Saturday BlogPost (5/31/14)

Saturday, May 31, 2014 [Sabbath]

 

28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

(John 19:28-30, NIV)

 

As a teacher there was never a day that I left my classroom and headed home thinking that I had completed anything.  There was always more paperwork to complete, more homework or tests to grade, more parents to call, and more lessons to plan.  It was difficult for me to establish and maintain boundaries because I always felt like I was in work mode, desperately trying to reach this "finishing line."  I was so anxious most of the time, worried about whether I had done enough, whether what I had done was good enough, that I would dive into work even on the weekend, still trying to finish.  This affected everything.  I hardly ever felt like I rested and I would periodically bring work issues into my time with my wife (not a good move…).  I couldn't rest because I felt like I needed to finish everything. 

 

Then I learned about the Sabbath.  This changed everything.  God created the for us to rest…in Him (Mark 2:27).  It's not simply about resting by not doing work.  It's about refraining from work because God has already completed the work (see Exodus 20:9-11 below).  It's a trust thing!  We actually have to "deny [ourselves]" (Lev. 23:32) and fight our tendency to want to "finish" or "do" everything ourselves and trust God.  For the Jews, that fight began by remembering how God had freed Israel from the oppression of Egypt (Deut. 5:15).  That liberation was not won because the Israelites did anything – it was God who did it, He finished the work!

 

Enter Jesus.  Here in John 19 we read Jesus' very own words, which bring me so much joy – "It is finished."  Like the Lord freed the Israelites from the oppression of Egypt, Jesus frees us from the oppression of sin, a work that we would never ever be able to finish.  We could never attain that blessed status of "good enough" because it requires perfection.  The only "enough" suitable to God is 100% and we missed that mark on the day of our birth.  There is no penance for human sin apart from the Blood of Jesus Christ.

 

You and I need to rest…in Him.  We are anxious, worried, freaked out, intimidated, and restless, because we do not take the time to rest in Jesus.  He finished everything at creation (Ex. 20:11, Jn. 1:1-3).  That is what the Sabbath is for – to REMEMBER and REST.  What must it take for us to trust God enough to REST?  What else must He do to prove Himself?

 

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Exodus 20:9-11

9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

 

Leviticus 23:32

32 It is a day of sabbath rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your sabbath."

 

Deuteronomy 5:15

15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

 

John 1:1-3, 14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made… 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

 

Mark 2:27

27 Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

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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

May 30th

May 30th

'Jesus' trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn't go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn't be allowed to celebrate the Passover. So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, "What is your charge against this man?" "We wouldn't have handed him over to you if he weren't a criminal!" they retorted. "Then take him away and judge him by your own law," Pilate told them. "Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone," the Jewish leaders replied. (This fulfilled Jesus' prediction about the way he would die. ) Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. "Are you the king of the Jews?" he asked him. Jesus replied, "Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?" "Am I a Jew?" Pilate retorted. "Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?" Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world." Pilate said, "So you are a king?" Jesus responded, "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true." "What is truth?" Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, "He is not guilty of any crime. But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this 'King of the Jews'?" But they shouted back, "No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!" (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)' (John 18:28-40 NLT)

I am always fascinated at this conversation between our Lord and Pilate. The first reason I am fascinated is the outcome. Pilate knew Jesus wasn't a criminal, and I think Pilate might have even knew that Jesus was the Son of God by the end of the story. (Whether he cared or not is another question) What it comes down to is this question by Pilate: "what is truth?" In Pilate's mind, the truth was Jerusalem was on the brink of a riot; the truth was he didn't care if he had to kill an innocent man to stop said riot from happening; the truth was, if said riot did happen, he would probably be killed by Caesar for not keeping the peace. Pilate was known for his ruthless nature, and this time would be no different. But I think the question posed here goes a little deeper. Pilate did not want an answer, he wanted to acknowledge that truth was relative to him. Truth, in Pilate's eyes, was whatever he judged was right, based solely on what Caesar thought. Period, point blank. To us there is a greater question here. We should all ask the same question, what is truth? What is the truth for which we base our lives? Is it God's truth? Is it America's truth? Is it that we make up our own truth? This is a very dangerous question to ask, and it might even be scary the answers we might give, or receive if we ask the people around us. But it is a question that we must ask, and that we must wrestle with, until we understand the answer. One of the awesome things about this life is we are able to make our own conclusions, to be able to discern truth. We are able to not just follow blindly. So again, I ask, what is truth?

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Thursday, May 29

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2014

2 Samuel 14:1–15:22

John 18:1–24

Psalm 119:97–112

Proverbs 16:8,9

 

 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet

                and a light for my path.

I have taken an oath and confirmed it,

                that I will follow your righteous laws.” (Psalm 119:105,106)

 

“In his heart a man plans his course,

                but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

 

 

Based on this proverb, I would like to reflect on some Biblical insight for planning in light of God’s sovereignty.

 

By “sovereignty,” I refer to God’s dominion over history, the hearts of all people, and all eternity.  God is all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful.  Nothing is too difficult for Him, and no situations is beyond His gracious hand.  This truth should provide great strength and comfort in today’s struggles, knowing that everything we face lies within the purview and concern of our loving Father.  As Hebrews 13:5 encourages us, He promises:  “Never will I leave you;/ never will I forsake you.”

 

Yet, we live in “real time,” having to work out God’s calling for our lives as His sovereign will become evident, moment by moment.  When Jesus speaks of the “talents” in Matthew 25:14–30, it appears that other scarce commodities, such as time, energy, and focus, come under the umbrella of the master’s ceding of greater responsibility to the worthy servants:  “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness.” (vv. 21,23)  Please note that, for both of the worthy servants, the master offers the exact same recognition; their starting amounts did not factor into the equation.

 

How may we dispense the time that God has given us for His glory?  How may we plan in light of God’s sovereignty?  Please find a few thoughts below:

 

1.       Principle of counting the costs.  In Luke 14:25–35, Jesus explains that the disciples must count the costs of discipleship.  In short, we must make a rational, willful commitment to the Gospel life, understanding the challenges it entails.  As we consider time-consuming projects, we must similarly understand what our commitment will look like.  Practically speaking, it is helpful to brainstorm with a calendar or timeline to understand how the pieces will fit together.

 

2.       Principle of sowing and reaping.  In Galatians 6:7–10, Paul explains:

 

“Do not be deceived:  God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

 

We should expect only half-hearted support from God and others when we offer only half-hearted commitments ourselves.  True commitment involves staying true to our word, following through, being flexible to change direction as conditions change, and looking out for others’ best interests.  A holistic self-commitment to integrity and excellence will bear valuable fruit, but the results and timing remain in the hands of our sovereign and loving Father.

 

Preparation and planning save oodles of time and agita.  Pray first that God would expand and sharpen your longer-term vision.  Then, pray that He would give you a course to achieve that longer-term vision in smaller, shorter-term steps.  Then, break down those smaller, shorter-term steps into baby steps.  Then, consider the steps underlying those baby steps and chart a course for today.

 

Based on our personality types, planning may come naturally or very begrudgingly.  You will certainly have to find what works best for you.  In everything, however, please follow the wisdom of these proverbs:

 

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)

 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5,6)

 

3.       Principle of obedience first.  God desires that we would show our full commitment to His revealed will.  By trusting His Word and walking according to it and regularly confessing our sin, we may keep the channel of God’s righteous and loving voice open.  Disobedience blocks our heart from receiving greater revelations of His will, purpose, and presence.  When handling something as precious as time, we cannot allow disobedience to stifle His gracious hand.

 

4.       Principle of inertia.  A great encouragement to action is:  “When you don’t know what to do, do something.”  Another:  “God doesn’t drive parked cars.”  By being ready for action and starting down a course, we become agents for carrying out God’s rolling revelation.

 

The Christian faith demands action, not mere mental assent.  While there is definitely space for contemplative, meditational, and prayerful time, bringing glory to God in this life involves blessing His people through love and hard work.  The “beautiful feet” of Isaiah 52:7 presumably moved around to “bring good news.”  Jesus provided an excellent example of balancing time alone with the Father and time engaged with the world.  Seek God’s wisdom for your own life in finding that balance.

 

 

Father God, thank You for Your revealed will, unfolding daily for our lives.  Help us to trust You more and to use the time with which You have blessed us so that we may bring glory to You and to bless Your people.  Strengthen our resolve to Your truth as we live each day.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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Tuesday May 27

2 Samuel 12

John 16

Psalm 119:65-80

Proverbs 16:4,5

Saul had a lot of difficulties as king of Israel. Most, if not all, of it was his own doing. Time and time again he refused to follow God's ways. 

David was the next king of Israel and he was off to a much better start. He had a life-long relationship with God. He followed God's commands even when it didn't make sense to anyone else around him. God blessed him and called him a man after His own heart. But David wasn't perfect. Far from it. Yesterday we read how he got involved in one sin after another, from adultery to murder. Today we read how the prophet Nathan confronts him with his sin. I think David's response is the reason that God called him a man after His own heart. It's not that David sinned less that Saul did. David was an imperfect sinful human being just like Saul. The difference was the response. When Saul was confronted with his disobedience, he would make excuses. He would make no attempts to get back on the right path. Here in 2 Samuel 12, we see David fully admit his sin. He doesn't make excuses. He doesn't try to explain himself. He repents and accepts the consequences of his actions. 

Psalm 119:74-77

"May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,

for I have put my hope in your word.

I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;

you disciplined me because I needed it.

Now let your unfailing love comfort me,

just as you promised me, your servant.

Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,

for your instructions are my delight."

May 26: Bathsheba Moments

2 Samuel 9:1-11:27

John 15:1-27

Psalm 119:49-64

Proverbs 16:1-3

There may be others, but I cannot recall them offhand - occasions in the Bible where someone compounded his or her sin with further sin.  Cain, maybe?  Because after he killed Abel, God asked him about his brother, and he dodged the question.  Adam, perhaps?  Because when God asked him about eating of the forbidden fruit, he tried to deflect blame to Eve.  Maybe Peter, when he denied Jesus thrice...perhaps that is the closest.  But while those were sin, they seem to pale in comparison with David and his likely panic-stricken response to his adultery with Bathsheba, and the resulting pregnancy.  He tried to hide the sin by giving Uriah the opportunity to sleep with his wife, and so disguise the infant's paternity.  When Uriah did not take the bait, David upped the ante by getting Uriah drunk.  And when that didn't work, David then decided not to leave things to chance - he sent Uriah to the battle and gave explicit orders to put him where his death was all but guaranteed.  

Let's think about the magnitude of this for a second: David had been blessed abundantly, royally even.  God had protected him from Saul, a king who wanted to kill him; He gave David the throne, and gave him such abundant prosperity David was moved to want to build a temple for the Ark of the Covenant.  And He gave him victory after victory against the superior forces of countless foes.  And yet, David not only committed sin, he compounded it - his Bathsheba moment - not once, not twice, but thrice, eventually killing Uriah just as certainly as if it had been his own hand that had wielded the weapon.  

We all have our Bathsheba moments.  My parents know I have had more than my fair share - honesty, truthfulness and a willingness to face the consequences of my actions were very difficult for me growing up.  And while God has been a gracious, forgiving healer, I still find myself compounding oversights with excuses - to family, to friends, to Him.  And while they are nowhere near as grievous as the murder of Uriah, they are still sinful Bathsheba moments to be avoided.  

How to avoid them?  That is the life we hope to live, isn't it?  The fruit we hope to bear?  And in the NT reading, we find out how.  We are "already clean because of the word I have spoken to you."  So to bear fruit, we have to "remain in [Him} as [He] also remain[s] in you."  If so, "you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  It isn't our job to bear the fruit - that follows by remaining in relationship with Christ.  And how to do that?  The psalm today is helpful as well - by making His decrees the theme of our song wherever we lodge, by remembering His name in the night that we may keep His law.  

Oh, and no excuses: just an apology.  Sorry this was a day late. 

Saturday BlogPost (5/24/14)

Saturday, May 24, 2014 [There's An App For That]

Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law. I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. 

(Psalm 119:29-32 NIV)

I have a very high regard for my iPhone. I'm not a big fan of talking on the phone or texting, but I love the idea of apps. I use my iPhone more for its apps than anything else! Apps make life easier. They provide you with the ability and facility of gathering and/or manipulating information at the touch of a button. I don't know, nor am I really interested in knowing, how the apps work. I guess it would be cool to know, but all I really need is for the thing to work and assist me on my daily journey of life.

On the flip-side, I have always wanted to know how the Bible worked. I wanted to know the original languages, the jargon of the ancients, the culture, etc. The knowledge, at one point in my life, was more important to me than the faithful application of the Scriptures to my life.  I could have long discussions about God and His Word without having ever entertained the thought of how I needed to apply it to my life.

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding" (Ps. 119:32). 

The psalmist was different.  He had found out how critical it was to live the Word such that in his life he "ran" according to its path.  The language and words of Scripture are the "software code."  It's easy to get lost in this.  But, the Truth of Scripture, the Word designed to operate in our lives, was meant to be applied (the app). It was meant to be lived, not just admired. It was meant to be acted out, not just analyzed. Why? Because, if we aren't living the Word we are living "the world."  The Word in action is God's "app" for our lives.  I don't always know how it works.  All I know is that when I press into the truth of the Word and apply it to my life, with God's help, things change - good things happen.

Jesus, You said that Your words were full of the Spirit and of life (Jn 6:63).  Thank You for breathing fresh life into our circumstances and empowering us by Your Spirit as we put Your words into action.  Living Your Word is impossible to do on our own, but with You ALL things are possible.  We love You, Jesus…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

May 23rd

May 23

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. (Psalms 119:9-16 NLT)

There are few things that matter more in the Christian life than what David talks about in the beginning stanza of Psalm 119. This verse in particular: "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11) Why is memorizing scripture so important? Preparedness. The time will come when you are in a situation where you are down-trodden, or up against a hard situation, and you need the words of Nehemiah 8:10 to be pulled up from you memory banks: "Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!" Or you might be in a theological discussion with someone who is clearly wrong, and the Holy Spirit prompts you with the words of 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth." Scripture is our most powerful tool to get us through this life. We have been given a huge gift to be able to read the words, and study it. Many generations of people before us wish that they had the access that we have. We need to keep the Word of God where we can called it up when needed, and let His word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path!

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Thursday, May 22

THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

2 Samuel 1:1–2:11

John 12:20–50

Psalm 118:19–29

Proverbs 15:27,28

 

 

“Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a  single seed.  But, if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves me must follow me, and, where I am, my servant will also be.  My Father will honor the one who serves me.’” (John 12:23–26)

 

“[Jesus] ‘Father, glorify your name!’

 

“Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it and will glorify it again.’  The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

 

“Jesus said, ‘This voice was for your benefit, not mine.  Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.  But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.’  He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

 

“… Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.” (John 12:28–33,37)

 

 

In this Passion Week incident, Jesus addresses the crowds to explain about His impending crucifixion.  Their unbelieving responses suggest that they still held firmly to their image of the coming Messiah:  a triumphant human redeemer that would wrest control of occupied Palestine from the Romans.  The benefits of the Messiah’s coming would accrue to them without significant effort on their part.

 

Clearly, the crowds – and the disciples, too – do not grasp the necessity of His coming death and Resurrection and the hope of His Second Coming.  While the Scriptures foretold these events, particularly Isaiah 53 (quoted in John 12:38!), the crowds had chosen to form their own image or agenda of what would transpire.  By doing so, they missed the greater eternal truth and the blessing of trusting in, loving, and serving the genuine Messiah in their very presence.

 

Also, please note again that God the Father legitimizes Jesus’s ministry and indicates that His sovereign will – to “glorify” His Name through the Son’s death – included what Jesus had foretold.  The crowds experienced this event, just as the Crucifixion’s darkness, the Temple curtain’s rending in two, the Empty Tomb, and the post-Resurrection appearances would not appear in isolation.  The openness of these events allows all people to verify their authenticity, and historical writers make no headway in denying what so many had observed with their own eyes.  Furthermore, the New Testament Scriptures, which are themselves eyewitness accounts, emerged only one generation after the events that unfolded, leaving no time for legend to blossom.

 

What about this concept of a seed becoming fruitful only in death?  In a previous parable (Matthew 13:1–23), Jesus described the Word of God (the Gospel) planted in various life-soils would produce different types of harvests, depending on the recipients’ heart condition.

 

Here, however, the seed refers to life itself.  Jesus explains that giving His one life for the many would secure the salvation of all who believe.  In Matthew 20:28, Jesus explains His servant-hearted attitude:  “… [for] the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Hebrews 9:28 reiterates and recasts this key truth:  “…  Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many, and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”  Jesus’s sacrifice reverses the curse of Adam’s sin, as per Romans 5:19:  “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”

 

Jesus then calls His disciples to follow His example:  to “hate” this worldly life and to follow Him.  This concept of “hate” reflects on the greatness and beauty of loving God vs. the imperfect, unworthy world.  We are not called to reject everything in the world and become like a hermit; instead, we are to so love God and His Kingdom that other emotions become like hate.  Please recall that God’s anger poured out upon the Israelites for their frequent detours into idolatry:  loving the things of the world, including other people’s gods, more than God Himself.  Similarly, we are to abandon a “love” for the things of this world and to cling chiefly to Jesus.

 

And, given His earthly example, we should follow Him to people in need of redemption, regardless of their tough exteriors.  Jesus heals broken hearts and repairs broken lives.  Every person, starting with me, has been deeply broken by sin, faulty decisions, and poor attitudes.  The power of the shed blood on the Cross extends not just to a one-time salvation, but rather to an outpouring of healing and release for now and into eternal, so that we may become a co-vessel of redemption and reconciliation through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing sacrifice so that we may know You and experience eternal life.  Give us a deeper understanding of what it means to do likewise, to serve along with You.  Create in us a deeper passion and love for You, Your Word, and Your people, and diminish our dependence or relishing of those worldly things that distract us from knowing You fully.  Open doors for us to speak Your truth into the lives of broken people, so that they may experience Your full release and the joy You intended for them at their creation.  May You be glorified in all things and in our lives.  In Your precious Name, amen.

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Tuesday May 20

1 Samuel 26-28

John 11:11-54

Psalm 117:1, 2

Proverbs 15:22, 23

In 1 Samuel 28, Saul still has the same problem: God was not responding to his desperate pleas. But instead of trying to figure out why God was not pleased with him, he decided to go a different route.

By this time, Samuel was dead. Saul thought his only solution was if he could somehow speak to Samuel again. Saul consulted a medium was able to conjure a spirit. Most likely this wasn't really Samuel though. I'm not sure if this spirit was from God or from the evil one, but I know that a person's spirit does not return to the earth after they have died. This spirit (whoever it was) warned Saul that the Lord was angry and that he would be defeated by the Philistines.

From the passage in John 11, we learn that Lazarus has died. His sisters were grieving and asked Jesus why He didn't arrive sooner. They both believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but it was outside their realm of understanding to even consider that He could bring Lazarus back to life. And yet He did.

In both these passages, we see that someone has died and there was an attempt to bring them back. In Saul's case, he went to someone besides the Lord for help and ended up with an impostor. This medium did not really have the ability to reach beyond the grave. However, Jesus was different. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Not even death can contain His power. When He raised Lazarus from the dead, it was really Lazarus. There is no limit to Jesus' power and love.

This stood out to me because so often when we need help we are quick to turn to the impostor who doesn't really have any power at all. Turn to Jesus, the resurrection and the life. He has demonstrated time and time again that He is the only One in who we should be putting our hope and faith.

May 19 - The Value of Restraint

1 Samuel 24:1-25:44

John 10:22-42

Psalm 116:1-19

Proverbs 15:20-21

I have never been a man of great restraint.  Those who know me know I tend towards impatience, I chafe at the bit, I like to act, to fix things.  I feel that if I am not doing something to fix the problem, then I am part of the cause of the problem, and I lose my right to complain about the problem.  So it is no surprise I struggle to wait patiently, to listen for God's instructions, and I act precipitously, often without his command.

In that sense (among many, in all honesty) I am so very different from David.  Consider: the man he had loved and served loyally, whom he had never given cause for offense, and yet who had irrationally, unreasonably attempted to kill him - that man was standing before David, vulnerable...and David was armed with a sword.  He could have struck him down, killed him, removed the threat to his life, and the impediment to his ascension to the throne...the throne God had said would be his.  He could have done all this, but he didn't.  

Why?  Because in Saul, he saw God's anointed one, however much he may have been corrupted by sin.  And because God had not given him leave to do so.  There was no impulse in David, only a keen awareness of God and His will.  And, in doing so, God used David to help Saul recognize, at least one last time, what the righteousness Saul might aspire to looked like.  And it is interesting that, immediately after the story of David's obedience, we read that he was hungry, and God, through the sinfulness of Nabal, provided David not only with food to eat, but a wife as well. 

I pray God grant me and my family such a relationship with Him as David had, as to seek, to find and to obey His will in all situations, even when circumstances seem to cry out  for immediate action.

May 18

1 Samuel 23

In our reading today David is protected in a variety of situations. God tells him to leave the city of Keilah just in the nick of time. Then David is just about to be caught in the mountains when the Philistines launch an attack at another city and Saul has to abandon his pursuit. These situations are either totally random coincidences or they are divine appointments; those are the only two choices we have.

This week I kept track of the God Sightings in my life. Here are a few:

1. I pray for safety every time I get on my road bike and Monday my tire blew out. The coincidence is that it blew out going up a hill at 13 mph not coming down the hill at 38 mph.

2. I spent time with my mentor this week and the topic he covered was just the issue I was wrestling with for the future of Grace Church.

3. In preparation for Sunday God gave me insights that I have never seen before in the text. All of this occurred after I prayed and asked for God's help.

4. I sensed God telling me to prepare for the Chinese Bible study with a new strategy. It was wildly successful. 

In the end, either my life has a remarkable number of coincidences occurring or God is active in orchestrating all of the events of my day.

I want to encourage you to live a life of faith in the daily activity of God. We call these activities "God Sightings."  Our challenge is to open our spiritual eyes and ears to his activity, to begin the holy habit of seeing and hearing God in our world, and to live a life of faith that gives credit to Jesus for what others might see as mere coincidence.  This awareness of our Lord's presence is what we all need to rediscover in a culture that denies God's activity. A characteristic of all spiritual awakenings or times of genuine revival is when God's people become aware of his daily presence. May this awakening begin in our lives today.

Lord, I pray that today we would hear your voice and see your hand in all of the events of our day. 

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"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Saturday BlogPost (5/17/14)

Saturday, May 17, 2014 [Praise]

 

1 Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord.

2 Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.

3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.

 

I have friends that are die-hard basketball fans.  In conversations, on Facebook, or wherever, these folks can tell you everything about Griffin, Durant, or Carmelo.  Sometimes I just enjoy hearing them go back-and-forth in arguments about who is the best player of all-time (e.g.  LeBron or Jordan).  When I was younger I was a die-hard Knicks fan and could quote their statistics.  These amazing b-ball players are athletic heroes for so many people that many can go on-and-on about their exploits.  The same can be said for actors, singers, writers, etc.  There are people in our small world that we so admire for their great acts that we are almost always ready to boast in their greatness.  

 

Many of the psalms are written just for the purpose of bragging on the greatness of the Lord.  Psalm 113 has this very clear focus since it begins and ends with "Hallelu-Yah!"  The word for "praise" in Hebrew is "hallel," which means to "boast" or "brag." It's in verses 4-9 that we see what this bragging looks like:

 

(5) There is no one like Him

(6) Although He is enthroned on high He stoops down to see about heaven AND earth (everything, including us)

(7-8) He raises the poor and needy from low places to high places

(9) He gives the childless woman children

 

This is remembrance and rehearsal of the goodness and greatness of God!  It's keeping Who God is and What God does in the forefront of our minds.  It's boasting about how amazing the Lord is.  And, it's vital for our faith.  "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).  Our hope is in the faithful and unchanging character of a Good and All-Powerful God that has proven Himself over and over and over again throughout history and throughout our lives.  Praise fuels our faith that the Lord is still God OVER everything, able to do more than we can ask or think. 

 

I love basketball and I am amazed at what many of these great athletes can do.  However, they can't hold a candle to my God – the Lord, who created all things.  They pale in comparison to my Jesus, who conquered death and bought my freedom with His life.  I don't get much from boasting about my favorite basketball team, but when I boast about Our Lord I get strength.  When I talk about the power of God I'm encouraged.  My praise enlivens my faith to believe God will do "it" again; that He will stoop down to see what I'm going through and lift me up when I'm at my lowest. 

 

Questions:

1.     How do YOU praise God?

2.     What are three things for which you can brag on the Lord?

Here's a great song on praise...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvganA6nrf0&feature=kp

 

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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

I Samuel 15-16:23, John 8:1-20, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 15:8-10

I Samuel 15-16:23, John 8:1-20, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 15:8-10

Wed. May 14, 2014

 

            Obvious nikkie truth: I'm a people pleaser.  It can be one of my greatest strengths and greatest weakness at any given time.  It is one of the foundations of my job, creating the greatest experience for others by enriching their daily lives.  I say yes to just about everything: at work, in the many activities I'm involved in, to my friends, and to my family.  I have sacrificed sleep, time, energy, money, etc. to the point that I am so exhausted or overstretched that I have compromised the excellence and quality of another thing.  One of my greatest struggles in my life and walk with God is being that "Good (Christian) Girl" and keeping up that "image."  Just like I have struggled with pleasing others, I have always battled pleasing God.  I want Him to look at me with delight…that I am His Good Girl.  Last year, with a couple great girl friends, I read Emily Freeman's book, Grace for the Good Girl, and almost every page is marked up with underlines, marks, and "Nikkie!!" in the margin.  It's a book that helped me identify and work through how I can make God delight in me and how I thought I could "earn" his love and acceptance. 

 

            Proverbs 15:8-9 identifies two kind of people and the ways God reacts to both of them. "The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.  The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness." There are "the wicked" who still sacrifice and give up offerings, but their way is not the right way.  They may be like Cain, giving a sacrifice that is not true or pleasing to God.  They are doing the acts and the external motions, but their hearts are not genuine, humble, or given to God.  They are wicked.  Solomon continues these verses by giving hope and truth.  It is the PRAYER of the "upright" that pleases him.  It's not the great sacrifices, not the money, not the millions of activities I'm involved in, but a true and humble heart of prayer.  He GIVES his love (free of charge) to those who "pursue righteousness." 

 

            These verses were reminders to me that I don't have to earn God's love.  I already have it…He first loved me.  These verses remind me about what Pastor Scott talked about on Sunday, what kind of faith so I have?  A thimble or a bucket full?  What path am I trying to walk down on: the path of the wicked or the other path?  I will never have enough check marks, never have enough highly satisfied customers, and no matter how many hours I work, I will never be able to fully please my coworkers.  But that is not going to change how God views and looks at me.  All he wants is me: my prayer, my company, my all.  Hebrews 11:6 reminds me, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

May 16

May 16

The people said, "Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, 'Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!' Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" Jesus answered, "If I want glory for myself, it doesn't count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, 'He is our God,' but you don't even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad." The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham? " Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM! " At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple. (John 8:52-59 NLT)

A lot of people trying to argue against the divinity of Christ will use the argument that Jesus never claimed to be God. Actually, there are even books written about how Jesus never made that claim. The Jews that Jesus was talking to evidently understood exactly what he was claiming, and what he was saying was the truth, for they picked up stones to kill him when they heard him describe himself as "I AM." This is the name that God himself gave to Moses when Moses asked Him His name at the burning bush. (Ex 3:14) It is a name that the Israelite people knew, and knew well. And this passage in John 8 is not the only example in the Bible that the people, the teachers and religious elite of Israel, tried to kill Jesus for this exact "blasphemy." In John 10, Jesus says the words, "I and the Father are one." These people were the most learned people in all of Israel. They studied God, and Jewish history, and they knew what Jesus' claim that "I AM" meant. C.S. Lewis says this in his book Mere Christianity: "Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. ... Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God." So the conclusion that Lewis came up with, if we believe the Bible as truth, should be the same conclusion that we come up with. Jesus was not a mere moral teacher, He Himself claimed that He was God. I AM.

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Thursday, May 15

THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014

1 Samuel 17:1–18:4

John 8:21–30

Psalm 111:1–10

Proverbs 15:11

 

 

David’s confrontation with Goliath certainly falls on a “top” list of well-known Bible stories.  It defines the underdog-find-success genre.  Many times, we may avoid considering the God-ordained purpose of this event and David’s concentration on bringing glory to God before himself.

 

I would like to offer a few encouraging takeaways from the passage that may have meaningful application in our daily lives:

 

1.       Fight just battles.  David takes the challenge of fighting Goliath, knowing that God would support his mission.  He explains to Saul:  “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.”  Indeed, Goliath’s defiant, arrogant attitude shows his rebellion against God’s chosen people, thereby insulting God’s sovereign will.  David’s intervention against Goliath therefore serves to protect God’s holiness and to increase His glory.  David displays little pride or seeking of his own glory in the passage.

 

2.       Arrive prepared, but don’t trust in your preparation more than God’s provision.  David brings five smooth stones to the battle and significant confidence in his slinging abilities.  I chuckle at considering the ill-fitting, bulky armor on David, who then quickly decides to fight the battle with much less elaborate weaponry.  David’s vulnerability would actually serve as a strength here, as he would be free to launch the stone without encumbrance.

 

3.       Clarify your mission, from beginning to end.  In delivering the truth to Goliath, David reiterated:  “… I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied….  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”  David understood his purpose this day and Who had given him that purpose.  His words echo Zechariah 4:6:  “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit…. ”  Or also Psalm 20:7:  “Some trust in chariots and some in horses,/ but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

 

4.       Focus on the eternal, not the temporal, to stave off complacency.  David could easily have allowed success to rush to his head.  Instead, he pointed to God’s work in this great victory rather than his own.  David’s sin with Bathsheba arrived at a time when David had become comfortable in his success and the confines of the conquered Jerusalem.

 

5.       Build alliances with supportive, God-honoring friends.  Instead of isolating himself as Goliath’s champion, he sought out Jonathan, whose lovingkindness mirrored God’s favor towards David.  David and Jonathan’s covenant would act as a vessel of God’s faithfulness and protection to David in the challenging years to come.

 

 

Lord Jesus, we praise You for the strength that You supply for each day’s victory through Your Holy Spirit.  We recognize that we may achieve very little on our own, but, by Your Spirit, You provide a victorious life – in communion with You and to the blessing and nourishment of our souls and other people.  There are many giants that we face today:  sinful attitudes, depression, addiction, mourning, and unfulfilled promises.  Lord, I pray that You would give us wisdom to choose battles worthy of our calling as Your children and the courage to fight them vigorously.  Help us not to become conceited or complacent, but ever-vigilant to remember Your first love for us and the greatness of Your character.  To You be all glory, honor, and praise forever.  Amen.

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