Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 50; Jeremiah 51; 3 John 1
Scripture: Jeremiah 51:64 ...The words of Jeremiah end here.
Observation: Jeremiah was a great man -- a servant of God -- a prophet -- a man of courage -- a great man. He was a man who spoke words of truth that were largely not well received. He was hated, threatened, imprisoned, feared. Jeremiah was thrown into a muddy hole and had to be rescued with ropes pulled up by thirty men. He gave private audiences to kings. His words were largely misunderstood and ignored. And the scripture above is the place in the Bible where the words of Jeremiah come to an end.
Application: This will happen to all of us. There is a moment in time when our words will come to an end. There will be an instant when I will have spoken my last word.
Yet Jeremiah's words live on. They live on in the Bible. They live on in history because some of his words have yet to be fulfilled.
What about my words? Will they live on beyond my final breath? I pray that my words live on in the lives of the people who heard them: my wife, my children and grandchildren; my colaborers in the work of the gospel; the people I have had the privilege of pastoring over the years; and friends, neighbors, acquaintances, strangers.
For me the bottom line is this: Make my words count. Fill everything that I say with meaning, emotion, passion, and intention.
Prayer: May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, my God and my redeemer.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Title: The Un-Recommendation / Topic: Testimony
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 37; Jeremiah 38; Jeremiah 39; Psalm 79; 2 John 1
Scripture: Psalm 79:9-10
9 Help us, O God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name's sake.
10 Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"
Observation: "Where is their God?" That is a question that should not be asked by anyone observing God's people. Unfortunately, many of God's people's lives do not do much to recommend God. Doubt, disobedience, lack of discipline, poor character, bad attitudes -- these are a few of the characteristics that the observer might see in the lives of "Christians" today. And when the people of God do not honor God with their lives, they make themselves an un-recommendation or an un-advertisement.
Application: Why should anyone say, "Where is his God?" when observing me? Sadly, sometimes I could give cause for such a question. Why? How? By failing to lay hold of the great and precious promises of God and by living a life on a merely human plane due to a lack of faith.
God has called me to be supernatural -- to live on a higher plane.
Prayer: Lord help me to live where You live. To lift up my eyes to You, my Helper, my Savior, my Redeemer. May I submit and surrender to Your awesome power and not be dragged down by my own pride, greed, lust, or sloth. May I not be afraid to give up my stuff (which is not much) to gain Your stuff (which is awesome), so that others may clearly see You active and powerful through my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 79:9-10
9 Help us, O God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name's sake.
10 Why should the nations say,
"Where is their God?"
Observation: "Where is their God?" That is a question that should not be asked by anyone observing God's people. Unfortunately, many of God's people's lives do not do much to recommend God. Doubt, disobedience, lack of discipline, poor character, bad attitudes -- these are a few of the characteristics that the observer might see in the lives of "Christians" today. And when the people of God do not honor God with their lives, they make themselves an un-recommendation or an un-advertisement.
Application: Why should anyone say, "Where is his God?" when observing me? Sadly, sometimes I could give cause for such a question. Why? How? By failing to lay hold of the great and precious promises of God and by living a life on a merely human plane due to a lack of faith.
God has called me to be supernatural -- to live on a higher plane.
Prayer: Lord help me to live where You live. To lift up my eyes to You, my Helper, my Savior, my Redeemer. May I submit and surrender to Your awesome power and not be dragged down by my own pride, greed, lust, or sloth. May I not be afraid to give up my stuff (which is not much) to gain Your stuff (which is awesome), so that others may clearly see You active and powerful through my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Title: Ultimately But Not Immediately / Topic: God's Sovereignty
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 33; Jeremiah 34; Psalm 74; 1 John 5
Scripture: 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
Observation: "God is in control." This is a popular phrase among Christians, especially when things go wrong or if something happens that is difficult to understand. There is even a popular Christian song by that title. The phrase is often repeated when we are faced with the fact that events in this world seem quite out of control and trends are moving in the wrong direction.
But here, John tells us that God is not in control! -- "the whole world is under the control of the evil one." That is something that I do not like to hear. But it is true. God is sovereign. That is, there is nothing that happens that is beyond His ability to do something about it. But apparently, though God has ultimate sovereignty, the immediate situation is that the control of this planet is in satan's hands. Note that John points out that "we are children of God." This phrase stands to contrast the condition of the world: We are under God's control but the world is under satan's control. That means we live in a hostile environment. What to do?
Application: Well, if I believe the whole chapter, John made this point clear: I have the upper hand: "for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (vss. 4-5)
I have a choice here. I can either sink in fear and depression, holding on until Jesus comes back to save me out of this mess, or I can lay hold of overcoming faith in Jesus, and rise above the negative world in which I live. I can have "the victory that has overcome the world" through faith. This is a challenge but there is a faith that is transformative. (Read Hebrews chapter 11.)
Prayer: Lord, I want to lay hold of this victorious lifestyle and attitude. Give us faith that rises above the turmoil and dismay that can so easily swamp us in the mire of doubt, depression, and despair. Thank You for Your victory. Help us to find power to live in our victory through faith in You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
Observation: "God is in control." This is a popular phrase among Christians, especially when things go wrong or if something happens that is difficult to understand. There is even a popular Christian song by that title. The phrase is often repeated when we are faced with the fact that events in this world seem quite out of control and trends are moving in the wrong direction.
- Terrorists attack -- "God is in control."
- Hollywood puts out an anti-Christian film -- "God is in control."
- The ACLU attacks Christianity and wins -- "God is in control."
But here, John tells us that God is not in control! -- "the whole world is under the control of the evil one." That is something that I do not like to hear. But it is true. God is sovereign. That is, there is nothing that happens that is beyond His ability to do something about it. But apparently, though God has ultimate sovereignty, the immediate situation is that the control of this planet is in satan's hands. Note that John points out that "we are children of God." This phrase stands to contrast the condition of the world: We are under God's control but the world is under satan's control. That means we live in a hostile environment. What to do?
Application: Well, if I believe the whole chapter, John made this point clear: I have the upper hand: "for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (vss. 4-5)
I have a choice here. I can either sink in fear and depression, holding on until Jesus comes back to save me out of this mess, or I can lay hold of overcoming faith in Jesus, and rise above the negative world in which I live. I can have "the victory that has overcome the world" through faith. This is a challenge but there is a faith that is transformative. (Read Hebrews chapter 11.)
Prayer: Lord, I want to lay hold of this victorious lifestyle and attitude. Give us faith that rises above the turmoil and dismay that can so easily swamp us in the mire of doubt, depression, and despair. Thank You for Your victory. Help us to find power to live in our victory through faith in You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Title: This Is A Test / Topic: Love
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 31; Jeremiah 32; 1 John 4
Scripture: 1 John 4:19-21
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Observation: If I claim to be a follower of Christ, I am claiming to be a person who has received Christ's nature. This verse says that the reason I can love is that I received love from God first. God not only loved me, He gave His love to me -- to be my own. If I belong to God, His nature and therefore His love are within me. The natural result of God's nature within is to love as He loves. If I don't, there is a problem -- I must not have God's nature within.
Application: This is a test. It is a test of what is within me -- within each of us. It is easy to say, "I'm a Christian." But it's not always easy to love. Sometimes it's downright impossible without God's nature within. But if my claim to love the invisible God is true, I have to show it by loving the visible people around me.
Bottom line: Just like it says, "Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Prayer: Lord, You make it so practical -- which is why it challenges me so often! Help me to love not only in intentions and words but also in motivation and in action. Help Your people to really love one another so that our testimony to the world will draw people to You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 John 4:19-21
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Observation: If I claim to be a follower of Christ, I am claiming to be a person who has received Christ's nature. This verse says that the reason I can love is that I received love from God first. God not only loved me, He gave His love to me -- to be my own. If I belong to God, His nature and therefore His love are within me. The natural result of God's nature within is to love as He loves. If I don't, there is a problem -- I must not have God's nature within.
Application: This is a test. It is a test of what is within me -- within each of us. It is easy to say, "I'm a Christian." But it's not always easy to love. Sometimes it's downright impossible without God's nature within. But if my claim to love the invisible God is true, I have to show it by loving the visible people around me.
Bottom line: Just like it says, "Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Prayer: Lord, You make it so practical -- which is why it challenges me so often! Help me to love not only in intentions and words but also in motivation and in action. Help Your people to really love one another so that our testimony to the world will draw people to You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Title: Devoted To Closeness / Topic: Intimacy
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 28; Jeremiah 29; Jeremiah 30; 1 John 3
Scripture: Jeremiah 30:21
'...who is he who will devote himself
to be close to me?'
declares the LORD.
Observation: This scripture so speaks to me! This is the deepest cry of my heart -- to be intimate with God. This requires being devoted to the purpose of closeness to God. It is my desire to live in continuous deep intimacy with my Lord.
Application: How to do it? That is another thing. My greatest obstacle to this is my own tendency toward busy-ness. I have an amazing propensity to get focused on dozens of details on scores of project in a variety of areas in my life. Even my lists have lists!
The bottom line for me is this: I have to consciously wind down my existing projects without taking on new ones, and in this process I must give increased time to the disciplines of prayer, worship, silence, solitude, study, reading, and thinking. This verse speaks of a person devoting himself to "being close" to God. Lord help me to be devoted to that.
Prayer: Yes, Lord, help me. I want to be a man of the deepest and closest connection to You. I want to know You, to hear Your voice, to experience Your passions and Your power. Help me to find the secret and quiet place to be close to You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Jeremiah 30:21
'...who is he who will devote himself
to be close to me?'
declares the LORD.
Observation: This scripture so speaks to me! This is the deepest cry of my heart -- to be intimate with God. This requires being devoted to the purpose of closeness to God. It is my desire to live in continuous deep intimacy with my Lord.
Application: How to do it? That is another thing. My greatest obstacle to this is my own tendency toward busy-ness. I have an amazing propensity to get focused on dozens of details on scores of project in a variety of areas in my life. Even my lists have lists!
The bottom line for me is this: I have to consciously wind down my existing projects without taking on new ones, and in this process I must give increased time to the disciplines of prayer, worship, silence, solitude, study, reading, and thinking. This verse speaks of a person devoting himself to "being close" to God. Lord help me to be devoted to that.
Prayer: Yes, Lord, help me. I want to be a man of the deepest and closest connection to You. I want to know You, to hear Your voice, to experience Your passions and Your power. Help me to find the secret and quiet place to be close to You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Title: Keep It Simple / Topic: Truth
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 21; Jeremiah 24; Jeremiah 27; Psalm 118; 1 John 2
Scripture: 1 John 2:24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
Observation: God deposited truth into each believer as a part of that person coming to know Him. The deposit of truth was necessary so the person could respond to God and repent of sin. According to this verse, the basic truths that each believer receives when he is first saved are something that he is to work to preserve within him. This keeps the person firmly connected to Jesus and the Father.
Application: There are many "new revelations" that people receive. Sometimes, these new ideas cause them to leave the foundational truths that brought them to God in the first place. I must guard my heart to preserve the deposit of truth that God has placed there and not let any new trend or fad push out the basic truth that saved me in the first place.
Bottom line: Remember the basic truth that saves: Jesus Christ is the only One by which we may be saved. I am saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help me to always keep Jesus and love for Him as the focal point of my spiritual life. I want to walk in simple faith in Him and avoid the complicated philosophies and nuanced imaginations of those who would effect confusion and lead people astray. Thank You that as I keep my eyes on Jesus, my heart on You, and my mind in the Word, I am safe and secure.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 John 2:24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
Observation: God deposited truth into each believer as a part of that person coming to know Him. The deposit of truth was necessary so the person could respond to God and repent of sin. According to this verse, the basic truths that each believer receives when he is first saved are something that he is to work to preserve within him. This keeps the person firmly connected to Jesus and the Father.
Application: There are many "new revelations" that people receive. Sometimes, these new ideas cause them to leave the foundational truths that brought them to God in the first place. I must guard my heart to preserve the deposit of truth that God has placed there and not let any new trend or fad push out the basic truth that saved me in the first place.
Bottom line: Remember the basic truth that saves: Jesus Christ is the only One by which we may be saved. I am saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help me to always keep Jesus and love for Him as the focal point of my spiritual life. I want to walk in simple faith in Him and avoid the complicated philosophies and nuanced imaginations of those who would effect confusion and lead people astray. Thank You that as I keep my eyes on Jesus, my heart on You, and my mind in the Word, I am safe and secure.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Title: Using People In A Good Way / Topic: Fellowship
Today's Reading: Jeremiah 48; Jeremiah 49; Psalm 67; 1 John 1
Scripture: 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Observation: Walking with Jesus automatically means we are walking with others who are also walking with Jesus. (At least it should mean that.) The benefit of this is increased effectiveness in the process of purification in our lives as a result of the interaction with those others.
Application: Embrace relationship as a part of growing in the image of Christ. I will have the sin purified out of my life faster and more completely the more I do so. Conflicts, though not pleasant, are a part of this process. It is working out these conflicts that helps raise the bad stuff within to a level of visibility that enables it to be seen, identified, and dealt with. Accountability is another key factor in this growth.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the brothers and sisters that are so instrumental in helping me get the crud out of my heart and mind. Thank You Lord to the simple joys of relationship that not only give us encouragement and comfort, but also help us to grow in purity and maturity. May we embrace it and use it as we should.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen
Scripture: 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Observation: Walking with Jesus automatically means we are walking with others who are also walking with Jesus. (At least it should mean that.) The benefit of this is increased effectiveness in the process of purification in our lives as a result of the interaction with those others.
Application: Embrace relationship as a part of growing in the image of Christ. I will have the sin purified out of my life faster and more completely the more I do so. Conflicts, though not pleasant, are a part of this process. It is working out these conflicts that helps raise the bad stuff within to a level of visibility that enables it to be seen, identified, and dealt with. Accountability is another key factor in this growth.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the brothers and sisters that are so instrumental in helping me get the crud out of my heart and mind. Thank You Lord to the simple joys of relationship that not only give us encouragement and comfort, but also help us to grow in purity and maturity. May we embrace it and use it as we should.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen
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