“So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, ‘Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?’
He replied, ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
“These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.”
‘You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.’ And he continued, ‘You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, “Honor your father and mother,” and, “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.” But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.’” (Mark 7:5-13 NIV)
“Light the Fire,” I heard from beside me as we gathered around a bonfire enjoying a beautiful summer’s night and singing songs. The leader had just asked for requests. “Light the Fire,” I heard again. The two freshmen didn’t know any of the songs we had previously sung and their request was a desire to sing something familiar, something that reminded them of their youth group back home. “We miss it so much,” they told me later. “We just wish we could be back home with our church and our pastor.”
For freshmen, the first weeks of the college experience can be very difficult. Everything is new and unfamiliar. Sometimes the longing for the familiar is so great, new students will return home every weekend or even drop out of school so they can move back home.
The unfamiliar is uncomfortable and, sometimes, threatening to our sense of wellbeing. We tend to recoil from it rather than embrace it. The human tendency is to settle into routine and tradition and to resist change. Sometimes, as with the Pharisees and other religious folks, the need to cling to the familiar supersedes even the commands of God.
If traditions and the familiar can command such sway in our lives, then we should be aware of their dangers and alert to their negative influence on our lives.
This is not to say that traditions are always bad, just that they have a way of impeding our growth and even leading us into disobedience. For example, my wife and I have taken students to South Africa to serve with missionaries there. Several years we took this trip over the Christmas Break. Often, parents objected if their children wanted to participate because it interfered with the family’s Christmas traditions. It would be only one Christmas missed, but even that was too much. They never considered what the Lord might want; keeping the family tradition was what mattered.
Many church splits are the result of traditions being threatened. A typical scenario is a new pastor attempts to change some things. There is resistance from members of the congregation, which eventually leads to the dismissal of the pastor and his supporters follow him, or those against the changes will leave the church.
The end result of this is people miss out on opportunities to grow and mature, and, sometimes, can even be led astray by clinging to the familiar. “Come, follow me” is not an invitation to remain comfortable, but to venture onto an unfamiliar path led by One who knows where He is going.
I encouraged the freshmen to “hang in there” and not to give into the lure of the familiar because I know their current uncomfortableness will give way to growth, maturity, and joy if they will embrace the changes happening in their lives. Jesus never promised us comfortable lives, but did promise to give us life to the full (John 10:10).
Today, recognize clinging to the familiar can be an impediment to your spiritual growth. Following Jesus means we often have to leave familiar territory and embark on an unfamiliar path. The end result, however, will be far greater than we could ever imagine.
© Jim Musser 2014
“If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” (I Timothy 4:6-10 NIV)
During the pre-surgery consult with my orthopedic surgeon last spring, he told me he would replace my knee and then his work was done. “The recovery is up to you,” he said.
In all of my research prior to the surgery, what the doctor told me was confirmed. Successful knee replacement surgery is dependent on the patient’s willingness and commitment to do the rehab. A friend recently told me of a relative who was not progressing well after her TKR surgery. The problem, he said, was her lack of interest in doing the rehab exercises.
In our church culture, there is a lot of emphasis on getting saved, but often little recognition of the damage done by our lostness. To draw a parallel to my TKR surgery, becoming saved is the operation to give us a new heart and new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26), which is followed by a long rehabilitation period. We are new creations, but we are far from godly. As Paul tells Timothy, godliness comes by training.
Too often, we have the false impression that turning our lives over to Jesus initially is all that is needed, but that is like me thinking getting my knee replaced will make everything better. It merely lays the groundwork for vast change in lifestyle and quality of living, but there remains much hard work to be done for that to happen. The rehab is the key.
For decades I walked on a bad joint and my leg was terribly bowed. The surgery replaced the bad joint and realigned my leg. My physical therapist told me that most of my recovery would involve retraining my muscles after years of firing from a certain position. Now they are in a different position and unaccustomed to it. Without training, they will attempt to function as before.
Prior to knowing Jesus, there were years of godless thoughts, habits, and actions. They were ingrained in us and came naturally to us. Yes, we were given a new heart and new spirit, but our flesh is unaccustomed to our heart’s new alignment. It must be trained if we are to see the results we have been told are possible.
Today, recognize that in order to become godly, you must be willing to do the work. It will not happen naturally or without effort. After any operation, there is a period of recovery and rehabilitation. The same is true after we accept Jesus as the Lord of our lives. Much work awaits if we are to make a full recovery.
© Jim Musser 2014
“Then Jesus asked, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.’” (Luke 13:18-19 NIV)
The first time I went for physical therapy after my knee replacement surgery in May, the therapist had me get on a stationary bike. At that point, my range of motion didn’t allow me to pedal a full circle. I just went slightly forward and then back. I returned two days later and did the same thing. A little forward, and then back. A little forward, and then back. After a few minutes, suddenly the pedals completed a rotation! It was a major accomplishment on my road to recovery.
From then on, I began spending more time on the bike. For the first couple of weeks, I couldn’t pedal fast enough to turn on the machine. I was pedaling in full circles, but hardly fast enough for the bike to light up and ask, “Are you ready for your workout?” To be honest, it was a little embarrassing amongst all the people around me pouring sweat and working at levels 10 and above on their machines. I couldn’t even get mine to turn on!
While it was frustrating, my efforts were not in vain. In those times of pedaling so slowly, I was still building strength. It was imperceptible at first, but as I went along the speed of my pedaling increased—10 rpms, then 20, 30, and, finally, at 40 the machine lit up and stayed on! And as my speed increased, so did my stamina. I am now doing 30 minutes at an average of 80 rpms with one-minute sprints of 100+ rpms mixed in.
My recovery process has taught me much about faith. Jesus says faith is like a mustard seed (Luke 17:6). When it is planted in our lives, it may not seem like much is going on. We look around at people who demonstrate great faith and we feel embarrassed at how small ours is, and may think we could never have such faith. But if we nurture it with obedience, the little faith we had when we first turned control of our lives over to Jesus will grow into a strong faith unmoved by the trials of this world. It is the small steps that lead to great things.
If you feel like your faith is such that it can’t even turn on the machine, don’t be discouraged. Just keep pedaling! Be obedient to the Lord in those little things of life, like turning your eyes away from the scantily dressed woman rather than lusting after her; refusing to join in on the gossip among your friends; risking ridicule by choosing to read your Bible or pray in public; choosing at the prompting of the Lord to give the $20 you intended to spend on yourself to support a missionary or someone in need. These are the little steps of faith that can lead to much greater faith later on.
Today, know that the Lord can grow your faith into something large and significant. It may begin very slowly, but in time it will grow if you just keep pedaling.
© Jim Musser 2014
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV)
“If you were to have told me last year that I would be sitting here, I would have thought you were crazy.” “My life has changed so much. If you had told me when I was a freshman what it would be like, I never would have believed it.”
These are quotes from two of our student leaders who made these comments during our weekend leaders’ planning retreat where we gathered to finalize plans for the new school year. Their lives have changed in ways they couldn’t have imagined because they began to grasp the breadth of God’s love, not only for themselves, but for the world as well. And they submitted to Him, stepping out of their comfort zones to be obedient to Him.
Both had plans for their lives—the typical plans of finishing their degrees and getting jobs in their respective fields. Both had attended church much of their lives and got involved with a campus ministry when they came to college, but their faith was on the fringe of their lives. Like so many, it was a part of their lives, but did not define them. And, as a result, they had little idea of what the Lord wanted and could do in their lives.
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians is a powerful one and informs us of what is necessary for our lives to be truly transformed—far beyond what we could ever imagine. First, Christ must dwell in our hearts. The word “dwell” conveys a sense of permanency and primacy. Jesus must move in and establish permanent residency in our lives. He is not just dropping by for a visit; our lives are not just a place He spends the weekends. Second, we must realize the breadth of the Lord’s love for us. Child psychologists have long established that a child’s sense that he is loved is the key to growing into a healthy and secure adult. When we truly recognize the fullness of Christ’s love for us, we are able to trust Him when He calls us out of our comfort zones. For the two students, obeying His call to go to Uganda this summer was far from comfortable, but they trusted Him and their vision of the Kingdom was greatly expanded.
So many of us settle into life being guided by our expectations, or by those around us, be they our parents, our friends, or the culture in general. We fail to realize God has so much more for us if we are willing to trust Him.
Today, realize how much the Lord loves you. Give Him a permanent home in your life. Allow Him to direct your life. If you do, like these two students, you will be saying in years to come, “If you had told me…”
© Jim Musser 2014
(Author's Note: Due to the impending surgery described below, this will likely be my last devotion until August, unless of course I have the state of mind not dulled by pain medication to do a couple more before the end of the semester on Friday. Thanks to all who wrote me encouraging comments and messages throughout the past 10 months. Until August, many blessings! Jim)
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV)
Tomorrow morning I will be wheeled into the surgical theater. The orthopedic surgeon will take his scalpel and make a 4-5 inch cut length-wise across my knee. He will cut through both the tibia and femoral bones in order to remove the damaged joint and replace it with a brand new one. The surgery will be painful and the recovery arduous, but the outcome will be having a well-functioning joint for the first time in decades.
Years ago, when writing another devotion on this passage, I referred to the Lord as the “divine surgeon.” Using His Word as a scalpel, He cuts deep into us to reveal damaged tissue and dysfunctional organs. His cuts are precise, not shoddy; clean, not jagged.
During my first knee operation, a nurse’s assistant came to shave the hair on and around my knee in preparation for my surgery the next morning. Using a dull razor and poor technique, he cut my knee so badly that it drew a derisive comment from the surgeon as he prepared to operate. Thankfully, the Lord’s scalpel is sharp and his technique is perfect.
My surgery tomorrow will be painful, but it is the only way for me to once again walk normally and be able to resume activities I had to give up many years ago. My surgeon is very experienced and has done this procedure literally thousands of times. He knows what he is doing and I am confident in his skills and the outcome. Am I nervous? Of course. No one wants to suffer pain, but I am confident it will be worth it.
It is a similar experience with the Lord cutting deep into us. It can be very painful to learn of the dark things that lie within us. Many would just rather not have them revealed, so they refuse to allow the Lord to operate. They will tolerate a cursory examination, but a surgical procedure is out of the question. The story of the rich young ruler is a perfect
example of this (Luke 18:18-23).
Sadly, this only allows for the continuation of the suffering. Before my second knee operation, the surgeon examined me and said he knew there was something wrong with the joint, but he wouldn’t know the extent of it until he opened it up and probed around.
To be healed spiritually of what ails us, a casual reading of the Scriptures will not do. The Word must penetrate our hearts; it must cut through the outward flesh in order to get to the root of the problem and clean it up. It is painful, but necessary if we ever want to function in our lives as the Lord intended.
Today, know the Lord is a skilled surgeon, wielding a sharp scalpel. His technique is perfect and, if you allow Him to use it, will bring healing to the diseased and damaged areas of your life. The procedure will indeed be painful, but the outcome will be more than worth it.
© Jim Musser 2014
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:24-26 NIV)
I severely injured my knee when I was a teen. For my whole adult life, I have lived with a poorly functioning joint. In the last 15 years, it has slowly deteriorated, increasingly limiting my physical activity. Last year, I began to think seriously about a knee replacement, but our insurance was such it was not financially feasible. I had to wait until we could acquire better health insurance. That came in January and I immediately began to make plans for the surgery.
I hoped to do it during Spring Break, but a freak snowstorm in Charlotte delayed my pre-op consultation for two weeks and closed that window of opportunity. More waiting. Finally, the surgery was set for May 6th. My family physician scheduled several tests he required before he would clear me for the procedure, but scheduling the tests proved difficult. Again, more waiting. Those tests were finally done this week and I am still waiting for the results and whether or not my doctor will clear me for a major operation scheduled just days from now.
To say I have been frustrated by the delays is an understatement. I am not good at waiting patiently. But I don’t think I am alone in that. Waiting is difficult, particularly if it is something we want very badly, such as a romantic relationship or marriage, a coveted job, or just relief from a difficult stretch in life.
What is encouraging in this passage is that we are not alone in our struggle to maintain hope in the midst of uncertainty. The Spirit is walking along side us, helping us and strengthening us so that we can maintain hope instead of giving up or making ill-advised decisions to force our will upon the situation. Even in the midst of our confusion about delays in what we hope for, the Spirit sees clearly what we need.
Today, if you are hoping for something, like me, that is not coming fast enough, know that you are not alone in battling frustration and discouragement. Don’t give up. The Spirit is right there with you and He knows what you need.
© Jim Musser 2014
“Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.’ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.” (Acts 24:24-26 NIV)
I have written on occasion about the trend in many churches and among many Christians to downplay sin and repentance in proclaiming the gospel. Instead, the emphasis is heavy on the grace of God, which, of course, is crucial to the gospel, but not the only element. In this passage, Luke summarizes what Paul shared with Felix and his wife regarding faith in Christ into three points: righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.
I think most of us would not be surprised by the first and the last, but self-control? This is a part of faith in Christ? It would seem so. And for good reason.
Jesus said that to follow Him we must die to ourselves (Matthew 16:24), which means putting to death those things in our lives not pleasing to Him. There are many things—lust, greed, selfishness, etc.—that come naturally to us. As Paul indicates in his letter to the Roman believers (7:19-20), dying to self is a monumental struggle, but struggle we must. This is where self-control comes in. We cannot please God and do just what comes naturally to us or feels good. All you have to do is look around and see the disaster and tragedy that results from a lack of self-control. Binge drinking leading to rape, violence, and death. Jealousy leading to stalking and murder. Greed leading to oppression of workers. Lust leading children to become victims of sex trafficking. And the list could go on and on.
Self-control is to be a part of every believer’s life. It is a fruit produced within us by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It is absolutely necessary for us to attain the righteousness of which Paul spoke to Felix. So to proclaim a gospel that says one can follow Jesus and continue to live however he or she pleases is to go against one of the main elements of the good news.
Today, recognize accepting God’s grace through Jesus means dying to your own natural desires, which by necessity requires self-control. But do not fear; along with receiving the Holy Spirit comes the power to control those self-centered impulses. The key is allowing the Spirit to exert that power. For that is the difference between being righteous and living as we please.
© Jim Musser 2014
