2/28/14

2/28/14

After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, "What were you discussing out on the road?" But they didn't answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, "Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else." Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me." (Mark 9:33-37 NLT)

This "who's the greatest?" Question was an ongoing issue for the Disciples, and I can just imagine Jesus, rolling His eyes every time they started talking about it. He knew this didn't matter, but they wouldn't get it through their thick skulls. So He took one of the children, (I imagine it was Peter's daughter, or James' son) and put the child on His shoulders, and taught about how to become great in God's kingdom. Humility, placing others in front of yourself, and serving. The last will be the greatest. We need to strive to become last.

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Thursday, February 27

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Leviticus 20:22–22:16

Mark 9:1–29

Psalm 43:1–5

Proverbs 10:18

 

 

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has he been like this?’

 

“‘From childhood,’ he answered.  ‘It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.  But, if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’”

 

“‘If you can?’ said Jesus.  ‘Everything is possible for him who believes.’”

 

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” (March 9:21–24)

 

 

Pastor Scott has discussed this passage several times, but the core truths here are definitely worth revisiting.  I often find myself exactly in the father’s position:  trusting in God’s hand but desiring to trust Him more.  Have you struggled with this balance before?

 

Two images came to mind in considering this passage:  a pie chart of belief/unbelief and the “logic” behind Zeno’s paradox.  Please imagine a pie chart in your mind’s eye with two slices:  one representing your current state of trust/belief and the other representing distrust/unbelief.  This pie chart adjusts fluidly through time, right?  One moment, we may experience a nearly complete trust/belief slice, but momentary struggles may force the distrust/unbelief slice to grow.  The two slices push at one another, and reality tells us that, if we are not actively expanding the trust/belief slice, it will begin collapsing under the weight of worry, fear, and doubt.  We will explore how this trust/belief slice may grow in a moment.

 

Additionally, I would like to introduce Zeno’s paradox.  This mathematical concept involves the consideration of “limits.”  Zeno noticed that, if one were to look at a race, each runner at some point reaches the halfway point (50%).  Then, in the remaining 50%, he or she then reaches the halfway point of that segment, or 75% of the total.  We may continue this subdivision of the remaining portion until a very small subset remains (~0.01%) of the race.  Zeno posited that the runner may never finish the race, given that the small halfway sections would approach zero but never become zero.  Yet, the runners do finish the race, pointing to the reality that mathematical and physical limits do exist.  Otherwise, we would never “finish” anything.  Whew!

 

In the Christian life, however, we find that Zeno’s paradox does hold to some extent, as our best attempts to grow the trust/belief slice face impediments from the world, the Evil One, and our own hearts and minds.  Faith and trust often feel like paddling upstream, struggling against a current of worldliness and frustration.

 

How may we combat these forces?  Two key realizations seem crucial:  1) we must become intimately familiar with the One who “can,” and 2) the battle belongs to the Lord.

 

Knowing Jesus and His power involves both our heads and our hearts.  Merely recognizing His goodness doesn’t unlock faith; we must instead experience His Presence and sense His mighty power.  Our faith grows when we willingly surrender and beg Him for a demonstration of His power and majesty.  The father could not bring about healing through money, possessions, or rituals; rather, he needed just to trust and rest in Jesus’s power, taking His yoke.  As Mary did when she had seen the promised Messiah’s coming, we may “treasure up all these things and ponder them in our hearts.” (Luke 2:19)  Please notice that this joy came to Mary because, as the “Lord’s servant,” she trusted that God’s “word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)

 

We also do not fight this battle alone, relying on our own strength.  As Chad taught on Sunday, God draws near to us as we draw near to Him. (James 4:8)  Those who eagerly seek the filling and power of the Holy Spirit will receive His power as part of a request after God’s will. (Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 5:14,15; Acts 4:22–31)  As we seek to live according to His Word, we know that He is fully able to accomplish His purposes.   As Jeremiah exclaimed, ““Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (32:17)  Amen, and amen.

 

 

Lord Jesus, help us to overcome unbelief.  Reveal Yourself more fully in our lives so that we may trust You and comprehend Your awesome majesty more deeply.  Make us hungry for You and not for the world’s lies and idols.  Bring us into a more profound relationship of love and a fuller picture of Your goodness.  We desperately need You on a moment-by-moment basis.  May Your glory overwhelm us and cause many people to draw near to You:  in Grace Church, our local communities, our state, our country, and our world.  Come, Lord Jesus, come.  In Your precious Name, amen.

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February 25

Leviticus 16:29-18:30

Mark 7:24-8:10

Psalm 41:1-13

Proverbs 10:15,16

Today's reading Leviticus outlines some of God's guidelines for marriage and sexual relations. One may wonder why does God have all these rules and laws regarding this subject? Why does God care? Is God trying to make us live boring lives?

The reason for all these commands is God wants all areas of our lives to be holy like He is holy. He wants our relationships and marriages to be a reflection of His perfect love. The only way for this to be successful is for God to be the center of all relationships.

I was reminded of a book on marriage call Strangers, Lovers, Friends written by Urban Steinmetz (Travis's grandfather). I wanted to share a chapter from his book because I think he simply and clearly explains why we can never hope to make relationships work without the help of a perfect loving God.

Get Yourself a Loving God (from Strangers, Lovers, Friends)

Even among Christians, the gods that we worship come in all shapes and sizes. Often we mistakenly call these gods God and try to use a phony imitation to build a life on.

Much of our Christian world is engaged in the business of telling us about either god or God. Fathers and mothers are usually the first, and they probably teach us what lives with us the longest. Politicians tell us about god as election day approaches. More than 200 different varieties of preachers preach god, and sometimes God. Church schools beat us, bribe us, coax us, threaten us, and love us with an almighty.

The trouble with all these gods is that their press agents are people. Usually these people are sincere and honest. But many of them have not been loved enough. Instead, many of them have been hurt too often by too many people. So they cannot see Love clearly.

People who have been punished often in their lives tend to teach us about a punishing god. People who are afraid to come close to a loving and friendly God tell us about a dim and distant one who can only be approached on our knees. People who are insecure give us an insecure god, forever in need of praises, glories and hosannas. Church builders give us a church-building god, while those who worry about budgets present us with a god who first responds to dollars given. From people in high places we get gods who approve of high places and tell us that we must reverence the high office and not the person who fills it. Bookkeeping types give us bookkeeping gods who chart and graph our good and bad, while church organizations frequently offer us a god who is really an obedient second lieutenant, cheerfully endorsing and cosigning any orders that the great commanders of those organizations decree.

Our world, too, offers us a whole variety of gods, although our society doesn't call them that. But when we are asked to devote our entire lives to gathering money or power, to our profession, to education, even to the church, or to marriage, then we are being coerced to follow false gods. Our God is a jealous God, and he wants our lives committed first to him.

The incessant din of all these gods beats at our head for 20 years or more, and then we marry. Very shortly we discover that no one could possibly live with and continue to love the strange and complicated human being we all seem to marry without the help of that real God who sees things much more clearly than we do.

Unfortunately, that is also when we discover that we have no dependable and loving and real God at all. Instead, four of us enter nearly every Christian marriage: one man and one woman, but both bringing along their own separate and distinct and highly unlikely gods.

Sometimes a couple divorces these useless gods quite early in the marriage. More often, leftovers of these gods hang on, and are themselves the cause of endless, useless bickering. But sometimes - slowly, thoughtfully, prayerfully - God is substituted for these ungodly gods. Then the couple is on its way toward a genuine, mature and beautiful love. Now there are three people in the union totally committed to the same business - the business of creating love. And one of these people is mature enough, and wise enough, and caring enough to see through the hurt feelings and the unfeeling relatives and the disgusting habits to the real, loving people underneath.

Because God has been a close, personal and dependable friend for the past 20 years of my life, I have spent a great deal of time trying to tell others about him. Usually I have failed, even with my own children. Now I am facing the reason for that failure.

God doesn't really need another press agent who loudly shouts, "Follow God the Urb Steinmetz way." Too many people are already shouting, "Here is God," and "There is God," and confusing all of us. I am sure, now, that my friend doesn't want me to add to the confusion.

The truth of the matter is that each one of us has to find God individually. That is not as hard as it sounds. All that we need to do is sincerely face ourselves and admit that none of us is capable of loving alone. Then we can turn to God in honest confusion and say to him: "God, I am confused. I have heard so many different things about you that I don't know who you are or what you want from me. But I do know that I need you."

It may not even be important to know who God is. I do not think it is important to me. What is important is that I know that he is my friend, and that I can go to him any day at any hour of the day and he will listen to me, help me.

I am a person who is often afraid and often confused, and I think you are, too. I can't even imagine going through life without a friend who is never confused and never afraid, and who always loves me. I think it is silly to try to meet and love my wife, or my children, or a neighbor, or any other human being without that friend at my side to advise me.

So how do you find God? I guess I believe now that you don't find God. Instead, you approach him many times a day as a little child approaches his father and mother. You approach him in any way that you are comfortable with and tell him that you need him and that you want to do what he wants you to do and that you want to be his friend.

 

And then God finds you.

 

February 24: Sin, intent and taking offense - affairs of the heart

Leviticus 15:1-16:28

Mark 7:1-23

Psalm 40:11-17

Proverbs 10:13-14

God gave the people of the Old Testament an instruction manual for the attainment of righteousness that was excruciatingly elaborate and immeasurably complex.  I can only imagine how hopelessly difficult it was to follow when I remember the problems I have just trying to figure out the TV remote control.  In today's example, it was difficult even just to figure out if one was unclean.  There was a consultation, an observation, a waiting period, possibly a second consultation...and throughout that time there was the possibility the person was unclean and, consequently, defiling others as well.  So complicated and, as we see from the Pharisees in Jesus's time, so easy to corrupt as well.  

In the New Testament portion of the reading, Jesus shows us a different way of determining whether one was unclean - by looking at a person's heart or, as I understand it from this example, the person's intent.  The Pharisees would declare property "Corban", or "devoted to God".  While this might seem a valid, even noble reason, its purpose was to avoid having to use the property to help their parents.  The law may have been good, but there was malice in the adherence, making the obedient action sinful.  

So what is important is what's in the heart - and, in my case at least, that gives rise to a whole new can of worms. First, I take offense too easily, to quickly, and almost always without any regard for the other person's intent.  And second, because my heart struggles with all sorts of sinfulness, which is - surprise! - manifest in my speech, my thoughts, my actions, sinfulness so persistent and so impossible to completely overcome.  So all the more reason to thank God that He knows my sinfulness, is always ready to forgive me, and to help me change both my readiness to take offense, and my heart.

Saturday BlogPost (2/22/14)

Saturday, February 22, 2014 [by Keesha Sullivan]

Mark 6:2-6

 

"When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. 'Where did this man get these things?' they asked. 'What's this wisdom that has been given him that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?' And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, 'Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.' He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith."

            These people tried to use logic to rationalize why Jesus could not be the Christ. Rationalization is when a person substitutes a natural reason in place of a supernatural explanation. The people brought up valid questions. Jesus and his father Joseph were carpenters for a trade. They knew Jesus' mother, father, brother, and sisters. Wouldn't the Son of God come from an unknown place and an unknown family? In order for these men and women to believe, they were going to have to take a huge step of faith. Everything concerning Jesus would not be able to be explained scientifically, logically, and rationally. They were going to have to trust God's Word even in the midst of their uncertainty.

            I am guilty of trying to use logic to rationalize when God speaks to me at times. I remember one morning I got up a bit late. I had several tasks I wanted to get accomplished, and the Lord said spend time with me first. I was worried that if I spent time with the Lord that none of those tasks would get done in time. I was rationalizing why it would be better to do my work and then spend time with Him. I decided to spend time with Him, because I wanted to be obedient. As Kenny drove me to work, I checked the work website. We had a two hour delay, which meant I had two hours to get those tasks done that seemed so daunting just a few hours prior. I smiled at the Lord and thought. "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (NLT Matthew 6:33).

            I know that situation seemed small, but it grew my faith in God. I trust in Him more due to these testimonies. It's easy for us to try to be logical and to rationalize God's Word and the words that He speaks to us at times, but we serve a Supernatural God. Matthew 19:26 says, "Jesus looked at them intently and said, 'Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.'"

            Lord, help us to trust You and Your Word. Even when it seems that things will not work out in the natural realm, help us to believe in the supernatural. Help us to put our faith in You. We love You so much Lord. We thank You for Your hand over our lives. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen

 

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"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26)

Kenny Sullivan

(201) 218-0751

שלום

Thursday, February 20

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014

Leviticus 9:7–10:20

Mark 4:26–5:20

Psalm 37:30–40

Proverbs 10:6,7

 

 

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.  There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’

 

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet!  Be still!’  Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm.

 

“He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?’

 

“They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this?  Even the wind and waves obey him!’” (Mark 4:35–41)

 

“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;

                he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

The Lord helps them and delivers them;

                he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

                because they take refuge in him.” (Psalm 37:39,40)

 

 

These two passages from Thursday’s reading touch upon God’s sovereignty over nature and human events. As Augustine explains, “nothing, therefore, happens unless the Omnipotent wills it to happen: he either permits it to happen, or he brings it about himself.”

 

Trusting God demands that we understand His control, power, and goodness.  In each characteristic, we understand that God is fully in control, completely powerful, and unfailingly good.  The outcomes from this last element may appear mixed or difficult, however, from our human perspective.  Still, we may trust that God is working out events and situations for His purposes:  to bring His children into conformity with His Son (Romans 8:28,29).

 

In the storm on the lake, the disciples experience the emotions that we would likely show.  Yet, Jesus remains completely calm, even able to sleep through the storm!  His two questions – “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?” – strike me in the heart because I definitely waver in the face of life’s storms.

 

This wavering clearly points to an area where we may grow:  strengthening our faith.  Exercise physiology teaches that, in working out, we strengthen our muscles by breaking them down, by exerting them.  Our endurance and strength grow as we push ourselves to greater goals.  Resistance training becomes more effective as we continue to increase weight.

 

Even in the whirlwind, the disciples recognize that Jesus calmed the storm Himself.  His very Presence may become an anchor and “stronghold” for us in our hours of tempest:  “God is our refuge and strength,/ an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)  Also, Proverbs 18:10 promises:  “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

 

 

Lord Jesus, may we experience a deeper sense of Your Presence.  Help us to cling to You and to take Your yoke upon us in our hours of tempest.  Turn our eyes to Your sovereign control and goodness.  Deepen our trust in Your Word and Your all-sufficient grace.  May we love You and serve You this day and each day.  We love You and surrender our lives to You as living sacrifices.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk according to Your statutes and bring honor and glory to Your Name.  In Your holy Name, amen.

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Wed's blog

Leviticus 7:28-9:6, Mark 3:31-4:25, Psalm 37: 12-29, Proverbs 10:5


I have gone a few crazy kicks in my life. Right now I'm doing this 30-day cleanse/change of diet, and Divan is actually doing with me. A couple years ago I decided to be a vegetarian for a month. That was definitely the hardest, and D wanted nothing to do with that one. Between these two life changes, and my absolute love of food, I know as a truth I can never totally give up meat. Food gives me joy, and D will be the first to testify to this. Nikkie cranky=give the woman some food. Reading Leviticus made me think about how much God must love food too. It talks about the offerings that the early Hebrews made to God in worship, sacrifice, and obedience.

As I blogged a couple years ago, when slaughtering animals, there are lots of smells, sounds, and flavors that fill the air. God wanted the best parts of these animals that offered. It brings up the image of Abel and Cain in Genesis. God wanted the best...he wanted the parts that would be the biggest sacrifice. Leviticus 8:21 says, "After washing the internal organs and the legs with water, Moses burned the entire ram on the altar as a burnt offering. It was a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded him." A few verses down, in verse 28, it continues, "Moses then took all the offerings back from them and burned them on the altar on top of the burnt offering. This was the ordination offering. It was a pleasing aroma, a special gift presented to the Lord." This pleasing aroma... Something that smelled so good, filled the air and made God happy! It pleased Him! This sacrifice! And it was the beginning of traditions and rituals that the Jewish people would perform for generations and generations to come.

Jump a few centuries ahead, the Jewish people were still practicing these sacrifices and rituals. Paul was expanding the early church, and teaching hundreds through his letters. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?"(2 Corinthians 2:15, 16 NIV). With Jesus dying on the cross, He became the new covenant, a substitute for the sacrifices that were observed before. He became the ultimate sacrifice. And we, as believers, followers, and imitators of Christ, WE become that pleasing aroma to God.

2/21/14

2/21/14

A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, "If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed." Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my robe?" His disciples said to him, "Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, 'Who touched me?'" But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over." (Mark 5:25-34 NLT)

I really find this story interesting. The reason: not because Jesus heals two people in a significant way, but because the lady who was bleeding was healed without Jesus' intention. Jesus feels the power flow out from Him, but He did not will for it to happen. Jesus was surprised by this. This is making me re-think some things. Perhaps healing in general is part of His will, no matter what. Maybe Jesus' healing is just sitting there, waiting to be tapped into, and maybe it is about our faith? We have seen examples recently of desperate people, praying with desperate faith, and we have seen healing. Maybe God is looking for us to be completely desperate, and completely sold out to him being the ONLY answer, as He was for this woman. All the other options of the time had been exhausted, all she had left for an option was Jesus.

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February 18

Leviticus 6:1-7:27

Mark 3:7-30

Psalm 37:1-11

Proverbs 10:3,4

"The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked."

~Proverbs 10:3~

Last year, I read a book called Shadow by D. R. Evans. In this story, the heroine (a woman named Catherine) is captured by the villain Malthazzar and brought to his palace. Once inside, he brings her to a banquet hall with a huge table piled with food. He tells her to eat as much as she wants. Since she is hungry, she begins to eat. But she soon realizes that this food that Malthazzar has offered her does not satisfy. She feels even hungrier after eating it. Her first instinct is to eat more, but thankfully for her, she figured out what this "food" was doing to her and she stopped. She would rather eat nothing than eat something that made her hunger worse.

I loved this picture of consuming something that doesn't satisfy our hunger. It's exactly what we do all the time. We all long for something and often times we try to fill ourselves with the wrong thing. If we are looking to anything other than God, we will be left unsatisfied. 

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled."

~Matthew 5:6~

February 17: Sin and the ability to turn the other cheek

Leviticus 4:1-5:19

Mark 2:13-3:6

Psalm 36:1-12

Proverbs 10:1-2

Going through today's readings, it is amazing to see how much the concept of sin appears to change.  Where, in the Old Testament, the only thing that mattered was the rule, where it did not matter if you know what you were doing, if you knew it was sinful, or if you intended to do it, in the New Testament the rules appear to have changed completely.  Here, Jesus appears to be breaking the laws - the law about the Sabbath in particular, and twice.  What he is doing is offensive to the Pharisees who, in their defense, have chosen to interpret Jesus's actions in the manner they were accustomed to interpreting them - in the most literal way possible, a manner certain to lead them to take offense at Jesus and His actions.  

However, Jesus shows them there is another way, a more benevolent way - in fact, a genuinely God-centric way to understand His actions, to for us to act as well.  He points out intent - Jesus did not mean to defile the Sabbath, He meant to heal a man, to feed His disciples, to call the unclean and the sinners.  I cannot help but relate this concept of intent to Mt 15:18, where we are told "the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man".  Where the thoughts are evil, then the actions that result are evil.  Where the thoughts are good, then the actions that result are good as well.  

For the last couple of weeks, I have been struggling with the same thing the Pharisees struggle with - how to interpret an action another commits, which I find sinful and offensive and which the other person believes well intentioned and innocuous.  Should I take offense?  Should I not?  Sometimes it is impossible to understand where the other person is coming from, to know for certain whether or not offense was intended.  I find, however, that I am better served by choosing an interpretation that thinks well of the other person, that chooses not to take offense.  Perhaps that will be the start of my ability to truly turn the other cheek.

Feb 16

Mark 1

One of the enigmas of Jesus is when he says, "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."   Mark 1:44

In our Bible reading journey we are reading both Leviticus and the gospel of Mark. There is an interesting intersection between them in this passage.  

Because of the compassion of Jesus he heals a man of leprosy. But Jesus also shows his compassion because he gives an incredible witness to his most vocal enemies.

These priests have been in seminary for years studying an elaborate procedure for a person cured of leprosy. There are actually 18 steps in the process, from taking an hour walk to giving the person a complete hair cut and a bath. That is an elaborate ceremony!!! But as far as we know, there were only two people cured of leprosy in the 2000 years of Jewish history. One was Miriam and the other was General Naaman in 2 Kings 5. So these seminary guys learned this stuff and then they placed their notes aside of other useless materials like “Famous Egyptian Ballet Dancers” or “Egyptian Chariot Driving Techniques for Snowy Roads.”  

Then one day there is a knock on the temple door. The person on the other side shouts out loud, “I have been healed of leprosy.” All of a sudden the priests start scrambling around looking for the notes from that seminary class. The next day 3 more appear. Then next week 10 guys show up. The priests start asking, “How were you healed?” The name Jesus comes up every time. I believe God hide this elaborate ceremony in the middle of Leviticus to give the priests in Jesus’ time overwhelming evidence that the Messiah had arrived. 

Wow for the plan of God to show the world that Jesus is the Messiah. And double wow for Jesus who healed people because he cared about them.

We have such an incredible Savior.

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Saturday BlogPost 02/15/14

Saturday, February 15, 2014 [Prepare the Way]

Mark 1

"Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him…" 

"John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  (Mark 1:3-4, NIV)

In the ancient Roman world, important officials were announced via a herald (an announcer).  John the Baptist was to Jesus as Ed McMahon was to Johnny Carson or as Flava Flav was to Chuck D and Public Enemy.  But, he was even more than that!  John the Baptist was not just announcing the coming of Messiah Jesus, he was proclaiming how to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom reality (the rule and reign of God) that Jesus would bring with Him.  The preparation began with repentance.

The word repent in Greek gives us a picture of someone walking along a road, stopping, turning around and going the other way.  This is a changing of direction – an acknowledgement that the direction we're headed in is not leading us to the place where God wants us to be and then a decisive move to turn around.  That's repentance.  I used to think that all one had to do was mouth a few words and then they'd be saved forever, but that's not repentance.  Repentance is an active choice, not a passive sentiment.  We make the choice and Jesus provides the power as we act.

"Lord, I've been on this road for quite some time – it's all I know.  But, I also know that this road leads to something destructive, so I'm turning around."

It's when we make that turn around and plant our first step in the opposite direction that we meet the most important person that ever walked the face of this earth.  Wow!  Yes, Messiah Jesus is already walking on that straight path and we get to join Him.  This is a new way of walking so He has to tell us about pacing and stride.  Sometimes we have to run and other times we have to take it a little slow.  Yet, the most beautiful thing about being on this road is that we're with Jesus.  He knows where He's going and He's overwhelmingly confident that we can make it if we stick together…and He's NOT going to leave us.

This "walking together with Jesus" is where our power to live in this world comes from. 

"You have to admit that you need forgiveness before you can accept it.  To prepare to receive Jesus Christ, repent." – Commentary on Mark 1:5 from the NIV Life Application Study Bible

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Kenny Sullivan

Grace EFC, Stamford, CT

kensullivan97@gmail.com

(201) 218-0751

שלום

Thursday, February 13

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014

Exodus 35:10–36:38

Matthew 27:32–66

Psalm 34:1–10

Proverbs 9:7,8

 

 

Today's passage describes the careful construction of the Tabernacle, a "tent of meeting," that would serve as the site of the Israelites' communal worship.  This Tabernacle replaces Moses's first tent of meeting and foreshadows the Temple in Jerusalem and, ultimately, heaven.

 

Although the specific terms for measurements and weights may sound foreign to us, it is clear that the people were careful to follow all that God had commanded them through Moses.  The Israelites eagerly offer their gold, silver, yarn, and fine linen and their time and talents as well.  It is fascinating to see how a people, who had given their gold jewelry only a few chapters earlier to the production of the golden calf, have now turned their focus to honoring the Lord through this Tabernacle, where He will meet with them.  We also note how the craftsmen constructed these items for portability, placing poles in many items so that the Israelites might reconstruct the Tabernacle after God has led them elsewhere.

 

The Tabernacle is truly a celebration of God's presence.  The people go forth with the building project with joy because they have seen God's presence.  As Scott wrote yesterday, we should seek nothing greater than His presence.  (Each day, we are challenged by the reminder of the many idols in American life:  sports, celebrity, sensual pleasure, food, and material possessions.  How many of these idols will appear in a single half-hour of broadcast television today?)

 

We also witness a helpful picture of the ingredients for serving the Lord faithfully:  the Lord equips the craftsmen for His work through sending the Holy Spirit, and they dedicate themselves to serving with diligence and excellence.  This interaction of God's work and man's work results in a beautiful place for celebrating His presence.  We must not rely only on ourselves to serve the Lord, but we can't stand idly by either.

 

Below, I offer two applications from considering the Tabernacle and our living today:

 

1) The “how” matters as much as the “what.”  We might summarize this concept with the axiom:  “God’s work done in God’s way will honor God and receive His blessing.”  (Missionary Hudson Taylor offered another greater truth in a similar statement:  “God’s work, done God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.”)  Clearly, God has endowed each of us, much in the way that He blessed the Tabernacle craftsmen, with skills and abilities:  “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)  We must be careful to note that we do not undertake these “good works” in order to “earn” our salvation, but rather our sacrificial attitude towards service reflects our grateful reaction to the finished work of Christ on the cross and its power to bring eternal life “to all who received him, to those who believed in his name.” (John 1:12)

 

On the other hand, we must not allow ourselves to become complacent in thinking that our work, however tedious, has no greater meaning.  Indeed, as I noted above, I am convinced that our attitude matters as much as our achievements.  We will not all paint masterpieces, write symphonies, manage Fortune 500 companies, or pastor and counsel hundreds of people.  Yet, God has called each one of us to His purpose for our lives.  Colossians 3:22–24 instructs us:  “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  As we all serve others, these verses apply equally appropriately to a 21st-century office worker as to a first-century bondsman.

How should we approach our work?  Too often, we look at work as a chore or an obligation, rather than a blessing and means of glorifying and honoring God.  Instead, we may view every (legal) activity as a means of blessing His people and bringing glory to His Name.  The Scriptures make clear that, even in the Garden, God has called us to work as a means of worshipping and serving Him and His people.

 

 

2) We ought to offer our lives as living sacrifices.  In a similar way to the Israelites, God has called us to offer our lives as “living sacrifices.” (Romans 12:1,2)  In so doing, we become committed to living a life of worship and intentionality:  “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)  Practically speaking, this commitment demands that we place all our time, talent, energy, and money at His feet, asking for His direction in how to deploy our limited resources.  In our pride, we will find ourselves seeking to retake control of the reins.  We must rededicate ourselves to this attitude on a daily or hourly basis, recognizing that God has created us for His very purpose (Ephesians 2:10 again).

 

 

QUESTIONS

 

1.  How can you offer your "craftsmanship" in excellence to the Lord this week?  How can you honor Him with the talents He has given you?

2.  How can you better celebrate God's presence?

 

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February 11

Exodus 32-33

Matthew 26:69-27:14

Psalm 33:1-11

Proverbs 8:33-36

"If you don't personally go with us, don't make us leave this place." Exodus 33:13

The Israelites screwed up. Big time. God was furious with them for worshipping a golden idol and for forgetting all He had done for them. He was so furious with them, He told them to go to the promised land, but that He would not travel with them.

These are two things that I took from the Exodus reading:

(1) God will keep His promises even when we screw up.

It's amazing that even though God is angry, He still keeps His promises. He promised Abraham that He would give this land to his descendants. He told the Israelites to go, but that He was too angry to go with them.

(2) All the blessings and good things in the world are meaningless if God is not with you.

It's also amazing that once the people realized how serious God was, they immediately went into mourning. God said they would still get the land, but they didn't want it if it meant that God would not be with them.

February 10 - Sin or Forgiveness? Your choice...

Exodus 30:11-31:18

Matthew 26:47-68

Psalm 32:1-11

Proverbs 8:27-32

What an interesting set of Bible verses to read together.  In the OT reading, we continue to read today about the intricacies of man's relationship with God, of everything he had to build, to wear, to do in order to be in right relationship with our Lord.  So narrow a plank to walk on, so much room for error, failure, sin.  And the consequences were severe - death for anyone who desecrated the Sabbath, among other things.  Exile - and, consequently, pretty much certain death in those times, I imagine - for those who even dared to make incense like the holy incense for the ark of the covenant.  Indeed, so easy to sin.

Yet as bad as those sins were, in the NT reading, we read of what would seem to be the greatest of sins in human history - Judas's betrayal of Jesus, for 30 pieces of silver; the sale of a man who, to Judas, must have not just been rabbi, but friend as well, if he did not believe Jesus was the messiah.  Judas chose money over Jesus; and, shortly thereafter, the disciples chose their earthly lives over the Man they'd seen transfigured so shortly earlier, the Man Peter had so boldly proclaimed the Messiah, the Son of God.  Again, so easy, so tempting to sin.

Sins.  So pervasive.  So damning.  And yet we then get to the psalm in today's readings, and we read of the blessed one - the one "whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered, whose sin the Lord does not count against them."  What does God ask?  That we acknowledge our sin to Him - and He forgives.  And He then becomes our hiding place; He is then able to transform us, by instructing and teaching us in the ways we should go, counseling us with His loving eye on us.  

Yes, sin is pervasive, persistent and easy.  And as often as I forget, I am astounded when I remember - His forgiveness is even more so - more pervasive, more persistent, easier.  As inevitable as my sin is going to be, may I always remember that I do not have to suffer the wasting away of my bones, the day-long groaning that comes with a resistance to confessing my sins to Him.  

Saturday BlogPost (02/08/14)

Saturday, February 8, 2014 [Where are the priests?]

Exodus 28:1-43

 

Aaron had a VERY serious job.  Reading the description of the priestly garments and their meanings in Exodus 28 affirms this.

 

(1) Their priestly clothes were only to be worn when they were ministering as priests.

(2) On Aaron's clothes he carried the names of the tribes of Israel on his shoulders (v.12) and over his heart (v.29).

(3) On Aaron's forehead was a gold medallion that read "Holy to the Lord." (v.36)

 

Aaron was to carry the burdens of the nation's sin on his shoulders and over his heart when he went before the Lord to pray in the Tabernacle.  He was to take the guilt of the people upon himself and bring it before the Lord.  His job was to be the mediator between God and the people.  Such a serious job and he didn't even apply for it – he was chosen by God.

 

In the Body of Christ today, are there any priests left?  Whatever happened to the priests?

"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10)

 

We are the priests.  Yes, we have a High Priest (Jesus Christ), Who has taken our guilt and sin upon Himself and paid our debt so that we can enjoy peace and friendship with God for eternity (Hebrews 7:26-28).  Yet, Peter says that we are the priests, chosen people of God, declaring God's praises and telling our story of how Jesus grabbed us out of the darkness and brought us into His light. 

 

We never take off these priestly clothes.  We constantly bear the burdens of our neighbors, friends and nation on our shoulders and on our hearts when we pray for them, bringing them and their requests before the Lord.  We share the story of our sin and tell of the Most Marvelous Sacrifice ever made for our freedom.  We have a very serious job, and even as I write this I am convicted of its gravity.  It is a labor of love that began with Him first loving us (1 John 4:19).  We've lived in the darkness – we know the confusion and are well acquainted with the pain of that life.  Each one of us has a story to tell of how Jesus took the incredible mess of our lives, washed us, turned us around, and marked us with His Blood – "Holy to the Lord."

 

Thank You, Lord, that we don't have to earn your love – we simply accept the Gift.

Help us to be faithful to the job with which you've charged us.

Help us to share Your love through our mouths, our hands and our hearts.

 

Have you ever seen yourself as a "priest" of God? 

How does that change the way you view your agenda tomorrow?

 

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26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:26-28)

 

19 We love because he first loved us. (1 Jn. 4:19)

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"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26)

Kenny Sullivan

(201) 218-0751

שלום

1/7/14

1/7/14

"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn't take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. "At midnight they were roused by the shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!' "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, 'Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.' "But the others replied, 'We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!' "But he called back, 'Believe me, I don't know you!' (Matthew 25:1-12 NLT)

Readiness. Are we ready? Are we waiting for the return of the bridegroom. We are his Church, his bride. He has made us blameless and spotless, we only have to await His return. He is preparing the wedding feast for us. These 10 virgins were given time to prepare, but the Jewish tradition did not give them much warning. When the bridegroom came to kidnap the bride in the night, it was announced by a shout and the blowing of the Shofar, then the groom would "kidnap" his willing bride, like "a thief in the night." But the bride had to be ready to go. And so must we. This parable is about being ready to go away with our Lord, to his wedding banquet before the throne of God!

Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself. [Ps. 118:24.] She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white–for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God's holy people). Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down: Blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who are summoned (invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me [further], These are the true words (the genuine and exact declarations) of God. (Revelation 19:7-9 AMP)

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Thursday, February 6

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Exodus 23:14–25:40

Matthew 24:29–51

Psalm 30:1–12

Proverbs 7:24–27

 

 

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:42–44)

 

After providing a stark and severe image of tribulation, Jesus discusses His certain return in Matthew 24:36–50.  He explains that “no one” has foreknowledge of the end of days:  “not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”  Just as the world appeared ignorant and foolish in the time of Noah, so will those who have not heeded the Lord’s call to repent and to follow Him.

 

According to Jesus, our life situation will prove neither an impediment nor a help for being receiving into the Lord’s presence:  “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken, and the other left.” (vv. 40,41)  In our human fleshliness, we may be tempted to rely upon our own “goodness” or in the outward blessings with which God has bestowed us.  Yet, only through an inner heart transformation and trusting in Christ alone may we become acceptable, righteous, and blameless in the Father’s eyes.

 

Jesus urges His followers to remain vigilant.  Since the day and hour of His imminent return are unknown, we may live in a humble fear and reverence of God’s awesome power and omniscience.  We often hear about how people who face terminal diagnoses allocate their time differently and more intentionally than those who expect to live forever.  Likewise, focusing on our calling to witness to the truth of the Word and the Gospel, the apostle Paul encourages us to “be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:5,6)

 

Graciously, God has not abandoned us to our own devices in remaining vigilant.  He has given us the promises of the Word as hope for the future and strength for today.  He has revealed the full extent of His love and compassion through the living Christ, Who demonstrated humility and sacrifice through His earthly life and self-sacrifice.  God has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within every believer, empowering them to “live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:12)  The Spirit fulfills God’s promise in Psalm 32:8:  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;/ I will counsel you and watch over you.”

 

How may we look reverently to the great coming Day when Jesus will be revealed in all His glory?  Turning back to Colossians 4:2, Paul explains that we ought to “devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”  Please consider those two descriptors.  In our prayer, we may express thanks for His provision and answers, but we stay watchful, recognizing our smallness in light of His majesty.

 

Many other passages of Scripture describe God’s servants as praying watchmen, in Whom they find security and rest:

 

1.       “O my Strength, I watch for You; You, O God, are my fortress.” (Psalm 59:9)

2.       “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord; I wait for God my Savior.  My God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7)

3.       “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint?” (Habakkuk 2:1)

 

 

In what ways are you standing watch today?  Whom could you ask to stand watch with you so that you may both have and be a partner to run the race with perseverance?  How may you find hope in today’s promise of tomorrow’s redemption and the imminent revelation of Christ’s glory?

 

Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your imminent return.  We trust in Your lovingkindness but wish to remain watchful so that we may honor You in our specific life situation.  Bring to mind where we could become more vigilant and more aware of Your awesome power and wisdom.  Give us discerning hearts, to make the most of each opportunity.  Send Your Holy Spirit, that we might be a reflection of Your grace and glory in a hurting world.  In Christ’s Name, amen.

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