Today’s Reading: Genesis 23; Genesis 24; Luke 9
Scripture: Luke 9:12-14
12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here."
13 He replied, "You give them something to eat."
They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd." 14 (About five thousand men were there.)
Observation: Supernatural provision. That's what I see here. Jesus took His disciples away for a little R&R but the crowds figured out where they were and went there. Jesus, instead of being bothered, spends the day ministering to the people's needs. As the day is drawing to a close, the disciples want to send the people away. But Jesus tells them, "You give them something to eat." There are thousands and thousands of people to feed. The disciples freak out. They don't have the means to feed the people. Of course, Jesus knew better. The disciples had their eyes only on themselves. Jesus had His eyes on the Father, the great Provider.
Application: There are so many needs in my community. I feel like sending the people away so often. But Jesus wants me to meet the needs. Not with my own resources, but with His. The resources of heaven are available to me. I want to learn how to use them and demonstrate the greatness of God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to learn the lesson of heavenly provision. I am so limited in my thinking. Open my mind and my eyes to see the possibilities by relying on the resources of heaven.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Title: Use It Or Lose It / Topic: Spirituality
Today’s Reading: Genesis 20; Genesis 21; Genesis 22; Luke 8
Scripture: Luke 8:8, 18
8 ...When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
18 "Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
Observation/Application: Hearing is a key to spiritual success. But hearing is much more than just having the words enter into my ears. It means having the ideas penetrate my heart. If I just let the words come into my ears without implementing the ideas and truths in my life, then I will end up being spiritually empty. Jesus tells me that my will is a key in my spiritual journey. I must intentionally and willfully apply my heart to what I am hearing. And Jesus includes a choice and a warning. Use it or lose it. If I use what I have learned, I will get more. If I fail to use it, it will be taken from me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to implement everything You have given me. I want to be all that I can with what You have blessed me with.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 8:8, 18
8 ...When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
18 "Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
Observation/Application: Hearing is a key to spiritual success. But hearing is much more than just having the words enter into my ears. It means having the ideas penetrate my heart. If I just let the words come into my ears without implementing the ideas and truths in my life, then I will end up being spiritually empty. Jesus tells me that my will is a key in my spiritual journey. I must intentionally and willfully apply my heart to what I am hearing. And Jesus includes a choice and a warning. Use it or lose it. If I use what I have learned, I will get more. If I fail to use it, it will be taken from me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to implement everything You have given me. I want to be all that I can with what You have blessed me with.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Title: Prepared Hearts / Topic: Spiritual Responsiveness
Today’s Reading: Genesis 18; Genesis 19; Psalm 3; Luke 7
Scripture: Luke 7:29-30
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Observation: Luke points out a distinction between "all the people, even the tax collectors" and "the Pharisees and experts in the law" in their response to Jesus. The first group responded with acceptance to Jesus' words and "God's way", the second "rejected God's purpose for themselves." And the reason for the difference? It was their response to John's call to be baptized. Those who accepted Jesus had first accepted John's baptism. Those who rejected Jesus had chosen not to be baptized.
Application: What this speaks to me is the truth that a person's response to small spiritual opportunities or challenges has much to do with their ability to respond to the big spiritual choices. I see it in myself and others. If a person decides not respond to smaller spiritual opportunities, such as attending church, participating in worship, or sharing in prayer, he will be less likely to respond to the bigger spiritual decisions and challenges such as surrender to Christ's will, call to ministry, and so forth.
Bottom line: Every spiritual response I make has an effect on the whole of my spiritual future. There is no decision that does not have consequences, either good or bad. So I must respond with a YES every time God puts an opportunity before me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to choose to respond with an affirmative and passionate YES every time You call. I want to prepare the my heart to submit to You to the max. Help me to carry this out.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 7:29-30
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Observation: Luke points out a distinction between "all the people, even the tax collectors" and "the Pharisees and experts in the law" in their response to Jesus. The first group responded with acceptance to Jesus' words and "God's way", the second "rejected God's purpose for themselves." And the reason for the difference? It was their response to John's call to be baptized. Those who accepted Jesus had first accepted John's baptism. Those who rejected Jesus had chosen not to be baptized.
Application: What this speaks to me is the truth that a person's response to small spiritual opportunities or challenges has much to do with their ability to respond to the big spiritual choices. I see it in myself and others. If a person decides not respond to smaller spiritual opportunities, such as attending church, participating in worship, or sharing in prayer, he will be less likely to respond to the bigger spiritual decisions and challenges such as surrender to Christ's will, call to ministry, and so forth.
Bottom line: Every spiritual response I make has an effect on the whole of my spiritual future. There is no decision that does not have consequences, either good or bad. So I must respond with a YES every time God puts an opportunity before me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to choose to respond with an affirmative and passionate YES every time You call. I want to prepare the my heart to submit to You to the max. Help me to carry this out.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Title: I Believe -- Kind Of / Topic: Faith And Doubt
Today’s Reading: Genesis 15; Genesis 16; Genesis 17; Luke 6
Scripture: Genesis 15
5 [God] took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 16
1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her."
Abram agreed to what Sarai said.
Observation: Abraham had faith. He had received the promise and he believed it and God gave him credit for that. But before long (I don't know how long) he saw that nothing was happening. And someone else made a suggestion for a shortcut -- a way to help God out. So Abraham decided that he would go that way. Maybe God couldn't do it without his help.
Application: I have received promises from God. And I have believed. And I have doubted. And I have tried to help God out. I don't want to do that any more.
Prayer: Lord, help me to learn to do what You want and only what You want. Help me to not listen to the "suggestions" of others but only to You. I want Your will in its fullness in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Genesis 15
5 [God] took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 16
1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, "The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her."
Abram agreed to what Sarai said.
Observation: Abraham had faith. He had received the promise and he believed it and God gave him credit for that. But before long (I don't know how long) he saw that nothing was happening. And someone else made a suggestion for a shortcut -- a way to help God out. So Abraham decided that he would go that way. Maybe God couldn't do it without his help.
Application: I have received promises from God. And I have believed. And I have doubted. And I have tried to help God out. I don't want to do that any more.
Prayer: Lord, help me to learn to do what You want and only what You want. Help me to not listen to the "suggestions" of others but only to You. I want Your will in its fullness in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Title: Newness Requires Newness / Topic: Change
Today’s Reading: Genesis 12; Genesis 13; Genesis 14; Luke 5
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-2; Luke 5: 37-38
Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
Luke 5:37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
Observation: Both these passages speak of change. God calls Abram to a new phase in his life. He has a destiny different from his past. He has made significant changes already, but they are nothing compared to those in his future. Even his name will be changed to reflect this fact. But to get there he has to move -- literally.
In the Luke passage, Jesus is speaking of spiritual newness comparing it to wine. To make new wine, new wineskins were a must. One could not have new wine without new wineskins.
Application: For there to be newness in our lives, we must embrace newness. As the saying goes, "nothing changes if nothing changes." So often people talk about taking it to "the next level." But to do that, we have to move, to change. Abram had to give up so much -- leaving his family and friends and taking on the hassle and risk of a move. But if he had not moved, he could never have become Abraham and entered into God's destiny for him. We have to provide a new wineskin -- that is a new context for God to pour change into our lives. It will involve sacrifice, discomfort, hassle, risk -- change is not fun. The results can be awesome, but getting there is tough. Am I willing to embrace true, significant, uncomfortable change in my life? I pray that I am.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that You know the destiny that You have for me. I don't want to miss it. Help me -- build me up so I am strong enough to accept whatever change is necessary in my life to receive the good future and blessing You have planned for me. Help me to see the things I need to give up, the things I need to leave, and the things I need to adopt in order to be fully within Your divine plan for me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Genesis 12:1-2; Luke 5: 37-38
Genesis 12:1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
Luke 5:37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
Observation: Both these passages speak of change. God calls Abram to a new phase in his life. He has a destiny different from his past. He has made significant changes already, but they are nothing compared to those in his future. Even his name will be changed to reflect this fact. But to get there he has to move -- literally.
In the Luke passage, Jesus is speaking of spiritual newness comparing it to wine. To make new wine, new wineskins were a must. One could not have new wine without new wineskins.
Application: For there to be newness in our lives, we must embrace newness. As the saying goes, "nothing changes if nothing changes." So often people talk about taking it to "the next level." But to do that, we have to move, to change. Abram had to give up so much -- leaving his family and friends and taking on the hassle and risk of a move. But if he had not moved, he could never have become Abraham and entered into God's destiny for him. We have to provide a new wineskin -- that is a new context for God to pour change into our lives. It will involve sacrifice, discomfort, hassle, risk -- change is not fun. The results can be awesome, but getting there is tough. Am I willing to embrace true, significant, uncomfortable change in my life? I pray that I am.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I know that You know the destiny that You have for me. I don't want to miss it. Help me -- build me up so I am strong enough to accept whatever change is necessary in my life to receive the good future and blessing You have planned for me. Help me to see the things I need to give up, the things I need to leave, and the things I need to adopt in order to be fully within Your divine plan for me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Title: Real Power? / Topic: Ministry
Today’s Reading: Genesis 9; Genesis 10; Genesis 11; Luke 4
Scripture: Luke 4:36-37
36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" 37 And the news about him spread...
Observation: Wow! A religious leader who can actually make something happen in the spiritual realm! Now this is a real oddity. In Jesus' day, people had become used to spiritual and religious babblers -- spiritual teachers and religious leaders who had no real power. They could talk your brain numb, but they could produce no substantive result.
Application: I think people today are just the same: Low expectations of today's spiritual leaders. That's because the condition of the "religious community" is about the same. I certainly believe it is true of the Christian community. We can talk, but I don't know too many people who are actually taking on Satan. Precious few are casting out demons, or raising the dead, or the like.
So Jesus came along and had real power and actually did real miracles. And people were astonished. But Jesus is the same today. And if we are empowered by the same Spirit that compelled Jesus and if we are led by the same Father that led Jesus, than we should be able to see achieve of the same kind of attention-getting spiritual works today.
Why don't we? Probably because we don't pray enough. Jesus constantly was in prayer contact with His Father, and He spent long, significant times in earnest prayer. In contrast, most of us shoot up bullet point prayers to God and if we were to "travail" for even an hour, we would feel as if we had accomplished something amazing.
Well I do want to accomplish something amazing. But do I want it enough to pay the price to make it happen, as Jesus did? Are you? Time will tell.
Prayer: Father, help me to develop whatever I need to develop to be willing, ready, and able to pay the price to gain the spiritual power to see miracles. Lord, it is so easy to talk about spiritual power. But, Father, the world needs those who would walk in the footsteps of Jesus and actually make it happen. May I be one of those.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 4:36-37
36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" 37 And the news about him spread...
Observation: Wow! A religious leader who can actually make something happen in the spiritual realm! Now this is a real oddity. In Jesus' day, people had become used to spiritual and religious babblers -- spiritual teachers and religious leaders who had no real power. They could talk your brain numb, but they could produce no substantive result.
Application: I think people today are just the same: Low expectations of today's spiritual leaders. That's because the condition of the "religious community" is about the same. I certainly believe it is true of the Christian community. We can talk, but I don't know too many people who are actually taking on Satan. Precious few are casting out demons, or raising the dead, or the like.
So Jesus came along and had real power and actually did real miracles. And people were astonished. But Jesus is the same today. And if we are empowered by the same Spirit that compelled Jesus and if we are led by the same Father that led Jesus, than we should be able to see achieve of the same kind of attention-getting spiritual works today.
Why don't we? Probably because we don't pray enough. Jesus constantly was in prayer contact with His Father, and He spent long, significant times in earnest prayer. In contrast, most of us shoot up bullet point prayers to God and if we were to "travail" for even an hour, we would feel as if we had accomplished something amazing.
Well I do want to accomplish something amazing. But do I want it enough to pay the price to make it happen, as Jesus did? Are you? Time will tell.
Prayer: Father, help me to develop whatever I need to develop to be willing, ready, and able to pay the price to gain the spiritual power to see miracles. Lord, it is so easy to talk about spiritual power. But, Father, the world needs those who would walk in the footsteps of Jesus and actually make it happen. May I be one of those.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Title: Hope In The Midst Of Darkness / Topic: God's Grace
Today’s Reading: Genesis 6; Genesis 7; Genesis 8; Luke 3
Scripture: Genesis 6:5-8
5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Observation: It is amazing how man can degenerate into wickedness and chaos. The fact is, it is easier to do bad things than good things. And when you get a lot of people together (like in societies, and other groupings) and everybody has the same tendencies toward evil, there is a cumulative effect. In this passage, God is so upset He wished He had not made man! But even in the middle of all this darkness, there is hope. God finds a man who He finds favor with.
Application: God is always looking for people to believe in. Those people, typically, are those who believe in God. I want to be one of the people that God believes in.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live with my eyes on You. I know Your eyes are on me. May I please You, even in the midst of evil.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Genesis 6:5-8
5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Observation: It is amazing how man can degenerate into wickedness and chaos. The fact is, it is easier to do bad things than good things. And when you get a lot of people together (like in societies, and other groupings) and everybody has the same tendencies toward evil, there is a cumulative effect. In this passage, God is so upset He wished He had not made man! But even in the middle of all this darkness, there is hope. God finds a man who He finds favor with.
Application: God is always looking for people to believe in. Those people, typically, are those who believe in God. I want to be one of the people that God believes in.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live with my eyes on You. I know Your eyes are on me. May I please You, even in the midst of evil.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Title: Deadly Pride / Topic: Responses
Today’s Reading: Genesis 3; Genesis 4; Genesis 5; Luke 2
Scripture: Genesis 4:5 ...on Cain and his offering [God] did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Observation: Cain's offering (and Cain himself) is not well received by God. You could say it (and he) was rejected. And Cain has a negative and severe emotional reaction.
What struck me about this is that of all the emotional responses that Cain could have had, he allowed himself to indulge in anger, self-pity and resentment. Cain has anger towards God, pity for himself, and resentment toward his brother. The eventual outcome of all this was the world's first premeditated murder and coverup. And Cain's callousness and self-centeredness is further evidenced by his subsequent lack of remorse and worry about himself and his own future. (He doesn't seem to worry about the fact that he deprived his brother of a future.)
Application: Pride is the root of Cain's problems. Pride is the elevation of self-thought and focus about how everything affects me. Other possible (and I would suggest, healthier) responses to rejection by God might be sadness, grief, and seeking to know the "why" -- that is, what was wrong (if I didn't already know it), and what I could do to fix it.
(By the way, I think that Cain knew full well what was wrong, given the conversation between Cain and God in verse 6. With the phrase, "If you do what is right," God seems to be reminding him of a simple remedy that Cain already knows.)
Bottom line: Humility is such an important key to healthy relationships with other people, and more importantly, with God. Paul gives us good advice in Romans 12:3. He says "...to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly..."
Prayer: Lord, help me to have a healthy self-image. Not to think more highly of myself than I ought. And not to think less highly of myself than I ought. Help me to place the interests of others above my own, and to keep You in the highest place in my life. You are my Lord, and my God. May I always submit joyfully to Your will.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Genesis 4:5 ...on Cain and his offering [God] did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Observation: Cain's offering (and Cain himself) is not well received by God. You could say it (and he) was rejected. And Cain has a negative and severe emotional reaction.
What struck me about this is that of all the emotional responses that Cain could have had, he allowed himself to indulge in anger, self-pity and resentment. Cain has anger towards God, pity for himself, and resentment toward his brother. The eventual outcome of all this was the world's first premeditated murder and coverup. And Cain's callousness and self-centeredness is further evidenced by his subsequent lack of remorse and worry about himself and his own future. (He doesn't seem to worry about the fact that he deprived his brother of a future.)
Application: Pride is the root of Cain's problems. Pride is the elevation of self-thought and focus about how everything affects me. Other possible (and I would suggest, healthier) responses to rejection by God might be sadness, grief, and seeking to know the "why" -- that is, what was wrong (if I didn't already know it), and what I could do to fix it.
(By the way, I think that Cain knew full well what was wrong, given the conversation between Cain and God in verse 6. With the phrase, "If you do what is right," God seems to be reminding him of a simple remedy that Cain already knows.)
Bottom line: Humility is such an important key to healthy relationships with other people, and more importantly, with God. Paul gives us good advice in Romans 12:3. He says "...to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly..."
Prayer: Lord, help me to have a healthy self-image. Not to think more highly of myself than I ought. And not to think less highly of myself than I ought. Help me to place the interests of others above my own, and to keep You in the highest place in my life. You are my Lord, and my God. May I always submit joyfully to Your will.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Title: In The Beginning / Topic: Foundations
Happy New Year!
Today’s Reading: Genesis 1; Genesis 2; Luke 1
Scripture: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God...
Observation: Everything starts with God.
Application: That's true in the creation of the universe, and also true in life, if we understand it rightly. Today is the beginning of a new year -- and -- "In the beginning God." As I got up this morning, I started by going right to my knees to come before the Lord and offer Him myself and my day. To ask Him for His guidance and blessing and empowering to make this day, and this year, one of the exercise of His spiritual power in and through my life. Everything starts with God, if we understand it rightly.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, I thank You for Your gracious and tender mercies that You renew every morning. I thank You that You are the great "I AM" -- every day present and living powerfully in the immediacy of the now. I ask that You would bless this day and this new year with a remarkable sense of Your anointing. I want Your stamp on and in and through my life. I want to know You, to be known by You, and to help others to know You too. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done in and through my life as it is in Heaven. May I fulfill all the divine potential that You have ascribed for me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Title: King And Judge / Topic: Jesus' Return
Today’s Reading: Revelation 19; Revelation 20; Revelation 21; Revelation 22
Scripture: Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done...
Observation: Jesus is coming soon. What I notice about this verse is the phrase, "My reward is with me..." Jesus comes as Conquering King and Judge. There is much that will happen at this time. Many will be overjoyed to see the Lord. Others will be terrified.
Application: It's a simple message to end the year. Jesus is coming soon and He's bringing goodies. Live right.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Yourself and the rewards that come from serving You. What a privilege it is to know You, Lord. Thank You for loving and choosing me. Help me to live for You and look forward to Your coming.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done...
Observation: Jesus is coming soon. What I notice about this verse is the phrase, "My reward is with me..." Jesus comes as Conquering King and Judge. There is much that will happen at this time. Many will be overjoyed to see the Lord. Others will be terrified.
Application: It's a simple message to end the year. Jesus is coming soon and He's bringing goodies. Live right.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Yourself and the rewards that come from serving You. What a privilege it is to know You, Lord. Thank You for loving and choosing me. Help me to live for You and look forward to Your coming.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Title: Horrible Greatness / Topic: God's Nature
Today’s Reading: Revelation 15; Revelation 16; Revelation 17; Revelation 18
Scripture: Revelation 15:1, 3
1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues -- last, because with them God's wrath is completed... 3 [they] sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:
"Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages..."
Observation:
These things don't seem to go together and yet they do. The Lord, whose deeds are "great and marvelous" and whose ways are "just and true" will unleash terrible plagues which express His wrath against evil humanity.
Application: I tend to emphasize the love and grace aspects of God's nature so these ideas of plagues and wrath seem strange to me. But the truth is that without wrath and punishment for the wicked, there can be no love and grace. Without a true hatred for evil, good has no chance to flourish. I was speaking with a young friend yesterday and discussing how much easier it is to do bad things than good things. (We were talking about personal responsibility and taking care of ourselves and others.) If there were no consequences for bad behavior, our sin nature would naturally gravitate in that direction. And the results for our world would be devastating.
On the global scale, if there were no punishment for sins, then the wicked would flourish and right and good would suffer. One of the ways God shows His mercy to those who love Him and do right is to show no mercy to their enemies.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for justice which flows from Your righteous nature. Help Your people to love truth and justice and to work for it always. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Revelation 15:1, 3
1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues -- last, because with them God's wrath is completed... 3 [they] sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:
"Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages..."
Observation:
Plagues and wrath.
Great and marvelous.
Just and true.
Great and marvelous.
Just and true.
These things don't seem to go together and yet they do. The Lord, whose deeds are "great and marvelous" and whose ways are "just and true" will unleash terrible plagues which express His wrath against evil humanity.
Application: I tend to emphasize the love and grace aspects of God's nature so these ideas of plagues and wrath seem strange to me. But the truth is that without wrath and punishment for the wicked, there can be no love and grace. Without a true hatred for evil, good has no chance to flourish. I was speaking with a young friend yesterday and discussing how much easier it is to do bad things than good things. (We were talking about personal responsibility and taking care of ourselves and others.) If there were no consequences for bad behavior, our sin nature would naturally gravitate in that direction. And the results for our world would be devastating.
On the global scale, if there were no punishment for sins, then the wicked would flourish and right and good would suffer. One of the ways God shows His mercy to those who love Him and do right is to show no mercy to their enemies.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for justice which flows from Your righteous nature. Help Your people to love truth and justice and to work for it always. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Title: Ultimate Harvest / Topic: Last Days
Today’s Reading: Revelation 10; Revelation 11; Revelation 12; Revelation 13; Revelation 14
Scripture: Revelation 14:14-20
14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia [That is, about 180 miles].
Observation: The images detailed in Revelation 10-14 speak of frightening events which are yet to come. Probably soon. They center around Jerusalem and are the culmination of the ages-old conflict between good and evil. As I understand the reading, good is represented by angels, the two witnesses, the woman and her child, and the Lamb, while evil is represented by the dragon, the fallen stars, and the two beasts. To me it is clear that these events involve the nation of Israel and attacks against them. It seems the whole world is arrayed in opposition to them. The scripture above spoke to me that there is coming a day of ultimate harvest -- a day when all things will be made right -- a day of final justice, when "what goes around comes around" is fully realized. And it is a bloody and fearful day: 180 miles of blood. God takes His holy vengeance upon His enemies, those who resisted and fought against Him and used their power to hurt others. Also included are all those who simply went along with them.
Application: The message to me is that I must take a stand with God always. It will not be easy and ultimate will probably cost me my life. But to not do so will result in becoming God's enemy and the object of His wrath. I want to be an object of His grace and mercy.
Prayer: Lord, have mercy upon me a sinner. Strengthen me so that I may always stand with You and for You, even in the face of mighty opposition. Lord, bring many people to You -- use me in making this happen.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Revelation 14:14-20
14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia [That is, about 180 miles].
Observation: The images detailed in Revelation 10-14 speak of frightening events which are yet to come. Probably soon. They center around Jerusalem and are the culmination of the ages-old conflict between good and evil. As I understand the reading, good is represented by angels, the two witnesses, the woman and her child, and the Lamb, while evil is represented by the dragon, the fallen stars, and the two beasts. To me it is clear that these events involve the nation of Israel and attacks against them. It seems the whole world is arrayed in opposition to them. The scripture above spoke to me that there is coming a day of ultimate harvest -- a day when all things will be made right -- a day of final justice, when "what goes around comes around" is fully realized. And it is a bloody and fearful day: 180 miles of blood. God takes His holy vengeance upon His enemies, those who resisted and fought against Him and used their power to hurt others. Also included are all those who simply went along with them.
Application: The message to me is that I must take a stand with God always. It will not be easy and ultimate will probably cost me my life. But to not do so will result in becoming God's enemy and the object of His wrath. I want to be an object of His grace and mercy.
Prayer: Lord, have mercy upon me a sinner. Strengthen me so that I may always stand with You and for You, even in the face of mighty opposition. Lord, bring many people to You -- use me in making this happen.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Title: Powerful Fear / Topic: God's Judgment
Today’s Reading: Revelation 5; Revelation 6; Revelation 7; Revelation 8; Revelation 9
Scripture: Revelation 6:15-17
15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
Observation: This follows an intense, catastrophic earthquake that displaces islands and results in a blocking of sun and stars. The reaction of the powerful people of the world is to cower in fear. Prior to this, they had wielded great political power and influence, but when the judgment of God falls, their power amounts to nothing and they can do nothing but hide in fear. They even acknowledge that it is God who is afflicting them.
Application: There is coming a day when the power of God will supplant all the power of man. It is in that day that those who have trusted in the Lord will be vindicated and rewarded. Today, it may seem that those who put God first are fools are are missing out on the benefits that this world has to offer. But the reality is that in the end, putting God first is the only thing that will result in true and lasting benefits.
Bottom line: Keep putting God first. Keep your eyes on the ultimate and not on the immediate.
Prayer: I ask You, Father, to help Your people get and maintain an eternal perspective. It is so easy to fall prey to the here and now and to miss the reality of eternity. Lord, help us to pay the price of serving You today so that we may receive our reward with You in eternity. I thank You that You are smarter than the smartest human and that Your plans and strategies will stand and will prevail. May I be a part of it.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Revelation 6:15-17
15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
Observation: This follows an intense, catastrophic earthquake that displaces islands and results in a blocking of sun and stars. The reaction of the powerful people of the world is to cower in fear. Prior to this, they had wielded great political power and influence, but when the judgment of God falls, their power amounts to nothing and they can do nothing but hide in fear. They even acknowledge that it is God who is afflicting them.
Application: There is coming a day when the power of God will supplant all the power of man. It is in that day that those who have trusted in the Lord will be vindicated and rewarded. Today, it may seem that those who put God first are fools are are missing out on the benefits that this world has to offer. But the reality is that in the end, putting God first is the only thing that will result in true and lasting benefits.
Bottom line: Keep putting God first. Keep your eyes on the ultimate and not on the immediate.
Prayer: I ask You, Father, to help Your people get and maintain an eternal perspective. It is so easy to fall prey to the here and now and to miss the reality of eternity. Lord, help us to pay the price of serving You today so that we may receive our reward with You in eternity. I thank You that You are smarter than the smartest human and that Your plans and strategies will stand and will prevail. May I be a part of it.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Title: The Blessings / Topic: Revelation
Today’s Reading: Revelation 1; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 4
Scripture: Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Observation: Two blessings are pronounced here in verse three. First a blessing for the simple act of reading "this prophecy," that is, the book of Revelation. The second blessing is for "those who hear it and take [it] to heart." And there is a final word that is both a motivation and a warning: "the time is near."
Application: Well, if the time was near in John's day, it is much nearer now. So the message is to get the blessings by reading Revelation, hearing it (I take this to mean letting the message penetrate my heart and mind), and taking it to heart (which means applying the message by heeding the warnings and following the instructions given).
Bottom line: Read it, hear it, do it!
Prayer: Lord, I am thankful for this message. I ask that You give me a greater desire to abide in the word and a greater ability to focus without distraction upon it. Help me to get the message into my mind and heart and life in such a way that I receive the full benefits that come from Your word. I look forward to Your appearing.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Observation: Two blessings are pronounced here in verse three. First a blessing for the simple act of reading "this prophecy," that is, the book of Revelation. The second blessing is for "those who hear it and take [it] to heart." And there is a final word that is both a motivation and a warning: "the time is near."
Application: Well, if the time was near in John's day, it is much nearer now. So the message is to get the blessings by reading Revelation, hearing it (I take this to mean letting the message penetrate my heart and mind), and taking it to heart (which means applying the message by heeding the warnings and following the instructions given).
Bottom line: Read it, hear it, do it!
Prayer: Lord, I am thankful for this message. I ask that You give me a greater desire to abide in the word and a greater ability to focus without distraction upon it. Help me to get the message into my mind and heart and life in such a way that I receive the full benefits that come from Your word. I look forward to Your appearing.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Title: Faithful God / Topic: God's Character
Today’s Reading: Psalm 117
Scripture: Psalm 117:1-2
1 Praise the LORD, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.
Observation: The urging to praise and extol the Lord are to all nations and all peoples. And there is a reason given: His love is great toward us and His character of everlasting faithfulness.
Application: While in our day it may seem that few nations hold God in high regard, there is coming a day when all nations shall answer the call to worship Him. That day is coming soon, I believe. And those of us who know Him have so much to be thankful for including His faithfulness. Let's stay faithful to Him.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You are bringing all things together for a culmination of history as we know it. Help us to have faith in You and remain in that place of seeking and working for purity and growth and passion for You. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 117:1-2
1 Praise the LORD, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.
Observation: The urging to praise and extol the Lord are to all nations and all peoples. And there is a reason given: His love is great toward us and His character of everlasting faithfulness.
Application: While in our day it may seem that few nations hold God in high regard, there is coming a day when all nations shall answer the call to worship Him. That day is coming soon, I believe. And those of us who know Him have so much to be thankful for including His faithfulness. Let's stay faithful to Him.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You are bringing all things together for a culmination of history as we know it. Help us to have faith in You and remain in that place of seeking and working for purity and growth and passion for You. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Title: The Great Defender / Topic: Intercession
Merry Christmas To All!
Today’s Reading: 1 John 1; 1 John 2; 1 John 3; 1 John 4; 1 John 5
Scripture: 1 John 2:1-2
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Observation: John is spiritual and practical. "I write this to you so that you will not sin." That's spiritual. The good spiritual leader desires to lead his people in pure sin-free living. "But if anybody does sin..." That's practical. No matter how hard we may strive for perfection, we will never be totally free of sin. So John gives us the good news about our heavenly Defender, "Jesus Christ, the Righteous One" who is speaking "to the father in our defense."
Application: Hallelujah! This is truly good news. Our Savior is at the right hand of God and He is speaking on our behalf, in our defense. What great comfort for me and for all those who trust in the Lord for our salvation and our very future.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the powerful defense you provide on my behalf. I do pray that You would strengthen me and all of Your people to lead lives of purity and holiness. But I am thankful that Jesus is there interceding for me. May I walk worthy of this great Redeemer.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Title: Thank You, Lord / Topic: Grace
Today’s Reading: John 19; John 20; John 21
#1 Scripture: John 19:1-3
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
#1 Observation/Application/Prayer
It is Christmas eve as I write this. We just got done with six of my grandkids opening a few presents around the tree. Against this backdrop, it was a shock to read the opening verses to chapter 19 with Jesus being beaten. I just am so thankful that Jesus endured so we could have hope and salvation and joy. "Thank You, Lord."
#2 Scripture: John 20:24-31
24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Observation: I love the fact that Jesus came a second time specifically for Thomas, the doubter. Thomas was a particularly negative guy, and it seems to me that it would be easy to kind of ignore his habitual negativity. (I'm sure the rest of the disciples did this from time to time.) But Jesus makes a special trip just for Thomas.
Application: This gives me hope. I feel that I have let the Lord down so many times that He might just give up on me. But when I read about how He did this for Thomas, I am comforted and encouraged.
Prayer: Thank You , Lord that You are so loving so as to reach out to us even when we don't deserve it. (Of course we never actually deserve Your mercy.) Thank You for Your gentleness and kindness that draws us to You. May I always be a recipient of Your grace.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
btw: Merry Christmas, everybody!
#1 Scripture: John 19:1-3
1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.
#1 Observation/Application/Prayer
It is Christmas eve as I write this. We just got done with six of my grandkids opening a few presents around the tree. Against this backdrop, it was a shock to read the opening verses to chapter 19 with Jesus being beaten. I just am so thankful that Jesus endured so we could have hope and salvation and joy. "Thank You, Lord."
#2 Scripture: John 20:24-31
24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Observation: I love the fact that Jesus came a second time specifically for Thomas, the doubter. Thomas was a particularly negative guy, and it seems to me that it would be easy to kind of ignore his habitual negativity. (I'm sure the rest of the disciples did this from time to time.) But Jesus makes a special trip just for Thomas.
Application: This gives me hope. I feel that I have let the Lord down so many times that He might just give up on me. But when I read about how He did this for Thomas, I am comforted and encouraged.
Prayer: Thank You , Lord that You are so loving so as to reach out to us even when we don't deserve it. (Of course we never actually deserve Your mercy.) Thank You for Your gentleness and kindness that draws us to You. May I always be a recipient of Your grace.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
btw: Merry Christmas, everybody!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Title: Stand By For Cutting / Topic: God's Activity
Today’s Reading: John 15; John 16; John 17; John 18
Scripture: John 15:1-4
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
Observation: Jesus is using the metaphor of the vine and the branches. He is the vine, we are the branches, the Father is the gardener. There are two kinds of branches, fruitful and unfruitful. And each kind gets its own kind of cutting.
Application: If you bear no fruit, you get cut off. If you bear fruit, you get pruned. So stand by for cutting. The objective is fruit. The fruit is the result of God's activity in our lives. So it is our job to stay plugged in to the vine, that is, Jesus. Let God have His way in us and let His life flow through us and fruit will be the result.
Prayer: Lord, I want fruit in my life. Help me to stay in the life flow of Your kingdom. Help me to let Jesus flow through my life. And may I be the kind of branch that gets pruned because I bear fruit.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: John 15:1-4
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
Observation: Jesus is using the metaphor of the vine and the branches. He is the vine, we are the branches, the Father is the gardener. There are two kinds of branches, fruitful and unfruitful. And each kind gets its own kind of cutting.
Application: If you bear no fruit, you get cut off. If you bear fruit, you get pruned. So stand by for cutting. The objective is fruit. The fruit is the result of God's activity in our lives. So it is our job to stay plugged in to the vine, that is, Jesus. Let God have His way in us and let His life flow through us and fruit will be the result.
Prayer: Lord, I want fruit in my life. Help me to stay in the life flow of Your kingdom. Help me to let Jesus flow through my life. And may I be the kind of branch that gets pruned because I bear fruit.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Title: Follow The Leader / Topic: Serving
Today’s Reading: John 12; John 13; John 14
Scripture: John 13:12-17
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Observation: I just love this story. Jesus gives the moral of the story here.
Application: It's all about serving. Jesus set the example by serving in a very basic and practical way. This example is something that we are to follow. Jesus said we would be blessed if we "do them." Let's do these things.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be like Jesus. He lived a life of love and showed us how to live. Help me to follow well.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: John 13:12-17
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Observation: I just love this story. Jesus gives the moral of the story here.
Application: It's all about serving. Jesus set the example by serving in a very basic and practical way. This example is something that we are to follow. Jesus said we would be blessed if we "do them." Let's do these things.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be like Jesus. He lived a life of love and showed us how to live. Help me to follow well.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Title: The Life That Displays God / Topic: Dependence On God
Today’s Reading: John 9; John 10; John 11
Scripture: John 9:1-3
1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life..."
Observation: First, this always strikes me as one of the most stupid questions in the Bible: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" How could the disciples think that the man's blindness could have been caused by his own sin, since he was born blind. That means he would have had to have sinned in the womb! I'm surprised that Jesus didn't crack up when he heard it.
Instead Jesus answers their question. What I noticed for the first time is that I have always made an assumption that may not be correct. I have understood Jesus' words, "this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life," to mean that the man was born blind to give an opportunity for a great healing. But could it mean something else? I think so. It seems that a blind person (or any handicapped person) has more limitations that require a certain dependency on others, and that because of that, the blind person could have a greater faith and reliance on God which would necessarily mean that God would demonstrate His faithfulness and grace to a greater degree in this blind person's life.
This makes much more sense to me because I have always felt that it was kind of cruel to the blind man that he had to suffer for so many years just to be a prop in one of Jesus' public relations events. That may be overstating it but the essence is true. (By the way, with my interpretation, the eventual miracle was serendipitous.)
Application: Dependence on God, whether caused of a person's disability or caused of a person's will and decision, magnifies the reality of God's work in a person's life. The more I rely on God, and the less I rely on myself, the greater God's works can be manifested through my life. This is where great competence or resource can, ironically, be a handicap. (Remember that Jesus said it would be near impossible for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.)
Bottom line: I must humble myself and strive to depend on God, not on my own abilities and resources.
Prayer: Father, thank You that You desire to show Your amazing works through the most ordinary of people. Thank You that Your strength is made perfect in weakness. Help me to see and seize opportunities to let You do Your will and work through me. May I be growing in this every day.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: John 9:1-3
1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life..."
Observation: First, this always strikes me as one of the most stupid questions in the Bible: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" How could the disciples think that the man's blindness could have been caused by his own sin, since he was born blind. That means he would have had to have sinned in the womb! I'm surprised that Jesus didn't crack up when he heard it.
Instead Jesus answers their question. What I noticed for the first time is that I have always made an assumption that may not be correct. I have understood Jesus' words, "this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life," to mean that the man was born blind to give an opportunity for a great healing. But could it mean something else? I think so. It seems that a blind person (or any handicapped person) has more limitations that require a certain dependency on others, and that because of that, the blind person could have a greater faith and reliance on God which would necessarily mean that God would demonstrate His faithfulness and grace to a greater degree in this blind person's life.
This makes much more sense to me because I have always felt that it was kind of cruel to the blind man that he had to suffer for so many years just to be a prop in one of Jesus' public relations events. That may be overstating it but the essence is true. (By the way, with my interpretation, the eventual miracle was serendipitous.)
Application: Dependence on God, whether caused of a person's disability or caused of a person's will and decision, magnifies the reality of God's work in a person's life. The more I rely on God, and the less I rely on myself, the greater God's works can be manifested through my life. This is where great competence or resource can, ironically, be a handicap. (Remember that Jesus said it would be near impossible for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.)
Bottom line: I must humble myself and strive to depend on God, not on my own abilities and resources.
Prayer: Father, thank You that You desire to show Your amazing works through the most ordinary of people. Thank You that Your strength is made perfect in weakness. Help me to see and seize opportunities to let You do Your will and work through me. May I be growing in this every day.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Title: Shortcuts & Substitutes / Topic: Spiritual Intimacy With God
Today’s Reading: John 7; John 8
Scripture: John 7:14-15
14 Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15 The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
Observation: The people's response to hearing Jesus teach is telling. "How did this man get such learning without having studied?" In other words, they believed that the only source of learning was their teaching. And because Jesus had not gone through their course of study, they couldn't figure out how He could have the knowledge base or wisdom to teach as He did. Even though they were religious, they were humanistic. They thought that apart from their own system, there was nothing. They, in their study of God, forgot about God.
Application: It is possible to be very committed to God and to the things of God and to miss God. It is possible to be very involved in the pursuit of God and to miss God. How is this possible? I think it is because the authentic pursuit of God is hard work. It is not at all easy. So, we create shortcuts and substitutes for connecting with God. We make rules and lists and such.
For example, daily communing with God is the desired goal, but it is hard to measure and even harder to do, so we substitute reading the Bible and a designated number of minutes for praying. Then, if we read the required Bible passages, and give the necessary minutes on our knees, we check it off our list and our "time with God" is done. Never mind if we might have been distracted by stray thoughts or too sleepy to really connect with God -- we did the time! So we are OK. Meanwhile, God wanted to just have us quiet our hearts before Him and listen to His still small voice. We have totally missed God but we are OK with it because we fulfilled the substitute ritual that we created.
Bottom line: For me it's this: I must strive to stay fresh and honest with God. I must vary my spiritual practice. I must worship. I must be silent. I must kneel. I must lay prostrate. I must stand and lift my hands. I must work to bread any routine and habit that would substitute itself in my life for real living relationship with God. And I must be honest with my heart and ask if indeed, I connected with God. And I must clear more time to wait until the connection is real and clear.
Prayer: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. I fall so short of this that I am journaling about today. I do desire, in my heart of hearts, to know you intimately and passionately. But I struggle with busy-ness and distractions that I inflict upon myself. Help me to follow the path of simplifying my life and clearing time and space for You. I say that You are the most important Person in my life. Help me to live that out every day.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: John 7:14-15
14 Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15 The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
Observation: The people's response to hearing Jesus teach is telling. "How did this man get such learning without having studied?" In other words, they believed that the only source of learning was their teaching. And because Jesus had not gone through their course of study, they couldn't figure out how He could have the knowledge base or wisdom to teach as He did. Even though they were religious, they were humanistic. They thought that apart from their own system, there was nothing. They, in their study of God, forgot about God.
Application: It is possible to be very committed to God and to the things of God and to miss God. It is possible to be very involved in the pursuit of God and to miss God. How is this possible? I think it is because the authentic pursuit of God is hard work. It is not at all easy. So, we create shortcuts and substitutes for connecting with God. We make rules and lists and such.
For example, daily communing with God is the desired goal, but it is hard to measure and even harder to do, so we substitute reading the Bible and a designated number of minutes for praying. Then, if we read the required Bible passages, and give the necessary minutes on our knees, we check it off our list and our "time with God" is done. Never mind if we might have been distracted by stray thoughts or too sleepy to really connect with God -- we did the time! So we are OK. Meanwhile, God wanted to just have us quiet our hearts before Him and listen to His still small voice. We have totally missed God but we are OK with it because we fulfilled the substitute ritual that we created.
Bottom line: For me it's this: I must strive to stay fresh and honest with God. I must vary my spiritual practice. I must worship. I must be silent. I must kneel. I must lay prostrate. I must stand and lift my hands. I must work to bread any routine and habit that would substitute itself in my life for real living relationship with God. And I must be honest with my heart and ask if indeed, I connected with God. And I must clear more time to wait until the connection is real and clear.
Prayer: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. I fall so short of this that I am journaling about today. I do desire, in my heart of hearts, to know you intimately and passionately. But I struggle with busy-ness and distractions that I inflict upon myself. Help me to follow the path of simplifying my life and clearing time and space for You. I say that You are the most important Person in my life. Help me to live that out every day.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Title: The Swamp Of Religiosity / Topic: Legalism
Today’s Reading: John 5; John 6
Scripture: John 5:5, 8-10
5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years...
8 Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."
Observation: A paralyzed man has just been healed and is walking for the first time in thirty-eight years! Imagine the excitement those around him must have felt. Wouldn't you think that everyone would hug him and celebrate with him? But that is not what happens. The first thing that "The Religious" people do is to rebuke him! This is so typical of "The Religious" -- they never have found a celebration they couldn't spoil. And this is no exception. Instead of rejoicing over a great miracle (obviously God was involved here), they pick on a very minor infraction (which is not truly an infraction at all) of their interpretation of the sabbath rules.
Application: "The Religious" are people with a kind of self-assigned legalism that masquerades as spirituality but is not anything of the kind. These people do not know God or His ways. All they know is a list of rules that they delight in imposing on others to validate their own worth. What is the point of all this?
The point: Whenever you find yourself getting picky about some religious or legalistic trivialities, watch out. You might be getting stuck in the kind of religious swamp that sucks the true joy and love of God right out of a person. If you have no joy in Jesus, ask God to show you why. The Bible tells us "the joy of the Lord is our strength."
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that Jesus was not religious. He was filled with joy and love and purpose which drove the religious people crazy. Help Your people to be infected with the same kind of positive stuff. Keep us out of religiosity.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: John 5:5, 8-10
5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years...
8 Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat."
Observation: A paralyzed man has just been healed and is walking for the first time in thirty-eight years! Imagine the excitement those around him must have felt. Wouldn't you think that everyone would hug him and celebrate with him? But that is not what happens. The first thing that "The Religious" people do is to rebuke him! This is so typical of "The Religious" -- they never have found a celebration they couldn't spoil. And this is no exception. Instead of rejoicing over a great miracle (obviously God was involved here), they pick on a very minor infraction (which is not truly an infraction at all) of their interpretation of the sabbath rules.
Application: "The Religious" are people with a kind of self-assigned legalism that masquerades as spirituality but is not anything of the kind. These people do not know God or His ways. All they know is a list of rules that they delight in imposing on others to validate their own worth. What is the point of all this?
The point: Whenever you find yourself getting picky about some religious or legalistic trivialities, watch out. You might be getting stuck in the kind of religious swamp that sucks the true joy and love of God right out of a person. If you have no joy in Jesus, ask God to show you why. The Bible tells us "the joy of the Lord is our strength."
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that Jesus was not religious. He was filled with joy and love and purpose which drove the religious people crazy. Help Your people to be infected with the same kind of positive stuff. Keep us out of religiosity.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Title: Miracle Wine / Topic: God's Priorities
Today’s Reading: John 2; John 3; John 4
Scripture: John 2:7-11
7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
Observation: I love the fact that Jesus' first miracle was to change water into wine! And not just any wine -- I mean to change water even into cheap wine would be amazing -- but Jesus made great wine! The maitre'd judged it the best.
Application: What this says about God is that He is all about blessing people and their lives and relationships. In Jesus' day, weddings were a big deal and wine was a part of every social occasion. (This is still the case in many communities in our world today.) Jesus made the water into wine to bless those who were there to celebrate the joyous occasion of this wedding and all it represented for that community.
Bottom line: We serve a loving and positive God who love people and loves to bless them. We should reflect God's love for people by being a great blessing to them whenever we are around people. God wanted people to be happy.
Prayer: I thank You that You are a positive God. Thank You for Your great love for people and Your desire to bless us. Help Your people to portray Your sweetness and compassion in the way we relate to others. May we be kind and positive and draw others to You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: John 2:7-11
7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
Observation: I love the fact that Jesus' first miracle was to change water into wine! And not just any wine -- I mean to change water even into cheap wine would be amazing -- but Jesus made great wine! The maitre'd judged it the best.
Application: What this says about God is that He is all about blessing people and their lives and relationships. In Jesus' day, weddings were a big deal and wine was a part of every social occasion. (This is still the case in many communities in our world today.) Jesus made the water into wine to bless those who were there to celebrate the joyous occasion of this wedding and all it represented for that community.
Bottom line: We serve a loving and positive God who love people and loves to bless them. We should reflect God's love for people by being a great blessing to them whenever we are around people. God wanted people to be happy.
Prayer: I thank You that You are a positive God. Thank You for Your great love for people and Your desire to bless us. Help Your people to portray Your sweetness and compassion in the way we relate to others. May we be kind and positive and draw others to You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Title: Great Gifts / Topic: God's Grace
Today’s Reading: 2 Peter 1; 2 Peter 2; 2 Peter 3; John 1
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-4
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Observation: What a wonderful God we serve! Here, Peter tells us that we have been given great gifts. Gifts that we were given freely and which guarantee that we have "everything we need for life and godliness." Included are "very great and precious promises" to enable us to "participate in [God's] divine nature and escape the corruption in the world..."
Application: It is so important to keep these things in mind. I have a tendency to sometimes get focused on what I don't have and I can forget the fantastic blessings that I do have. I can actually forget that I have been given everything I need for life and Godliness and I can forget the "great and precious promises." That's one reason I need to stay in the word -- to remind myself of God's great blessings to me.
Bottom line: We've been given so much. Remember the gifts of God and live a life of thanksgiving and joy -- a life worthy of the great God we have the privilege of serving.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord for Your great gifts. Help me to walk in full awareness of what You have given me. And help me make full proof of the gifts that You have placed in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-4
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Observation: What a wonderful God we serve! Here, Peter tells us that we have been given great gifts. Gifts that we were given freely and which guarantee that we have "everything we need for life and godliness." Included are "very great and precious promises" to enable us to "participate in [God's] divine nature and escape the corruption in the world..."
Application: It is so important to keep these things in mind. I have a tendency to sometimes get focused on what I don't have and I can forget the fantastic blessings that I do have. I can actually forget that I have been given everything I need for life and Godliness and I can forget the "great and precious promises." That's one reason I need to stay in the word -- to remind myself of God's great blessings to me.
Bottom line: We've been given so much. Remember the gifts of God and live a life of thanksgiving and joy -- a life worthy of the great God we have the privilege of serving.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord for Your great gifts. Help me to walk in full awareness of what You have given me. And help me make full proof of the gifts that You have placed in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Title: Focus / Topic: Spiritual Disciplines
Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2; 1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter 5
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Observation/Application: Prayer is a discipline that requires focus. Even the reading and study of the Bible requires a similar focus. This encouragement by Peter reminds me of the practical aspects of keeping a clear mind: regular sleep, eating, exercise and other basic health habits help keep our minds sharp so we can give ourselves without distraction to spiritual disciplines like reading and prayer.
Prayer: Lord, help me to do even better in those areas that will assist me in a meaningful prayer and study life. I want to grow in prayer and in the devotion to Your word.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Observation/Application: Prayer is a discipline that requires focus. Even the reading and study of the Bible requires a similar focus. This encouragement by Peter reminds me of the practical aspects of keeping a clear mind: regular sleep, eating, exercise and other basic health habits help keep our minds sharp so we can give ourselves without distraction to spiritual disciplines like reading and prayer.
Prayer: Lord, help me to do even better in those areas that will assist me in a meaningful prayer and study life. I want to grow in prayer and in the devotion to Your word.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Title: The Inner Battle / Topic: Temptation
Today’s Reading: James 1; James 2; James 3; James 4; James 5
Scripture: James 1:13-15
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Observation: It's not God's fault. The primary source of my temptations is not hard to find. It's me. Even though I have known and followed the Lord consistently since I was six years old, I still have to deal with the problem that James describes here. "...By his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." What follows is a progression from evil desire to sin and to eventual, inevitable death.
Application: Whenever I read scriptures like this, it reconfirms my life message: Real accountable relationships are essential to stay on track with God. This is a must for every person who wants to walk the narrow road of righteousness and holiness.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You honestly tell me through Your word what is going on. Keep me in touch with the reality of my own need for You and for the continual application of Your grace and truth to transform me into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. I thank You for those who help me to stay on track with You. May I help them as they help me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: James 1:13-15
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Observation: It's not God's fault. The primary source of my temptations is not hard to find. It's me. Even though I have known and followed the Lord consistently since I was six years old, I still have to deal with the problem that James describes here. "...By his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." What follows is a progression from evil desire to sin and to eventual, inevitable death.
Application: Whenever I read scriptures like this, it reconfirms my life message: Real accountable relationships are essential to stay on track with God. This is a must for every person who wants to walk the narrow road of righteousness and holiness.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You honestly tell me through Your word what is going on. Keep me in touch with the reality of my own need for You and for the continual application of Your grace and truth to transform me into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. I thank You for those who help me to stay on track with You. May I help them as they help me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Title: Three Short Thoughts / Topic: Holy Living
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 12; Hebrews 13; Jude 1
I selected three verses from Hebrews chapter 12. These three caught my eye and I couldn't make up my mind which I wanted to journal on, so I decided to write on all three briefly
#1 Scripture: Hebrews 12:11
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
#1 Observation/Application: The thing that caught my eye here was the phrase "harvest of righteousness and peace." We all know that discipline can produce righteousness in a person. But the idea that it produces peace is interesting to me. As I think about it, it seems that true righteousness brings peace along with it as a kind of bi-product. That is, if I am truly righteous, I will be at peace with whatever is going on around me. The other thing that comes to mind is that whenever we find ourselves or another person lacking peace, there is a need for some discipline to produce that peace along with the attendant righteousness.
#2 Scripture: Hebrews 12:14
14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
#2 Observation/Application: Holiness is a word that is out of fashion today. For me, it strikes images of women with tight hairdos and no makeup wearing plain clothing. It reminds me of legalism and the efforts to get rid of sin by restricting any indulgence. But I think that misses the point of holiness. Holiness is a dedication of myself to a specific cause, in this case, to serving the Lord. Hence, I must dedicate myself to God and His purposes for my life or I will not "see the Lord."
#3 Scripture: Hebrews 12:15
15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
#3 Observation/Application: God gives grace when I am offended or wounded. I can receive God's grace and use it to process my hurt and pain to produce healing and more grace. Or, I can reject the grace of God and process (or bury) my hurt and pain on my own which has the inevitable result of producing a bitter root in my life. Unfortunately, a bitter root will grow up and produce bitter fruit. And even more unfortunate still is the truth expressed in this verse that bitter fruit does not affect only me. No, here is the broader effect of bitter root and bitter fruit: "cause trouble and defile many." The damage that bitterness can do it widespread and very detrimental. The lesson here is accept God's grace and never process hurt without it.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the great lessons we find in Your word. Help me and my readers to remember them and to implement them in our lives.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
I selected three verses from Hebrews chapter 12. These three caught my eye and I couldn't make up my mind which I wanted to journal on, so I decided to write on all three briefly
#1 Scripture: Hebrews 12:11
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
#1 Observation/Application: The thing that caught my eye here was the phrase "harvest of righteousness and peace." We all know that discipline can produce righteousness in a person. But the idea that it produces peace is interesting to me. As I think about it, it seems that true righteousness brings peace along with it as a kind of bi-product. That is, if I am truly righteous, I will be at peace with whatever is going on around me. The other thing that comes to mind is that whenever we find ourselves or another person lacking peace, there is a need for some discipline to produce that peace along with the attendant righteousness.
#2 Scripture: Hebrews 12:14
14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
#2 Observation/Application: Holiness is a word that is out of fashion today. For me, it strikes images of women with tight hairdos and no makeup wearing plain clothing. It reminds me of legalism and the efforts to get rid of sin by restricting any indulgence. But I think that misses the point of holiness. Holiness is a dedication of myself to a specific cause, in this case, to serving the Lord. Hence, I must dedicate myself to God and His purposes for my life or I will not "see the Lord."
#3 Scripture: Hebrews 12:15
15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
#3 Observation/Application: God gives grace when I am offended or wounded. I can receive God's grace and use it to process my hurt and pain to produce healing and more grace. Or, I can reject the grace of God and process (or bury) my hurt and pain on my own which has the inevitable result of producing a bitter root in my life. Unfortunately, a bitter root will grow up and produce bitter fruit. And even more unfortunate still is the truth expressed in this verse that bitter fruit does not affect only me. No, here is the broader effect of bitter root and bitter fruit: "cause trouble and defile many." The damage that bitterness can do it widespread and very detrimental. The lesson here is accept God's grace and never process hurt without it.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the great lessons we find in Your word. Help me and my readers to remember them and to implement them in our lives.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Title: Believe The Invisible / Topic: Faith
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 9; Hebrews 10; Hebrews 11
Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, 6
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible...
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Observation: By faith -- this is how the believer lives. "Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Unsaved people will often mock this. "How can you be sure of what you can't see?", they ask. Of course the answer makes no sense to them: "By faith." They call it blind faith. But it is not blind. It is belief with a vision. A vision of hope and trust in a God that we choose to believe in. And when I believe in God, He rewards that belief with a greater awareness of His reality. As I earnestly seek Him, He sees that and reaches back to me with more blessings. I also like the statement in verse 3 "what is seen was not made out of what was visible." This scripture was written long before science discovered the basic building blocks of matter: molecules, atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons and the like. These invisible particles that make up every physical substance are what this verse is referencing. "...what is seen was not made out of what is visible..." or, to reword it, "what is seen was made out of what is invisible." Interesting.
Application: Faith is necessary to please God. (The world claims to shun faith, but that is not true. The unbelieving world has great faith to believe in all sorts of unproven and unprovable things. The most outstanding example of this is Darwinian evolution, that is the belief that all living organisms evolved by chance over time from one original single cell organism. That takes great faith to believe.)
Bottom line: Keep on believing. Keep the faith. God's reward will come.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that You reward faith. Thank You for the gift of faith and the measure of faith that You give to every person. Help me to grow in faith and in boldness to believe and act in a manner consistent with faith. Help more people to believe. Help me to lead others to believe in You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, 6
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible...
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Observation: By faith -- this is how the believer lives. "Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Unsaved people will often mock this. "How can you be sure of what you can't see?", they ask. Of course the answer makes no sense to them: "By faith." They call it blind faith. But it is not blind. It is belief with a vision. A vision of hope and trust in a God that we choose to believe in. And when I believe in God, He rewards that belief with a greater awareness of His reality. As I earnestly seek Him, He sees that and reaches back to me with more blessings. I also like the statement in verse 3 "what is seen was not made out of what was visible." This scripture was written long before science discovered the basic building blocks of matter: molecules, atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons and the like. These invisible particles that make up every physical substance are what this verse is referencing. "...what is seen was not made out of what is visible..." or, to reword it, "what is seen was made out of what is invisible." Interesting.
Application: Faith is necessary to please God. (The world claims to shun faith, but that is not true. The unbelieving world has great faith to believe in all sorts of unproven and unprovable things. The most outstanding example of this is Darwinian evolution, that is the belief that all living organisms evolved by chance over time from one original single cell organism. That takes great faith to believe.)
Bottom line: Keep on believing. Keep the faith. God's reward will come.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that You reward faith. Thank You for the gift of faith and the measure of faith that You give to every person. Help me to grow in faith and in boldness to believe and act in a manner consistent with faith. Help more people to believe. Help me to lead others to believe in You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Title: The Loud Pray-er / Topic: Passion
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 5; Hebrews 6; Hebrews 7; Hebrews 8
Scripture: Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Observation: What an interesting scripture! According to this verse, Jesus was one of those "loud pray-ers" -- He didn't pray silently or even quietly. He was also quite emotional about it -- crying with tears and all that kind of thing.
Application: Lots of people don't like loudness and emotion when it is connected to spirituality or religion. (It's OK at sporting events or at political protests, but for most it is apparently NOT OK at church.) Maybe this is one additional reason that the religious people of Jesus' time didn't like Him. He wasn't dignified and reserved in His practice of religion. His method of prayer makes Him seem like a fanatic. And fanatics always make the establishment uncomfortable.
Bottom line: If Jesus prayed with loud cries and tears, then that is a good way to pray. I need to practice because I am not very adept at praying this way.
Prayer: Lord help me to engage my emotions in prayer like Jesus did. Help me to get over my cultural preference for quiet, calm, and order and get into some serious prayers and petitions with all of my being. I need Your help in this, Lord. Teach me to really pray with a passion.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Observation: What an interesting scripture! According to this verse, Jesus was one of those "loud pray-ers" -- He didn't pray silently or even quietly. He was also quite emotional about it -- crying with tears and all that kind of thing.
Application: Lots of people don't like loudness and emotion when it is connected to spirituality or religion. (It's OK at sporting events or at political protests, but for most it is apparently NOT OK at church.) Maybe this is one additional reason that the religious people of Jesus' time didn't like Him. He wasn't dignified and reserved in His practice of religion. His method of prayer makes Him seem like a fanatic. And fanatics always make the establishment uncomfortable.
Bottom line: If Jesus prayed with loud cries and tears, then that is a good way to pray. I need to practice because I am not very adept at praying this way.
Prayer: Lord help me to engage my emotions in prayer like Jesus did. Help me to get over my cultural preference for quiet, calm, and order and get into some serious prayers and petitions with all of my being. I need Your help in this, Lord. Teach me to really pray with a passion.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Title: A Key To Growth / Topic: Spiritual Walk
Today’s Reading: Philemon 1; Hebrews 1; Hebrews 2; Hebrews 3; Hebrews 4
Scripture: Philemon 1:6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Observation: Paul shares a key in personal spiritual growth. If you want to grow in understanding of spiritual matters, share your faith.
Application: Many people seem to be stuck in their spiritual maturity level. They have reached a certain place and they have plateaued at that level for a long period of time. They may attend church regularly but many are frustrated that they don't seem to be growing. Here is a key: share your faith. In sharing my faith, I am stretched to know more and I involve the Holy Spirit in my life by being a part of the flow of God's truth to someone else. I not only benefit them, but also myself. Notice that it says "be active." That means we need to not only do it, but keep doing it.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be more and more active in habitually sharing my faith with others. I want to be a vehicle of your saving grace to many people. Give me words and ways to share that will get results for Your kingdom.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Philemon 1:6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Observation: Paul shares a key in personal spiritual growth. If you want to grow in understanding of spiritual matters, share your faith.
Application: Many people seem to be stuck in their spiritual maturity level. They have reached a certain place and they have plateaued at that level for a long period of time. They may attend church regularly but many are frustrated that they don't seem to be growing. Here is a key: share your faith. In sharing my faith, I am stretched to know more and I involve the Holy Spirit in my life by being a part of the flow of God's truth to someone else. I not only benefit them, but also myself. Notice that it says "be active." That means we need to not only do it, but keep doing it.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be more and more active in habitually sharing my faith with others. I want to be a vehicle of your saving grace to many people. Give me words and ways to share that will get results for Your kingdom.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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