What really is impossible? Probably fair less than we imagine in our minds. Most often, impossibilities lie within our self-imposed barriers rather than within the realm of God. Case in point: a man named Abraham, and his wife, Sarah. God, through angelic messengers, made this absurd announcement:

"I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son." (Genesis 18:10)

If we didn't know the rest of the story, we would probably react as Sarah did: "Sarah laughed to herself" (Genesis 18:12). That's a mild reaction; this statement merited a roll-on-the-floor-laughing-hysterically response. Sarah was a post-menopausal woman in her nineties! The outrageous promise of God was without precedent; doubt and laughter seemed the obvious response. But, the impossible is very possible when we factor in the truth of this question:
"Is anything too difficult for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14).

You know the rest of the story: a child WAS born to Abraham and Sarah a year later; a child of promise who became ancestor of our Lord Jesus and the people of promise, the Jews. And it is a great story that shouts to us with application: Is anything too difficult for the LORD? But, that's where human rationale easily factors in. Sure, God could do this for Abraham and Sarah, but He isn't in the business of paying off debt, or healing people today like in bygone days. Great stories of faith and victory from "the Bible days" are just that: historic stories of the past. Or, so we reason.

Make no mistake: I'm not exactly throwing mountains into the sea with my grain-of-mustard-seed faith. I easily view the legendary stories of faith in Hebrews eleven as magnificently impressive, but personally unattainable. And yet, the probing question continues to stare me in the face: Is anything too difficult for the LORD? The answer that comes too easily is, "No, but ..." For the innumerable great possibilities that are available through my incomparable Creator, there are thousands of exception clauses in my faulty faith.

What would happen if you and I truly believed what we read in the Bible? What possibilities would become realities if we could truly wrap our minds - and our faith - around stories like Abraham and Sarah, and David and Goliath, and Moses, and the miracles of Jesus? There are far more Kingdom-serving feats of faith at our disposal than we can likely begin to imagine in this moment.

What impossible mountains loom before you today? Is there a health, financial, marital, vocational, or emotional obstacle that stares menacingly at you today? Is overcoming it impossible, or only in your mind? Is anything too difficult for the LORD?

May the God of all possibilities remove our faith barriers today, and open our eyes and minds to the limitless possibilities available through Him.

Steve

© 2011, Steve Taylor

Justice often seems in short supply. Sentences for serious crimes seem woefully inadequate and unfair. The wickedly crafty exploit those less discerning. Ruthless rulers oppress their citizens and deny basic human rights. Injustice weighs heavily on righteous souls who cry out to God, "How long?"

"The wicked will return to Sheol, Even all the nations who forget God. For the needy will not always be forgotten, Nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever. Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged before You. Put them in fear, O LORD; Let the nations know that they are but men." (Psalm 9:17-20)

The Psalmist reminds us that justice will one day come through the direct intervention of our Creator, even as he appeals to the LORD to act. Wicked people and nations will be consigned to destruction. The poor will be provided for. The afflicted will have hope restored.

How easy it is to lose sight of ultimate justice. The people of God are often oppressed and mistreated by the sons of the evil one in the world. The way of righteousness is mocked and ignored, while ungodly values and lifestyles are glorified. Will God ever act?

The dilemma of justice delayed invariably takes me back to familiar words in 2 Peter: "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!" (2 Peter 3:9-12).

Justice delayed is grace extended. This moment of injustice is an opportunity for the unrepentant. And perhaps that perspective moves us from groaning for justice to administering His grace to the responsive.

As we wait for justice and administer grace, perhaps the best prayer we can pray today is that of the Psalmist: "Let the nations know that they are but men." Perhaps we need that reminder as well.

May we serve today as agents of justice and mercy for the God who is Lord of both.

Steve

© 2011, Steve Taylor

Cities of refuge. They were places of safety for those who had committed unintentional crimes.

"Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood. He shall flee to one of these cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and state his case in the hearing of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city to them and give him a place, so that he may dwell among them." (Joshua 20:2-4)

As is so often the case in the Old Testament, various practices and procedures are figures of true substance found in the new covenant under Christ. Cities of refuge are a very real picture of our place of refuge in Christ. We find safety in Him from the unintentional sins we inevitably commit. There we find safety from "the avenger of blood", the adversary who accuses, Satan.

As those who have found a place of refuge in Christ, we are called to provide a similar refuge for others in our personal and corporate lives. We are to be a "support group" for recovering sinners in Christ.

I am forever indebted to men and women of faith who have, over the years, served as cities of refuge to me. Most notably, two men in a church I once pastored were unconditionally supportive, vulnerably honest, and unswervingly confidential. Never before or since have I shared in such non-judgmental honesty and heartfelt prayer. My emotional and spiritual health was greatly enriched in this "city of refuge" fellowship.

A frequent complaint about Christian fellowship is that it's a place where you cannot truly bring your life. We bring our service, financial support, and worship, but not the raw and real nature of our lives. Focus on living "the victorious life" easily overrides safe and honest sharing concerning sinful habits and temptations, and struggles of faith.

Sunday worship gatherings hardly seem the place for "city of refuge" sharing, but the cause of worship might sometimes better be served by gatherings of two to three desperately-hurting people in adjacent rooms. Personal pain often precludes joyous worship, so these gatherings in sincerity, support, and prayer might result in more authentic worship on such occasions..

In Christ we find a "city of refuge", and through Christ we become "cities of refuge". May we freely offer refuge to those today who need it, even as we have freely received in Christ.

Steve

© 2011, Steve Taylor

The age of seventy-five sounds more like a retirement age than a leap-of-faith age. But, taking a step of faith at this age is what makes this extraordinary man of faith so ... well, extraordinary.

"So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran." (Genesis 12:4)

It's much easier for us because we know the rest of the story. God abundantly blessed Abraham because of his faith, and the salvation that has come to us through his descendant, Jesus, is a personal blessing we enjoy. But, at the time of Abraham's faith journey, the benefits and blessings weren't in sight. The long desert journey likely provided plenty of time and opportunity for second thoughts and doubt. Although the call to the faith journey was clear, living with and walking the decision was a formidable challenge. And that's the nature and challenge of faith: stepping out toward the unseen and the unknown, and continuing on when the urge to quit and return is nearly overwhelming.

Many of us can recite the faith-definition-verse from Hebrews eleven: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). Defining faith is far simpler than living faith. Subscribing intellectually to the "Abrahamic faith" is much easier than packing for the journey and then setting out, as Abraham did.

Daily life is ripe with opportunities for steps of faith. Packing our possessions and moving a few hundred or thousand miles is the idea of faith many people have, but journeys into the risky unknown can be taken daily. Getting out of our comfort zone to initiate a life-changing spiritual conversation is as much a faith step as a cross-country move. Moving out away from safe routines to engage in activities that clearly have the leading and approval of God are ventures in faith.

The adventure of faith brings us face to face with two key questions: (1) What activities and initiatives exhibit the clear leading and calling of God? and; (2) How can I be involved in these? Risky questions to ask, to be sure, but questions that open the door to rich and fulfilling adventures in faith.

Faith calls us to give up - "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house" (Genesis 12:1) - but what we gain in the adventure of faith far outweighs that which we give up.

May this day be an adventure in faith that enlarges the kingdom of God.

Steve

© 2011, Steve Taylor

It's easy to lose perspective. Our lives and circumstances loom large in our own eyes, but not when compared to the vastness of the universe. Perspective is easily lost when we don't take time to consider our place in the universe.

"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet" (Psalm 8:3-6)

Few adults take time to lie back and look up at the night sky. I was given a telescope a year or two ago, and for a time I savored the night sky through the eye of its lens. My appreciation for the immense size of our universe grew. A video I saw recently, which helped give some sense of perspective as to the size of the universe, gave me a fresh appreciation of the vastness of God's creation.

According to the Psalmist, it is only when we take time to consider God's celestial creation that we began to gain perspective on ourselves, and the priority of the son of man. The son of man, whom we know to be Jesus (Yeshua), has been created "a little lower than God". And yet, in this subservient position, He is crowned with glory and majesty, and entrusted with rulership over all that God has made. All of creation is being put under His feet.

Pondering the vastness of the universe as we look up at the night sky gives perspective to our lives, and the role of God's Son. It all brings life perspective and problems into harmony with God's purposes. As His creation, He wants each of us to be subject to His Son. In doing so, we are not submitting to a ruthless dictator, but rather to the compassionate care of the One who knows our human frailty and weakness, and calls forth the resources of heaven to assist us in our need.

The busyness of life easily keeps us from considering the heavens - taking the time to lie back and look up at the vastness that surrounds us. Miniscule as we truly are in our little corner of the universe, our thoughts and concerns are well known and important to our Creator. This truth invokes the response of the Psalmist: "O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:9)

Steve

© 2011, Steve Taylor

Cataclysmic floods are headline news these days. Images of raging waters carrying along cars and trucks like toys are vivid reminders of the destructive forces of water. But, devastating as these floods are, they pale in comparison to THE flood, a worldwide catastrophe. This great flood, and the account of Noah and the ark - recorded in the book of Genesis - is a story well known to many. This epic disaster is unparallel, and, mercifully, always will be:

"the LORD said to Himself, 'I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease.'" (Genesis 8:21-22)

Even considering the evil intent of the human heart, God has decreed that He will never again act in judgment as He did in the days of Noah. Agricultural, seasonal, and daily cycles are reminders that God will never again act in watery judgment. But, that doesn't mean He won't act again in judgment, as many mistakenly believe.

The apostle Peter, responding to the cynic's view that Jesus' Second Coming was a myth, insightfully revealed pertinent details regarding coming judgment:

"it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:5-7)

If you're betting that God won't ever again act in judgment, it's a bet you are sure to lose! Just because He promised never to act again in watery judgment doesn't preclude other forms of judgment. As surely as places such as California anticipate THE BIG ONE (earthquake), so people everywhere can also anticipate imminent fiery judgment at the hand of our Creator.

So, what's a person to do if THE BIG ONE (judgment) is coming? Again, Peter provides valuable insight: "Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God" (2 Peter 3:11-12). Live a holy life in Christ Jesus. Passionately pursue godliness. Separate yourself from lifestyle that ultimately invokes God's wrath and judgment. Share the gospel message (Acts 8:12) with urgency and compassion.

It's easy to view the cycles of nature (Genesis 8:22) as predictable safe patterns, but we know that one day they will be abruptly preempted in catastrophic judgment. Live life today with that knowledge, and pursue the priorities that it prompts.

Steve

© 2011, Steve Taylor

Where is God in the silence? Many have been perplexed at the silence of God amidst their deepest valley, wondering why He is most silent when His voice is needed most. Among those pondering this puzzling mystery was the writer of the Psalms:

"Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer." (Psalm 4:1)

"His thoughts are more urgently expressed in these words, echoed by Jesus on the cross: My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1) David, this pillar of faith, and "a man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22), greatly struggled with the silence of God, as many of us today do. But, God's people are never alone in the silence:

"But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD." (Psalm 4:3-5)

While there are times when God is silent, there is never a time when He is absent. As David says, He has set apart the godly individual for Himself, and is attentive. This thought should inspire awe, and a God-pleasing lifestyle. This truth is cause for silent meditation, and trust.

I'm not proud of the times that I have shaken an angry fist at the God Who was silent when I thought I needed a word of comfort and reassurance. I now see how presumptuous and arrogant such actions and attitudes were. What I now see much more clearly is that God could trust me with the silence as I cultivated greater faith and patience.

Where is God in the silence? Much nearer than you know, and far more attentive than you realize. He has set apart His godly people for special relationship and purpose. These are thoughts worth a lifetime of meditation.

The God whose name is Yahweh is working out His great plans through those who belong to His Son. As we pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven", we remind ourselves of what He has set us apart for. We are set apart for training and preparation to rule the world together with His Son at His return (Revelation 20:6). How could He not be attentive to those with such a special purpose and destiny?

Steve

© 2011, Steve Taylor

The most unlikely people often exhibit the character God most desires. Consider the example of a prostitute named Rahab: she and her family were the sole survivors of the massacre at Jericho. And why?

"The city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the LORD; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent." (Joshua 6:17)

The details are found a few chapters earlier, in Joshua two. Rahab's own words speak volumes about her character:

"I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath." (Joshua 2:9-11)

The Red Sea story quickly spread throughout the region, and prompted terror and fear in the hearts of the people in surrounding regions. But, Rahab concluded that Yahweh alone is "God in heaven above and on earth beneath." Fear moved her to faith.

It's easy to skim through the genealogy of Jesus and miss the important mention of Rahab there: "Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab ..." (Matthew 1:5). Jesus' genealogy largely lists fathers and sons, but four women are prominently mentioned; one of which is Rahab the prostitute.

Her prominent status in the lineage of Jesus is hardly an endorsement of her chosen "profession", but rather of her outstanding faith, as is so evident in Joshua two. That faith merits mention in the great faith chapter of the Bible, Hebrews eleven (11:31). Simple, child-like faith spared her and her family from destruction and literally placed her in the family of our Lord Jesus.

Some find it troubling that Jesus' ancestral background includes the likes of Rahab, and king David's adulterous union with Bathsheba. Jesus' connection with humanity is, well; TOO human. Being the Son of God is easier to swallow than being the Son of man from a notably flawed human background. Yet, there is an important point in this uncomfortable truth: the vital quality of faith overrides a multitude of character flaws. Character will ultimately flow from faith, but can never substitute for it.

You and I are painfully aware of our own human failure and weakness. But, the example of Rahab reminds us that faith wins over our faults and flaws. Walk today by faith, and experience the grace of God that forms character as He desires.

Steve

© 2011, Steve Taylor

The fine art of shipbuilding was his response to the evil times he lived in. Such a statement hardly makes sense, unless you know the story of Noah.

"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The LORD said, 'I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.' But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:5-8)

It was the last straw for humanity; evil had reached the action level on God's judgment scale. Fate was sealed for every living creature on the face of planet earth. Except there was one exception: a man named Noah, who found favor with God on the eve of planetary annihilation. And thus he was led to the fine art of shipbuilding in response to the pervading evil of the times (Genesis 6:14-16).

Now, the story of Noah and the ark is an interesting read from the standpoint of history. Except that it has a real-time application for the era we live in:

"For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be." (Matthew 24:37-39)

The wicked routine characteristic of the days of Noah parallels the days preceding the return of Christ. Noah was busy with preaching and preparation prior to cataclysmic judgment. An evil generation, however, paid no heed even as deadly floodwaters literally descended upon them. And, the evil generation at the time of Christ's return will do similarly.

So, what the lesson here? Do we bide our time in evil times as we wait for vindication and judgment at the return of Christ? Waiting it out hardly seems a responsible course of action. So, maybe we brush up on the fine art of shipbuilding, as Noah did. No, we don't head to the lumber company and order massive quantities of building materials. Rather, we proclaim and practice an "ark of safety" called baptism, as 1 Peter 3:20-21 describes. We urgently appeal to the responsive living in a wicked generation, that they accept God's gracious offer through His Son, while there is time.

Evil times are not met with despair, but rather an urgent appeal for repentance by the responsive. The message entrusted to us to share is an "ark of safety" for all who will respond. As such, may we be found faithful shipbuilders today.

Steve

© 2011, Steve Taylor

When you know the plan, everything makes sense. The latest headlines and news flashes are less confusing and disturbing when you know what's really going on behind the scenes.

"Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!'" (Psalm 2:1-3)

Aggression and posturing by leaders of the nations of the world is motivated by a desire to break free from the rightful jurisdiction of the one true God and His Anointed, Jesus the Christ. These motives and actions gave sense to the mistreatment that the early church experienced for declaring the gospel message (Acts 4:25-26). And, this information allows us to make sense of opposition and mistreatment as we live and proclaim the message of the kingdom of God. We belong to a system and government that the world fiercely opposes.

If we are to truly understand the radical opposition we face by the system of the world, then we need to fully understand the vital truth concerning what God is really up to in the world:

"I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.'" (Psalm 2:7-8)

God has begotten a Son, whom we know to be Jesus. Our Father is in process of giving to His Son the nations of the world - even the earth itself - as His inheritance. But, the world that God is giving to His Son "lies in the power of the evil one" (1 John 5:19), so it isn't about to give up without a fight! Thus, the underlying cause of all world conflict and aggression is the mortal conflict between the system of the world and the kingdom of God.

So, what's a believer to do in light of this knowledge? Organize a coup to overthrow an evil system, and thus better serve the kingdom we belong to? You would be hard pressed to find biblical rationale for that course of action. No, rather, it seems, we live with the knowledge of the ultimate outcome, and the basis for current conflict and opposition. We seek to live in greatest harmony with the "constitution" of the government we truly belong to (i,e., Matthew 5-7). And we simply pray daily, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10). And we respond to His prompting in light of that prayer.

I'll likely be aware of news flashes throughout this day, and may watch some of the evening news later. But, no matter what makes the news, I'll know what really is behind it all, and it will simply focus me more on my true government and its inevitable triumph. May it do the same for you.

Steve

© 2010, Steve Taylor

Incredible real estate deals. Limited time offer. Act fast.

"Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you" (Joshua 1:3).

What was true for Joshua and the Jewish people is even more so for the people of God: "'Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him." (Daniel 7:27) Literally, every place where the feet of the people of God tread God has given to them.

Now, before you run out and inform the current administration that the United States White House belongs to you, you might do well to consider just WHEN you get the land of promise. It's your now, but only as promise; not literal possession.

"Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6)

A Return and a resurrection are prelude to the promise of the real estate. Until Christ returns to claim the land, and resurrects His dead followers, possession of the land is premature. As such, we are like the people of faith of old: "All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles in the land." (Hebrews 11:13).

Knowing the inevitable outcome determines present action. If we know that we are to inherit all the land - the earth (Matthew 5:5) - then how are we living today according to that reality? Are we secretly savoring a choice piece of real estate that we hope to fully claim in the age to come? Or, is there a more realistic and active course of action to take as we await fulfillment?

Jesus indicated in His model prayer that His followers ought to petition the Father: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) I find myself praying that prayer with greater frequency these days as I realize that it truly summarizes the essence of God's will and my priorities as a disciple. Anything not in harmony with the Father's great purpose of giving all the land to the saints of God is of minor importance at best. Participating fully and wholeheartedly with this purpose and plan is what it means to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

Since we are destined to inherit all the land, the challenge before us it to live and pray according to the reality of that promise. May we each find renewed purpose and energy today as we pray and live in harmony with this great promise and plan.

Steve

© 2010, Steve Taylor

"In the beginning God created ..." (Genesis 1:1). These opening words of the Bible are familiar to many, yet monumentally profound in their simplicity. At the start of all things there was the God Who created. But, how do we begin to fathom "the beginning", any more than we can begin to truly fathom the God Who created? Both stretch the realm of our understanding. An indeterminate infinity stretched before a point in time when God chose to act in creativity to bring into existence all that is. Before there was a beginning, there always was the God Who would create all that is.

While we mortals cannot comprehend a God without beginning or end, or grasp infinite time that preceded all that exists, we rest in the comforting confidence that a creative God, Yahweh, is the source of all that exists, including us. For reasons we will never fully understand, He chose to act and bring us and all that is into existence. Were it not for His initiative, we would not exist. So, is it too much to ask and expect that we would live all our days in absolute wonderment of and devotion to this creative God?

The Psalmist responded to these thoughts and questions with these words: "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?" (Psalm 8:3-4). How is it possible that the infinite Creator of the vast universe could show even the slightest regard for His humble creatures? If we dare regard ourselves with exaggerated importance we have not even begun to truly consider the God who created us and all that is.

The creation account of Genesis one is awe-inspiring, but we need look no further than the first five words to find sufficient cause for a lifetime of worship and devotion. The rest of the inspired record called the Bible is a history and appeal of this creative God whose unswerving desire is intimate relationship with His intelligent creatures. Indeed, "What is man that You take thought of him?" The fact is, He DOES take thought of us, more carefully and intimately than we will ever know this side of the Kingdom of God. May that truth be a source of heartfelt worship and devotion today - and always.

Steve

© 2010, Steve Taylor