Do you like Donald Trump’s hair?

The Fourth Commandment

Obedient "D'oh!" Homer Simpson's catchphrase that helped make the TV series famous tells the entire story of parents who are a bunch of bumbling idiots trying to raise a family. To add to the incompetence of authority on the show, Pastor Timothy Lovejoy is the inept pastor who calls the Bible a 2000-page sleeping pill. And Mayor Quimby is a slick politician who takes bribes and is rarely in town. Surrounded by such authorities in his life, no wonder Bart behaves badly! We might think the same thing. I mean, parents can seem a bit out of touch with reality sometimes and goofy to the point of embarrassment. The church is far from perfect, could grow more if it would get its act together and sometimes you wonder why you even come. And either it's hard for you to take Donald Trump's hair seriously or if you do, you wonder if the rest of the world will take his hair and him and the United States seriously.  Jesus, however, is not surprised how incompetent God's authorities on earth can be. Jesus knows what it takes to obey them. And in all of this Jesus forgives and equips you with his grace to honor, respect, and obey the authorities that God has placed over you on this earth: parents, church, and government. The Bible shares some interaction in Jesus' pre-teen years between him and his parents (Luke 2:41-52). It involves the church and government, as well. These authorities are far from perfect. Joseph and Mary fumble around trying to figure things out. The church and the government in Jerusalem will someday condemn Jesus and crucify him.  Yet Jesus obeys them perfectly. Although his parents don't understand, he understands. Although the church and government will dishonor and kill him, he honors and obeys them. Even to death.  By his obedience, Jesus blesses these authorities, then and today. If you're a parent, for example, your success depends less on your performance (which isn't perfect) and more on this blessing of Jesus on your work.  For all of us who are children of parents—young or old, or church members, or citizens of government, Jesus' obedience also blesses us. His perfect obedience killed him, but gave us life when he died on the cross as the payment for our sins of disrespect and disobedience. His perfect obedience also substitutes for our imperfect obedience, and credits us with holiness, by God's grace, through faith. As much as Jesus obeyed the authority of his heavenly Father, he obeyed the authority of these earthly representatives of God—imperfect as they were. So will we. There's a revealing Bible verse at the end of this story. "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). Jesus grew. And if Jesus grew, you can grow, too.  Grow in your obedience to God's representatives. parents, church, and government. Jesus was obedient to them to bless them and to bless you. PRAYER: Dear God, I don't always get excited about your imperfect representatives, like government. Help me to still honor them, and find in them your blessing and work. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: The Fourth Commandment states, "Honor your father and your mother." Martin Luther wrote this explanation, "We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them." Meditate on Jesus' obedience to imperfect parents, church and government. Where or when do you have a hard time obeying government, for example, state or federal laws? What did Jesus do that will help you grow in this area? Daron Lindemann Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

Trust the catcher.

With empty hands ready for his grasp.

Catcher Circus performers will tell you that there is a very special relationship between the trapeze artists.  One of them releases from their trapeze, leaving it behind. They twist and turn up into the air and at the peak of their arc, when they aren't launching up into the sky any longer, they must stop, and remain as still as possible (that one is called "the flier"). Their partner is swinging on a trapeze from their knees. At just the right moment they swoop in like an eagle and grab the flier with precision timing and strength (that one is called "the catcher").  It takes years to train for this, with one of the most important rules being that the flier must never try to catch the catcher, but must wait in absolute trust. Even in that split second when they think they're plummeting to their death. God asked Abraham to release, to leave things behind. "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). He'd have nothing to hold onto any more. But what he had been holding onto wasn't enough. Not for God's big plans and promises. God has big plans and promises for you, too.  Often times, however, our heads, hands and hearts are already full of stuff. Stuff we think is important. But it's just not as important as God's blessings.  The biggest of all blessings God had lined up for Abraham was a miracle son. Even in his old age, with a wife who couldn't bear children, Abraham would have a son.  Everything else came true for him through the gift of his son. Descendants as numerous as the stars. A great name and nation. Everyone on earth being blessed through a special descendant many generations later. Jesus was that special descendant. Another miracle Son, born to a virgin. Through him, everything else comes true for you.  So let go. Fly into the air and freeze. You won't fall. He'll catch you. And love you. And bless you bigger than you can imagine. PRAYER: Dear catching God, I haven't always trusted you but you've caught me anyway. By your promises, teach me to let go, launch from my comfort zone, and trust your timing and skill. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Meditate on Genesis 12:1-3. God starts (v. 1) by telling Abram what he'd be leaving behind. Not a savvy way to make a sale. But the contrast comes next (vv. 2,3). God's way is so much better! Can you identify a blessing of God you've been praying for, and consider the possibility that God is waiting for you to let something go before he gives it to you? Pray to him about that. Daron Lindemann Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

If God knows everything, why should I pray?

There is relationship in prayer.

Pray Why is it so important to pray if God already knows all of the information, and the solution, and he knows it better than we do?  Jesus gives us the answer in the Lord's Prayer that he taught his disciples. It focuses not so much on the mechanics of prayer or the answers to prayer but the relationship of prayer.  Jesus' first word when teaching his disciples to pray was "Father" (Luke 11:2).  The relationship in prayer is as important—or more important—than the results of prayer.  Two friends have a relationship that allows one of them to badger the other one for help, even after he says, "Don't bother me." That's like prayer (Luke 11:5-8). Good fathers always take care of their children, based on a relationship that the man does not have with kids other than his own. That's like prayer (Luke 11:11-13).  My wife and I might share information with each other that isn't critical, but it is delivered within a special relationship that bonds us together. She could share about her day with the neighbor's dog or I could talk about my plans with the birds in our backyard. It's just delivering information, but it is not the same without the relationship. There is more than information exchanged. There is intimacy. Closeness. Understanding. Love. That's like prayer.  Additionally, that non-essential information (like replaying to each other what happened during our day), when stated out loud, helps a person emotionally and mentally process it. We hear ourselves when we are talking and can listen to what we are saying and evaluate it. That's also like prayer. When we pray, we aren't telling God anything new, but the activity of prayer helps us listen to ourselves, helps us consider what God is thinking about what we're saying, and we end up processing our prayer request with new understanding and faith. All before there is any answer on God's part. Or, quite possibly, this new understanding and faith is God's answer. PRAYER: Thank you, heavenly Father, for the privilege of prayer. I want to pray better, more often, and during prayer intimately enjoy my relationship with you. And I'm glad that you want that, too! Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Review and reflect on the PRAY acronym. How does an understanding of relationship in prayer help you better appreciate each of the four points? Um, maybe pray to God to enlighten you as you meditate on this?! Praise (tell God what you appreciate about him) Repent (tell God about your sins, trust in his promises of forgiveness) Ask (go ahead, think big, or focus on a small detail, God wants to hear it all) Yield (talk to God about the next step after you say "Amen," how you want faith to lead the way, how you are willing to be part of his answer and see it develop for your good) Daron Lindemann Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

What does God look like?

Don't look at his face. Look at the cross.

Look at God If God would be waiting on your living room sofa for you to get home, and you walk in the door, what would you see? A room filled with smoke and fire? A typical handsome-looking American Jesus? An old guy with a long white beard? In ancient times, a person couldn't look at God and live (Exodus 33:19-23). God's glory and holiness was too much. So, when God appeared to people, he took an earthly form—as a cloud for the Israelites in the wilderness, as a weary traveler at Abraham's doorstep, as a thug picking a fight with Jacob.  But God wanted us to see the real God, and not die. So he took on human nature, while totally remaining God. Full glory, but covered up by flesh. Jesus. One of Jesus' disciples said, "We have seen his glory" (John 1:14).  God had appeared. People saw him. And nobody died. Well, except God. That's why he came. Jesus—God the Son—took on human flesh that would be beaten, nailed to a cross, and killed. That saving and sacrificial act for us paid the justice for our sins.  Now, we can look at God and live! There's a reason that believers around the world represent God with a cross. That is the best answer to, "What does God look like? What is the purpose of pain? Can I trust God and be right with him? Can I look at God and live?" Enjoy this song video by Christian artist Chris Tomlin, titled "At the Cross (Love Ran Red)" https://youtu.be/SUvpBphq5og. PRAYER: I love looking at you, God, when I look at the cross of Christ. I see your love. I see your person. I see what you look like. Thank you for looking at me through the cross, so that I know I am always forgiven and loved. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Read Exodus 33:19-23. We can't handle God's full glory and holiness. We can't look at it and live. He needs to protect us. Here, God's hand shielded Moses from it. In Jesus, his nailed hands protect us from God's holiness. Meditate on these words, and say a prayer that expresses your awe and appreciation.   Daron Lindemann Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

Jesus chooses and designs a better life for you.

Do you believe this is really true?

Life Jesus is just dying to save you, lead you, and love you. Are you dying to believe him, follow him, and trust him with everything you've got?  Here is a sequence of statements Jesus made that will inspire your commitment to him today. "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead" (Matthew 8:22). Jesus confronts disordered love, when one of his followers excuses himself because of his father's funeral.  He either needed to plan it or participate in it. Whatever the circumstances, Jesus knew them, knew the man's conditional commitment better than the man knew it himself, then called him out. Because Jesus wanted the man to truly live, with more life than his earthly father or family could give him. Do you believe this? What do you love so much in your life that it holds you back from Jesus? What occupies your thoughts? What ignites your fears? What takes your time and attention? "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25). This is more of a promise than a command. Notice the "will" in Jesus' words. He is saying that there is a life waiting for you, and you will not find it if you choose it or design it. You will—WILL—find it if you don't choose it and instead Jesus chooses it for you. You will live it fully if Jesus designs it for you. By the way, Jesus did for you exactly what he is asking you to do for him. "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 10:17,18). No matter where you are in your life, Jesus has a place for you in his. And it is out of this world. His crucified life sacrificed everything for you. His resurrected life guarantees you a new life forgiven of past mistakes, a chance to start over again, and a hopeful future. So follow him more than anything. PRAYER: Dear Jesus, no matter where I am in my life, you have a place for me in yours. You choose it and design it for me better than I ever could. Give me the faith to find it and follow you. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Spend time today and over the weekend in Matthew chapter 8.  Before reading, say a prayer, asking for God to grant you new understanding and appreciation for what he wants you to learn.  Read it all the way through. Mentally note anything you are noticing. Read through it again, and meditate on this: What are the people in need looking for in life? How does Jesus respond to them (as in, pay attention to the things Jesus does and says to draw them closer to his life of grace, forgiveness, and healing)? Daron Lindemann Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

Who is filled with the Spirit?

And how to avoid uncontrolled living.

Filled with the Spirit Joshua, the courageous commander of Israel, was filled with the Spirit (Deuteronomy 34:9). The powerful prophet Micah was filled with the Spirit (Micah 3:8). John the Baptist—and both of his parents—were filled with the Spirit (Luke 1:15,41,67). The disciples who spoke in different languages on Pentecost were filled with the Spirit (Acts 2:4).  The crowds who heard these disciples speaking in unfamiliar languages accused them of drunken gibberish. Peter refuted quickly and clearly,"These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning" (Acts 2:15)! To be filled with the Spirit is to be under the influence of God the Holy Spirit, the third person of the divine Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). To be intoxicated with the Holy Spirit so that your impulses, decisions and actions are not totally under your own control anymore.  Get the picture of comparison? The Bible drives it home further, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18). "Debauchery" means "wild or uncontrolled living." Alcohol, which is a depressant, deadens part of the rational brain. It loosens a person's grasp on realities like common sense, or even fearful circumstances or pain. Basically, the happiness (and the foolishness) a person experiences when they are drunk comes because they are less aware of reality.  The Holy Spirit, however, makes us more aware of reality. The Holy Spirit tightens our grip on what is really true. The happiness (and the "foolishness") we experience when we are filled with the Spirit is because we are not in control. The truth is in control. God's character and his promises are true, but more than true. The become very real to us. "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Romans 8:16).  NOTE: I don't believe drinking alcohol is wrong or a sin. I don't believe that anyone who drinks alcohol is a drunk or unfaithful to God. Jesus created wine for a wedding reception. But I do believe that alcohol has power in multiple ways, over time, to control anyone. Even Christians. Even those who aren't clinically addicted.  There is a greater power than alcohol, however, and when that power is being filled with the Spirit, then the need for alcohol will be replaced with the need for the Spirit.  Being filled with the realities of God's grace, of joyful confidence, of peaceful forgiveness, of strength to say no, and all the other "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22) becomes more important than a drink. When that is real and true and consistent in your life, you can drink responsibly. Be thoughtful, prayer-ful, and careful about those choices. The Spirit is willing and able to help. PRAYER: Holy Spirit, God and Lord, fill me up with the realities of your grace, power, forgiveness and peace. Whatever threatens these in my life, take away for the good of my soul. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: I recently heard Christian pastor, author and speaker Max Lucado talk about being filled with the Spirit. He compared it to a hand fitting into a glove. The glove takes the shape of the hand, the hand does not take the shape of the glove. So, the Holy Spirit is the hand and you are the glove. Meditate on this. Ask some reflective questions, such as, "What kind of glove do I picture? Where do I need to let the Spirit shape me? How am I trying to be the hand instead of the glove?" Read Galatians 5:22 and rejoice that the Spirit wants to fill you with these.    Daron Lindemann Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.

How is the Bible rated?

These reviews say a lot.

God's Word About God's Word Finish this statement with the first description that comes to your mind: God's Word is ___________. What if I'd ask you to come up with 65 more descriptions? Could you? I think I might be able to offer a couple dozen, maybe, on a good day. Today I'd like to share with you a list of 66 words that describe the Bible. And here's the amazing part of it. These descriptions are found in the Bible itself. God giving us his word about God's Word.  Therefore, these descriptions are infallibly true. Each is a five-star testimony to the greatness, the completeness, the promise and power of God's Word. You cannot find a more reliable source for a review than the perfect and holy God himself. And there's more. The 66 descriptions represent all 66 books of the Bible—one description from each book. They are listed in a blog by Jared Wilson. You can find it here https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/jared-c-wilson/bible-says-book-book/.  When you read, keep in mind that these verses are describing God's Word. They will help you even more appreciate God's Word and its impact in your life. PRAYER: Dear God, you are committed to clear communication. You don't leave me guessing about life's most important questions. Open my eyes and heart to your life-giving and life-changing words in the Bible. Amen. FURTHER MEDITATION: Proceed through this list of the Bible's own descriptions of itself, book by book. As you do, give special attention to the different synonyms for God's Word, for example, "Scripture, laws, revelation," etc.    Daron Lindemann Pastor Daron pastordaron@crosslifepf.org 512-808-6052 Copyright © 2019 CrossLife Church, All rights reserved.