Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 16, 17; Psalms 96; John 16
Scripture: John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Observation: Jesus looks into the future and sees a certainty of trouble -- trouble for his followers. But, even though there will be trouble, Jesus also sees a certainty of provision -- the provision of peace and overcoming.
Application: Jesus is our example in overcoming. And he encourages us to "take heart" -- that is to find courage in our hearts because we have given our hearts to the Overcoming One who is also the Soon Coming One. Praise God!
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you have overcome the world and that you offer me a provision of overcoming power and peace in the midst of whatever difficulty the world will throw at me. I rejoice in your salvation and in your staying power.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Title: Where Is The Power? / Topic: Christian Walk
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 10, 11, 12; John 14
Scripture: John 14:12-14
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Observation: Amazing words! Jesus says, "you may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." He says, that "anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing... even greater things!" Amazing!
Application: There is a gap between these words and the experience of Christians today (including me). Now there may be groups of believers here or there that are truly walking in this truth as an ongoing reality but I have never really seen this truth consistently lived out. I believe what Jesus said. I just want my experience to more closely align with what Jesus said.
Prayer: Lord, give me keys to the release of miracle power. I want to move in the realm of Jesus' words and the fulfillment of his promises that we read here. I don't want to just read about these things, and study them and teach them -- I want to see them and experience them in the life of your church all around me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: John 14:12-14
12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Observation: Amazing words! Jesus says, "you may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." He says, that "anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing... even greater things!" Amazing!
Application: There is a gap between these words and the experience of Christians today (including me). Now there may be groups of believers here or there that are truly walking in this truth as an ongoing reality but I have never really seen this truth consistently lived out. I believe what Jesus said. I just want my experience to more closely align with what Jesus said.
Prayer: Lord, give me keys to the release of miracle power. I want to move in the realm of Jesus' words and the fulfillment of his promises that we read here. I don't want to just read about these things, and study them and teach them -- I want to see them and experience them in the life of your church all around me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Title: Living A Lie / Topic: False Faith
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 7, 8, 9; John 13
Scripture: Jeremiah 7:4-8
4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD! 5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.
Observation: "Trusting in deceptive words" -- that's what the Lord says to the people. How does he define these words? He gives an example: "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!" This reminds me of the chorus of a worship song. Saying (or singing) spiritual-sounding words or participating in a spiritual activity is not what God is looking for. He wants lives that reflect His character. He tells the people (that's us) that they must "change your ways and your actions" and that this will be demonstrated by honesty, and kindness, and holiness. If they will do these things, they will reflect his character and gain a standing before God. As He says in chapter 9, verse 24: "but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight."
Application: Knowing and pleasing the Lord will result in a changed life. God doesn't want only words or songs -- he wants my ways and actions to reflect His character: kindness, justice, and righteousness. If I fail to conform my life to these characteristics, then I am living a lie and trusting in "deceptive words." If I change my ways and my actions to these Godly characteristics, then God is pleased with me as He says, "for in these I delight."
Bottom Line: Live for God. If my faith doesn't translate into treating others with Godly kindness, justice, and righteousness, then my faith isn't real, as far as God is concerned.
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep it real. Show me where I am failing, or where I need work. I want to please You always.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Jeremiah 7:4-8
4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD! 5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.
Observation: "Trusting in deceptive words" -- that's what the Lord says to the people. How does he define these words? He gives an example: "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!" This reminds me of the chorus of a worship song. Saying (or singing) spiritual-sounding words or participating in a spiritual activity is not what God is looking for. He wants lives that reflect His character. He tells the people (that's us) that they must "change your ways and your actions" and that this will be demonstrated by honesty, and kindness, and holiness. If they will do these things, they will reflect his character and gain a standing before God. As He says in chapter 9, verse 24: "but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight."
Application: Knowing and pleasing the Lord will result in a changed life. God doesn't want only words or songs -- he wants my ways and actions to reflect His character: kindness, justice, and righteousness. If I fail to conform my life to these characteristics, then I am living a lie and trusting in "deceptive words." If I change my ways and my actions to these Godly characteristics, then God is pleased with me as He says, "for in these I delight."
Bottom Line: Live for God. If my faith doesn't translate into treating others with Godly kindness, justice, and righteousness, then my faith isn't real, as far as God is concerned.
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep it real. Show me where I am failing, or where I need work. I want to please You always.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Title: Deadly Partnership / Topic: Spiritual Deception
Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 5, 6; John 12
Scripture: Jeremiah 5:30-31
30 "A horrible and shocking thing
has happened in the land:
31 The prophets prophesy lies,
the priests rule by their own authority,
and my people love it this way.
But what will you do in the end?"
Observation: "Horrible!" "Shocking!" Strong language, even from the ever-expressive Jeremiah. He looks at what is happening in his nation, Israel, God's chosen people, and he is alarmed. Not only have the people turned from God but the spiritual leaders are in on it! The rejection of God's authority is top to bottom. The spiritual leaders speak, not out of God's heart, but from their own minds. And, as a result, what they offer is lies. Are the people unaware of this? No, they know what is going on. And not only are they aware, "the people love it this way!" That is, they prefer lies to the truth. This is the most disturbing of all.
Application: Itching ears. People will find teachers who say what they want to hear. Paul warned Timothy that, "the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3). So people and the spiritual leaders who serve them can enter into a hellish pact to deceive and be deceived, and to encourage one another in a kind of deadly game. Which brings us to the final phase in today's passage. "But what will you do in the end." Jeremiah warns that, while the game may work for a time, in the end, it will be shown for what it is: lies and deceit and rebellion. And the end of that kind of path is death: Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."
Prayer: Lord, keep my feet planted firmly in you and in your truth. Send to me spiritual leaders who will speak the truth, even when it hurts. And help me to listen, even when my self nature would want to reject it. I want your ways and not my own.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Jeremiah 5:30-31
30 "A horrible and shocking thing
has happened in the land:
31 The prophets prophesy lies,
the priests rule by their own authority,
and my people love it this way.
But what will you do in the end?"
Observation: "Horrible!" "Shocking!" Strong language, even from the ever-expressive Jeremiah. He looks at what is happening in his nation, Israel, God's chosen people, and he is alarmed. Not only have the people turned from God but the spiritual leaders are in on it! The rejection of God's authority is top to bottom. The spiritual leaders speak, not out of God's heart, but from their own minds. And, as a result, what they offer is lies. Are the people unaware of this? No, they know what is going on. And not only are they aware, "the people love it this way!" That is, they prefer lies to the truth. This is the most disturbing of all.
Application: Itching ears. People will find teachers who say what they want to hear. Paul warned Timothy that, "the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3). So people and the spiritual leaders who serve them can enter into a hellish pact to deceive and be deceived, and to encourage one another in a kind of deadly game. Which brings us to the final phase in today's passage. "But what will you do in the end." Jeremiah warns that, while the game may work for a time, in the end, it will be shown for what it is: lies and deceit and rebellion. And the end of that kind of path is death: Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."
Prayer: Lord, keep my feet planted firmly in you and in your truth. Send to me spiritual leaders who will speak the truth, even when it hurts. And help me to listen, even when my self nature would want to reject it. I want your ways and not my own.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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