Today’s Reading: Exodus 33; Exodus 34; Psalm 16; Acts 9
Scripture: Psalm 16:2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing."
Observation: David gets it right here. Anything that we have that is good comes from the Lord and apart from him, we have no good thing.
Application: All the things of this world that we seek after are ultimately empty. Why do we devote so much energy to material things, to fame, to power, to pleasure? Only what the Lord brings into our lives is truly satisfying. Only those things will truly endure.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your servant David and for his clarity in bringing this truth to me. I ask you to awaken my senses to this truth so that all other things fade in comparison to you. I love you, Lord, and I am so grateful that you have called me to know you. Thank you, dear Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Friday, February 01, 2008
Title: How The Church Grows / Topic: God's Ways
Today’s Reading: Exodus 30; Exodus 31; Exodus 32; Acts 8
Scripture: Acts 8:4-6
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.
Observation: "Those who had been scattered..." What caused the scattering? The believers scattered because of a "great persecution" against the church at Jerusalem that began with the stoning of Stephen. We read that "all but the Apostles" were scattered. And because of this scattering, new ministry is birthed. Here Philip goes to Samaria and preaches. Wait a minute, who is this Philip that he should be a preacher? Isn't he one of the seven who were supposed to "wait on tables" and make sure the Grecian widows got food? Yet here he is preaching and performing miraculous signs. What gives?
Application: It struck me that because of the problem with the Grecian widows, new, fresh leadership was created. (Actually it was there before the problem surfaced but was not recognized.) And this emerging leadership released a whole new wave of ministry in the church which was not limited to the problem or area that had brought them forth in the first place. First, Stephen ministers so powerfully that he evokes a reaction from the Jewish leaders reminiscent of how they reacted to Jesus himself. Stephen's strong word of exhortation to these leaders, causes them to "gnash their teeth", rush upon him with an out-of-control scream, and stone him to death. And here we see Philip bringing salvation to a whole new region and ethnic group, the Samaritans. So we see a pattern of problems that result in new leadership, which produces new ministry and the resulting growth. It could be diagrammed like this:
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the privilege of being a part of your love-in-action here on this earth. And thank you for the way you enable us to participate in what you are doing here. I count it such an honor to be your servant. Help me to always be part of the solution and bring about your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Acts 8:4-6
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.
Observation: "Those who had been scattered..." What caused the scattering? The believers scattered because of a "great persecution" against the church at Jerusalem that began with the stoning of Stephen. We read that "all but the Apostles" were scattered. And because of this scattering, new ministry is birthed. Here Philip goes to Samaria and preaches. Wait a minute, who is this Philip that he should be a preacher? Isn't he one of the seven who were supposed to "wait on tables" and make sure the Grecian widows got food? Yet here he is preaching and performing miraculous signs. What gives?
Application: It struck me that because of the problem with the Grecian widows, new, fresh leadership was created. (Actually it was there before the problem surfaced but was not recognized.) And this emerging leadership released a whole new wave of ministry in the church which was not limited to the problem or area that had brought them forth in the first place. First, Stephen ministers so powerfully that he evokes a reaction from the Jewish leaders reminiscent of how they reacted to Jesus himself. Stephen's strong word of exhortation to these leaders, causes them to "gnash their teeth", rush upon him with an out-of-control scream, and stone him to death. And here we see Philip bringing salvation to a whole new region and ethnic group, the Samaritans. So we see a pattern of problems that result in new leadership, which produces new ministry and the resulting growth. It could be diagrammed like this:
PROBLEM -> NEW LEADERS EMERGE -> NEW MINISTRY -> GROWTHAnd guess what will come next? If you guess problems, you are right. And that will bring about the pattern we see above. This is how the church grows.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the privilege of being a part of your love-in-action here on this earth. And thank you for the way you enable us to participate in what you are doing here. I count it such an honor to be your servant. Help me to always be part of the solution and bring about your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Title: Believe, Perceive, Receive / Topic: The Heart
Today’s Reading: Exodus 28; Exodus 29; Acts 7
Scripture: Acts 7:35, 39
35 "This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush... 39 "But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
Observation: The Israelites rejected Moses. He was even verbally rebuffed with the words, "Who made you ruler and judge?" But notice that it tells us that God himself sent Moses to be their "ruler and deliverer."
Application: When people choose not to accept the good that God has provided for them, their perception of it is perverted and they cannot see it for the good that it is. They could not see Moses as their ruler and deliverer. They were only able to see him as their ruler and judge. Indeed, Moses was their judge, but first and foremost, he was their deliverer (much like Jesus is to us). Why could they not perceive the good of this? It was because of a heart problem. Verse 39 makes it clear: "in their hearts [they] turned back to Egypt." They may have been out of Egypt on the outside, but inside they were still enslaved.
Bottom line: It all goes back to the heart. If my heart is open and right before God, I can perceive correctly the good that God has for me. And once I correctly perceive, I can believe. And once I believe, I can receive. But those who set their will against God, turn their hearts away and turn the good to bad. Because they make themselves unable to correctly perceive, they cannot believe and are unable to receive.
Prayer: Lord, keep my heart right before you. I want to see you as you really are, and to see all the good that you have for me for what it is. Help me to correctly perceive that I may believe and receive all that you have for me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Acts 7:35, 39
35 "This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush... 39 "But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
Observation: The Israelites rejected Moses. He was even verbally rebuffed with the words, "Who made you ruler and judge?" But notice that it tells us that God himself sent Moses to be their "ruler and deliverer."
Application: When people choose not to accept the good that God has provided for them, their perception of it is perverted and they cannot see it for the good that it is. They could not see Moses as their ruler and deliverer. They were only able to see him as their ruler and judge. Indeed, Moses was their judge, but first and foremost, he was their deliverer (much like Jesus is to us). Why could they not perceive the good of this? It was because of a heart problem. Verse 39 makes it clear: "in their hearts [they] turned back to Egypt." They may have been out of Egypt on the outside, but inside they were still enslaved.
Bottom line: It all goes back to the heart. If my heart is open and right before God, I can perceive correctly the good that God has for me. And once I correctly perceive, I can believe. And once I believe, I can receive. But those who set their will against God, turn their hearts away and turn the good to bad. Because they make themselves unable to correctly perceive, they cannot believe and are unable to receive.
Prayer: Lord, keep my heart right before you. I want to see you as you really are, and to see all the good that you have for me for what it is. Help me to correctly perceive that I may believe and receive all that you have for me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Title: Lift Up The True Jesus / Topic: The Body Of Christ
Today’s Reading: Exodus 25; Exodus 26; Exodus 27; Acts 6
Scripture: Acts 6:7 So the word of God spread...
Observation: What was it that resulted in this growth in the church? An evangelistic outreach or media campaign? An increase in staffing or a new facility? Actually this growth was the correcting of an injustice in the church which had resulted from ethnic prejudice. By addressing this problem, which stemmed from the most basic of human foibles, the early church leaders did an early course correction. This had the effect of removing from the church a misrepresentation of what the church is to be.
Application: God is not a racist. Because racism had been manifested in the early church, it, as the Body of Christ, had been misrepresenting Christ as racist. That is, when those who claim to represent God by being a part of his body act out any behavior, good or bad, they are telling the world, "This is what God is like." So when the Church allows ethnic resentments to have a place in it, they are saying one of two things. Either "God is OK with this" or worse, "God has these tendencies himself." Ouch! So when the church corrected these prejudicial practices, they distanced themselves and God from such hurtful (and evil) ideas. This course correction resulted in outsiders seeing God as he really is and wanting to be a part of his true church.
Bottom line: We have a solemn duty to represent Christ to the world as he really is. It is so important to be seeking to rid the Church (universal) and the church (local) of anything that is not of Christ, as everything that is of human origin will corrupt the image. This, of course, means that the lives of those who claim membership in the Church must change to conform to the image and likeness and fullness of Jesus Christ. If we hold onto anything that emanates from our own sinfulness, we act out in such a way that misrepresents Christ and pushes people away. This is why a church full of people authentically in the process of true repentance and intentional transformation will have the effect of increased evangelism. Jesus said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself." When we lift up the true Jesus, rather than some distorted human caricature of him, the true beauty of his character is attractive to anyone seeking God. This is the true challenge of the church: to be so like Jesus that his life and character are unmistakable through the lives of his people.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us for misrepresenting you to the world. Assist and enable us to do better. Show us where we are missing the mark and help us to repent, making the course corrections that will put us on the path of holiness and true righteousness. May we truly lift up Jesus through our own lives in such a way that all people are drawn to your true Church.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Acts 6:7 So the word of God spread...
Observation: What was it that resulted in this growth in the church? An evangelistic outreach or media campaign? An increase in staffing or a new facility? Actually this growth was the correcting of an injustice in the church which had resulted from ethnic prejudice. By addressing this problem, which stemmed from the most basic of human foibles, the early church leaders did an early course correction. This had the effect of removing from the church a misrepresentation of what the church is to be.
Application: God is not a racist. Because racism had been manifested in the early church, it, as the Body of Christ, had been misrepresenting Christ as racist. That is, when those who claim to represent God by being a part of his body act out any behavior, good or bad, they are telling the world, "This is what God is like." So when the Church allows ethnic resentments to have a place in it, they are saying one of two things. Either "God is OK with this" or worse, "God has these tendencies himself." Ouch! So when the church corrected these prejudicial practices, they distanced themselves and God from such hurtful (and evil) ideas. This course correction resulted in outsiders seeing God as he really is and wanting to be a part of his true church.
Bottom line: We have a solemn duty to represent Christ to the world as he really is. It is so important to be seeking to rid the Church (universal) and the church (local) of anything that is not of Christ, as everything that is of human origin will corrupt the image. This, of course, means that the lives of those who claim membership in the Church must change to conform to the image and likeness and fullness of Jesus Christ. If we hold onto anything that emanates from our own sinfulness, we act out in such a way that misrepresents Christ and pushes people away. This is why a church full of people authentically in the process of true repentance and intentional transformation will have the effect of increased evangelism. Jesus said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself." When we lift up the true Jesus, rather than some distorted human caricature of him, the true beauty of his character is attractive to anyone seeking God. This is the true challenge of the church: to be so like Jesus that his life and character are unmistakable through the lives of his people.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us for misrepresenting you to the world. Assist and enable us to do better. Show us where we are missing the mark and help us to repent, making the course corrections that will put us on the path of holiness and true righteousness. May we truly lift up Jesus through our own lives in such a way that all people are drawn to your true Church.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Title: Unafraid And Unashamed / Topic: A Life Of True Faith
Today’s Reading: Exodus 23; Exodus 24; Psalm 14; Acts 5
Scripture: Acts 5:40-42
40 ...They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Observation: These were amazing men -- brave and faithful. They are flogged (which is mentioned in the text so casually -- almost as an aside) which is a serious and painful punishment, and yet they rejoice for being "counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name [of Jesus]!" Amazing! They are threatened and ordered not to speak anymore in the name of Jesus, yet the text says that they did not stop. And they continued "in the temple courts," the very place where it had gotten them into this trouble in the first place.
Application: What an encouragement and challenge this is to each of us who desire to be a faithful witness of the message of Jesus. These men endure and even rejoiced in truly painful consequences and they continued to preach despite threats and actual physical harm. This is quite convicting to me as I often find myself struggling with whether or not to share Jesus out of fear of the possibility of offending someone, or receiving someone's disapproval. These apostles demonstrate a level of passion that I so long to have. Lord, help me.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and I ask you to empower and embolden me to be unafraid and unashamed in sharing the wonderful truth of your love for people. I want to be like these brave and faithful men.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Acts 5:40-42
40 ...They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Observation: These were amazing men -- brave and faithful. They are flogged (which is mentioned in the text so casually -- almost as an aside) which is a serious and painful punishment, and yet they rejoice for being "counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name [of Jesus]!" Amazing! They are threatened and ordered not to speak anymore in the name of Jesus, yet the text says that they did not stop. And they continued "in the temple courts," the very place where it had gotten them into this trouble in the first place.
Application: What an encouragement and challenge this is to each of us who desire to be a faithful witness of the message of Jesus. These men endure and even rejoiced in truly painful consequences and they continued to preach despite threats and actual physical harm. This is quite convicting to me as I often find myself struggling with whether or not to share Jesus out of fear of the possibility of offending someone, or receiving someone's disapproval. These apostles demonstrate a level of passion that I so long to have. Lord, help me.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and I ask you to empower and embolden me to be unafraid and unashamed in sharing the wonderful truth of your love for people. I want to be like these brave and faithful men.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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