desert. These women demonstrated their faith in God’s promises and provision over their lives.

I believe their faith gave them the strength to stand up for what was right. The sisters also showed an amazing amount of courage. Approaching a leader such as Moses could not have been an easy task, especially when there were probably friends telling them just to drop it and accept their situation.

Finally, Zelophehad’s daughters plainly presented the facts of their case and addressed the unfairness head on. Verse four reads, “Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.” That is not easy to argue against.
    
Today, there still are many cases of unfairness and injustice throughout our world and country. Some are the result of cultural norms and some are blatant acts of prejudice. We need to be asking God to open our eyes to the unfairness around us.

Do we have faith in a God of justice like the sisters did? If we serve a God who confronts injustice and has proclaimed we all are made in his image, then we should seek justice and see people as God created them—equal.  
    
We also need to have the courage to stand up for those who are being treated unfairly. The actions of Zelophehad’s daughters were courageous and necessary, but why were others not standing up against this injustice? Proclaiming unfairness and calling for justice should not be the sole responsibility of those who are receiving the treatment. We should be sensitive to unfairness and stand up alongside those or for those who are vulnerable.

I encourage all of us to be aware of the unfairness around us. Even though we live in a wonderful country that has broken down many walls, there still is unfairness around us. The number of people in poverty in the United States continues to rise and there are still discrimination issues based on sex, race and social status. As long as humans are living together, there will be issues of unfairness. We all have been guilty of participating in or turning a blind eye toward unfairness, but we can start to make a difference.

I hope my girls will be as strong and courageous as Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. These sisters’ example is one all can follow.

Every time I hear the word “treasure,” I automatically think of pirates. I imagine a chest filled with gold, rubies, and the occasional cursed artifact. According to movie folklore, buried treasure holds so much value people are willing to lie, cheat, steal, kill and sail over vast oceans into unknown territories in order to obtain it.  

Treasure, in its most basic sense, is something which possesses tremendous value. Treasure’s ability to reshape and redirect lives drives people to do extraordinary things. Treasure provides security. Treasure provides hope. Everyone wants treasure in some shape or form.

In Matthew 6, Jesus makes a profound statement about treasure. The Savior explains how material items have no true value. Earthly treasure too easily can be corrupted or lost. Moth food isn’t valuable. Stolen goods prove worthless. Jesus explains such temporary treasures should not serve as the main source of hope, direction and security. Christ points toward a higher prize—heavenly treasure.  

So what are the treasures of heaven? They are the lifegiving characteristics of the Almighty. The treasures which cannot be destroyed are the everlasting virtues offered to the children of God— peace, love, mercy, justice, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The treasures of heaven are the nature of the Creator who seeks to promote and enhance life. Heaven is living in the presence of God; the treasure is the Redeemer’s life-giving power.

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). If we place the majority of our time on acquiring things, building up our savings account and improving a 401k, our heart shall prove as vulnerable and unstable as the corrodible earthly possessions we hold so dear.

On the other hand, should we invest in eternal values of the God’s kingdom, nothing can shake us. If all is turned to dust and everything we own is stripped away, the virtues of the kingdom and the relationships we build shall remain.

Loving unlovable people, seeking restoration in broken relationships, showing mercy and forgiveness to individuals who have wronged us, seeking justice for the oppressed and the abused, and placing others above ourselves empowers the believer and rescues the church from the restrictions placed upon us by temporary worldly items.

Christ warned his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). When someone commits his or her life to Christ, they are considered a slave to God. Slaves have no possessions. A slave has no rights. Everything belongs to the Master.  

If a person serves money, one cannot truly be devoted to God, for the Creator demands complete surrender and obedience. In order to obtain the treasures of the earth, one often must commit to the value systems of materialistic gain.

As Richard J. Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline explains, a world driven by materialism defines things much differently than Christ. “Covetousness we call ambition. Hoarding we call prudence. Greed we call industry.” If we are to align our vision with the worldview of the Messiah, we must abandon the values of materialism.

The Teacher follows his call for allegiance with another challenging command: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:19-34).

Worrying proves pointless and opposes the Provider’s ability to care for the kingdom’s children. No time can be added to one’s life through worry; internal anxiety produces no external rewards. A quick survey of nature demonstrates God’s guiding hand proves active in all places. The Creator doesn’t neglect to sustain life for the birds and the grass, so why would God, who breathed life directly into humanity, forget to take care of the creatures made in the divine image?  

If one enslaves themselves to money, however, worry proves natural. After all, money does little work for its slave. The individual, however, must toil, labor, plan and protect money at all times. As much as people love money, it shows little compassion in return. If security and provision rest completely on the individual’s shoulders and his ability to acquire wealth, the weight will eventually crush.  

When we worry, we declare to God we do not trust the Caretaker to provide for our needs. Instead, we believe our own strength and abilities shall prove more effective than the hand of the Provider. With just a short amount of reflection, however, we know such resistance proves foolish. The hands where we place our financial future and our security prove large enough to hold the entire universe. Do not insult God with self-induced worry. The Lord loves you more than you can conceive. You will not be forgotten.

May you see your possessions in the same way as God. May you find peace and relief like the birds in the air and the grass in the field. May you grow rich in the treasures which matter and never be consumed by the things which do not.  

Questions for discussion

•    If your favorite material possession were suddenly taken away, could you live without it? Why or why not?

•    What does a worry-free lifestyle look like? How does a person who trusts in God’s provision act?

•    How do you personally invest into treasures of heaven?

Jeremiah’s ministry coincided with the last years of Israel’s kingdom. Prior to the traumatic destruction of Israel, God sent Jeremiah to warn his people. The demise of Israel would be God’s judgment on his unfaithful people. Such a harsh message required a specially cultivated preacher. Therefore, God designed Jeremiah’s life and sent him to deliver a message of pending judgment.

God’s choice of Jeremiah for such a momentous task seems surprising. Jeremiah presents the image of an anti-hero in his outspoken expressions of feelings. Jeremiah felt inadequate for his prophetic task. He loved his people, but his harsh message stirred their anger and rejection. Jeremiah pleaded with his people to repent, yet witnessed their rejection of his message. Somehow, Jeremiah seemed out of step with the people. Actually, the people were out of step with God, not recognizing his entreaty to return to faithfulness.

God delivered Jeremiah’s call to service in a vision. Jeremiah’s call provides an example to believers to follow God’s calling despite feelings of inadequacy. Serious eternal consequences still attend life choices in this world and God needs faithful servants to communicate his sometimes-unwelcome message.

Recognize your commission (Jeremiah 1:4-6)

Verse 4 provides a phrase indicating God initiated the attending message. He entrusted Jeremiah with the message. He is confident in his work to prepare Jeremiah to deliver his message. In this case, the message was Jeremiah’s call.

Verse 5 contains two points: Jeremiah will be a prophet to the nations, and his life was specifically designed for this task. Jeremiah’s satisfaction in life will come through serving as God’s prophet.

Verse 5 shows how God works in believers’ lives. God did not step outside his usual creative pattern to create a special servant. God designed Jeremiah’s life with a specific life service in mind just as he designs every believer’s life with their specific life services in mind. The Lord does not call all believers to be prophets, but he calls all believers to significant service and, as with Jeremiah, God designs believers’ lives to coordinate with their calling.

Verse 6 records Jeremiah’s reluctance to serve in the daunting mission God had for him. Moses showed similar reluctance (Exodus 3:11-4:17). God’s presence in Jeremiah’s ministry, not Jeremiah’s personal attributes, would produce the results God desired. It is helpful to see in Jeremiah the same less-than-noble qualities we see in ourselves, such as reluctance and feelings of inadequacy. God was willing to work with Jeremiah and is willing to work with us.

Receive the Lord’s power (Jeremiah 1:7-10)

Jeremiah expressed reluctance by objecting on grounds of youthfulness. Verse 7 provides the Lord’s response, which sounds, for some, like a harsh demand for obedience. The truth is that while God has the authority to command, he also ministers to the one he calls. God had similar discussions with Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon and Samuel. God is willing to discuss his call to inspire obedience and faithfulness. Lives are at stake. Thus, God desires to work through fully committed servants.

Jeremiah received two important promises in verse 8, showing how God works with his servants. God authoritatively commands us, but he also empowers us to fulfill his will. Thus, God promised his presence with Jeremiah. To know God’s personal presence is the pursuit of every believer. This promise alone was more than sufficient compensation for the hazards of a young man (or a person of any age) who seeks to obey the Lord. God’s second promise, to rescue Jeremiah, was repeatedly fulfilled.

Having answered Jeremiah’s reticence, God empowered Jeremiah to speak his words (vv. 9-10). Jeremiah was called, empowered and now commissioned to go.

Realize the Lord’s reassurance (Jeremiah 1:11-14)

Two visions accompanied Jeremiah’s prophetic call. The first underscored the importance of God’s message. The Hebrew words “almond” and “watching” are similar. The almond tree signified God was watching both Israel and Jeremiah, to see his word fulfilled (v. 12). For Jeremiah, the warning underscored the importance of communicating God’s message to his people.

The second vision provided the core of the message Jeremiah would preach throughout his career. The boiling cauldron in verse 13 signified God’s wrath of judgment. The repeated word “north” (verses 13, 14 and 15) signified the direction from which the invasion would come.

Actually, Babylon would invade Israel, destroying its government, and carrying away its people. Babylon, however, was 500 miles east of Jerusalem. Babylon could not invade from the east because of the Arabian Desert. Instead, they would approach from the north.

Rely on the Lord’s resources (Jeremiah 1:17-19)

The Lord now exhorted Jeremiah to action. Verse 17 delivers four commands. Jeremiah was to “get ready,” “stand up,” “say what (God) commands” and “do not be terrified.” These commands provide incremental steps to fulfill God’s will. Believers need incremental steps for tense situations just as soldiers need combat drills, pilots need troubleshooting checklists and surgeons need procedure steps.

Verse 18 states God has strengthened Jeremiah. He will be strong like a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall. He may have been reluctant and reticent, but God will make him tough and unmoving. Verse 19 repeats God’s promises from verse 8. Opposition to his message will come, but God will be with Jeremiah and rescue him.

Believers can profit from studying Jeremiah’s call. Every believer has a call to service just as vital in God’s kingdom as Jeremiah’s call. God also has similar reassurances and promises for the believer. Like Jeremiah, the believer must respond to God’s call with action.

Courage is an attribute highly regarded by all, but elusive to many. In my mind, I am courageous and willing to do whatever is necessary for what I believe; however, in actuality, I fall short of the courage I desire.

There are different kinds of courage: Courage in the face of physical harm, courage to take responsibility and courage to take a stand for what you believe.

My granddaddy served in the Navy during WWII in the Pacific. He fought in the battle of Tarawa, which was one of the most difficult battles in the Pacific. The boat he was piloting was crippled and his shoulder was wounded severely, yet he was courageous enough to stay with the men who were wounded until he could swim to a pier and get help. He received a Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions. He is courageous.
    
My dad has owned a feed store and propane business in West Texas for many years. The ups and downs of the unpredictable weather and economy in West Texas have made for many frustrations; but my dad was courageous enough to persevere and take care of our family no matter how difficult the circumstances became. He never compromised his principles or his love for God and his family. He is courageous.
    
Stephen, the first martyr, the Apostle Paul, Dietrich Bonheoffer and Mother Teresa are just some of the many people who have been willing to stand up for their faith and live out their faith despite the dangers and difficulties surrounding them. Their courage to stand up for what they believed in is an encouragement to us all. They were courageous.

Another person of courage is found in the pages of the Old Testament. Caleb was one of the 12 spies sent out by Moses to scout the land God had promised the people of Israel. The spies witnessed the beauty and savagery of the land. They brought back some of the fruit of the land as proof the land was fertile and plentiful.

However, 10 of them brought back a message of fear and doubt. The people in the land were powerful and strong, their cities were fortified and very large. The 10 spies who recommended not going into the land probably were making the most rational choice, but the choice was void of faith.

Caleb courageously spoke against the fear and doubt of the other 10 spies and told the people they could conquer this land. I do not think Caleb necessarily was braver than the others or that he was looking for a fight. Caleb’s courage was rooted in what God had promised. God told Moses he would give this land to the Israelites, and Caleb believed God. Caleb was courageous enough to stand up for what he knew to be true in the face of opposition and even threats.

Christians need to be courageous. Each of the people mentioned above showed their courage through their actions. We show courage when we stand up and choose to live the life of Christ.

Many times, we will feel like Caleb. We are the minority, and the majority may seem to make some rational points. Our courage is not rooted in the ways of the world or based on self-preservation; rather our courage is based on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our strength comes from following the one who has overcome death.
    
We need to avoid the temptation of thinking that being courageous simply is telling the world how bad and sinful it is. Honestly, this does not take much courage. We need to display the courage of Christ who came into the world not to condemn the world but to show the world how much God loves his people. Jesus was courageous enough to love the world until the world killed him. That is true courage.

Caleb knew God had promised to be with the people as they entered the land. If God already had promised to be with them, then the giants in the land were not a surprise to God. Caleb was willing to live out his response to God’s truth by following God into the Promised Land.

God has called us to live our lives as Christ lived his. If God has called us too this, then the difficulties and obstacles we face in life are not a surprise to God. He will be with us as we face the giants of our lives.

Will you be courageous as you live each day for Christ? Will you courageously proclaim the good news of Jesus’ love and redemption for the world even when complaining about the sinfulness of the world is much easier? Will you courageously stand up for the least of these even when that means getting out of your comfort zone? Will you courageously be a light in your community, workplace and family even when simply blending into the darkness is encouraged?

Courage is not just a characteristic of the brave and strong. Courage comes from knowing who you serve and who has given you new life: Jesus Christ.