Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23
Luke 8:40-9:6
Psalm 71:1-24
Proverbs 12:5-7
The more time I spend with God, the more I find myself praying for our kids. Is there any more powerful motivation for a father to fall on his knees in prayer than the realization that he is increasingly powerless to protect and provide for his kids? Add to that the hidden fear his daughter may wind up dating a boy like he was when he was that age....
...ok, I just got back off my knees again after that thought.
My most heartfelt prayer for them no longer has to do with career or success (although I do still pray for that), but His protection, His guidance and His dominion over the hearts and lives. One only has to read about what goes on in school and in college, about employment prospects and growing competition, about drugs and alcohol, about the complete abandonment of God's teachings to realize how dependent we are upon God for our children's welfare and well being.
I admit, there are days I despair. Which is why today's story of Jairus and his daughter is so encouraging. What I took away from it was to keep praying for God's help - because if death isn't too late for Him to help Jairus's daughter, then it is never too late for Him to help any of our children. He will help when they have need and we ask for His aid, and He will help more powerfully than we can imagine. Jairus was looking for a healing...what he got instead was a resurrection. Other than if we stopped asking for help, why should God want to help Jairus's daughter more than any of His other children?
So I will ask. And I will keep asking. I will pray the psalmist prayer - "In You, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In Your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn Your ear to me and save me." After all, He is our "rock of refuge, to which I can always go."
Monday, March 30, 2015
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Thursday, March 26
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
Deuteronomy 5:1–6:25
Luke 7:11–35
Psalm 68:19–35
Proverbs 11:29–31
“In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?’ tell him: ‘We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the Lord sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors. The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.” (Deuteronomy 6:20–25)
In Deuteronomy, Moses frequently encourages the Israelites to “remember.” This command includes reflections on God’s past faithfulness, acknowledgement of His real-time presence, and commitment to exalt Him as Lord into the future. We will do well to heed Moses’s words as we seek to honor and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
Deuteronomy provides many extended discourses from Moses on God’s amazing provision in breaking the yoke of slavery that the Israelites had experienced in Egypt. God brought forth judgment on Egypt and its false gods and displayed great and awesome signs and wonders through the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. By so doing, God demonstrated His strength and sovereignty over history and nature and charted the course of establishing His people in the Promised Land, as foretold many years earlier to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the years after the Exodus, He provided guidance and direction through the cloud; manna, quail, and water for sustenance in the desert; and victories in battle. The Israelites wandered astray through fashioning the Golden Calf and taking up military campaigns that God hadn’t authorized. The people faced the due punishment for their wandering hearts. God had intended this people to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:6)
Turning to our daily lives, today offers us many opportunities to choose to honor God or to head in a different direction. There are many potential distractions. The reality of a sinful world will bring us frustration and disappointment. In these moments where we might be tempted to turn away from God and to follow our own path, it is encouraging to remember that God had known of these circumstances even before our creation. He sovereignly superintends over our lives on a moment-by-moment basis and will not abandon us. Psalm 23:4 promises: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,/ I will fear no evil,/ for you are with me;/ your rod and your staff,/ they comfort me.” This present-tense “remember” takes training and a deep knowledge of God’s goodness. I am learning that this action takes practice and grace.
Looking ahead, Moses calls the Israelites to remember God’s faithfulness and not to abandon God in times of prosperity. Having received God’s deliverance into the Promised Land, the people might come to view their blessedness as coming from themselves rather than from God Himself. The pride of achievement or wealth would potentially oversweep their hearts, turning their focus and praise from God to themselves. This loss of humility would cause them to forget God’s sovereignty, tumbling the nation back to submission to other nations and their own sin. While Christ the Redeemer would come to bring freedom through His sacrifice, the Israelites would face significant pain in the Exile period.
May we remember God’s faithfulness in the past, present, and future and find encouragement in His presence and lovingkindness.
Lord God, thank You for pointing out the importance of remembering You. Bring to mind those times of faithfulness in the past, Your abiding presence for today, and Your sovereignty over the future. Give us humble hearts of faith to trust You, and not ourselves. We love You and honor You as the King over all. In Jesus’s Name, amen.
________________________________________
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Saturday, March 28, 2015
Saturday, March 28, 2015 [Keesha Sullivan]
As Moses reminisced about the past, he inquired of the Israelites:
"What does the Lord your God want you to do? He wants you to fear him, follow all his directions, love him, and worship him with all your heart and with all your soul. The Lord wants you to obey his commands and laws that I’m giving you today for your own good." (Deuteronomy 10:12, 13)
As I read Moses question, I frowned. I thought about all the times that the Lord has told me to do something that was for my own good and I did the opposite.
Why do we as people have the tendency to think that we know better? Why do we go against God’s commands when it is for our own good? I believe this question is answered in Deuteronomy 9:23 where it says, “You rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. You did not trust him or obey him.”
It comes down to an issue of trust many times. Do we trust God to work out the situation or trial that we are going through or will we trust in ourselves? I believe that one way we can build our trust and our faith in God is through remembering God’s character.
After Moses asked the question in Deuteronomy 10:12-13, he reminded the Israelites that “To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the Lord set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today” (Deuteronomy 10: 14-15).
Pause for a moment. Think about the places and situations from which God has brought you. Think about how He has directed you through tough times and rejoiced with you in the good times. Through remembering our God as mighty, powerful, and loving, we are spurred on to trust Him.
God is for us! He gives us commands for our own good, because He loves us so much. God wants the best for us, because we are His treasured possession. God sees the past, present, and future. We can definitely trust His plans a whole lot more than our own.
Lord, help us to trust in You and obey You. Help us to look to You, from where our help comes. Help us to remember that the commands that You have given us are for our own good. Help us to remember that You love us with an unconditional love, and as we remember help us to be faithful to Your requests. We love you so very much Lord. We pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
Friday, March 27, 2015
March 27 Luke 7
Have you ever experienced grace? It is a life changing event. During my softball career our team faced many difficulties. The greatest challenge for a team is when the all-star pitcher gets injured. That happened to our team. Bill Cahill was on the DL (disabled list) and we needed someone to step in. In a moment of weakness I volunteered. The game went well until the last inning. We were up by several runs but then it occurred. It is commonly called "The Choke." The pitcher loses the strike zone and starts walking guys. Slowly the lead started shrinking, until the winning run was on third base, with the bases loaded. I knew the situation so I started pitching fat pitches. Those are pitches right down the middle of the plate. Well, the last pitch of the night was a big fat grand slam. The words "crushed, crestfallen" come to mind. So there I am sitting on the bench alone, knowing I had blown the game. That is when a little girl named Jenelle came up to me, sat on the bench, hugged me and said, "Daddy, it's ok. I still love you."
Those words of grace changed everything. We all need to have "grace giving" people in our lives. That is why I am a Christ follower. Jesus is the most gracious person I have ever had a relationship with. The "Cliff Notes" of Jesus' message could be reduced to one word; Grace. His message of grace was very scandalous, outrageous, and even offensive.
In the story of the anointing of the sinful woman we see the scandal. Jews in Jesus' day had 620 rules to keep to be important in the community. If you messed up keeping those rules you were quickly expelled and ostracized. These rules made it clear that there was not room for pimps or prostitutes. But now Jesus appears on the scene with his radical message of grace. It moved from the exclusion of undesirables to their inclusion. Instead of the message, "No undesirables wanted" grace gives the message, "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest." Jesus was always hanging around the undesirables, losers, and outcasts.
We need to grasp the impact of this message in Stamford today. Go out on the street and ask 100 people how they are going to get into heaven and 90 of them will say the same thing as the Pharisees of Jesus' day, they are keeping the rules. Every one of the world religions is based on rules. Religion is people struggling to do something, striving to earn something, working to get the favor of God. Pray the Tibetan prayer wheel. Light candles. Say so many rote prayers. Perform a certain amount of good deeds. They are attempts by people to reach out to God. But grace is God reaching out to us. Grace says that no one can do anything to merit heaven so you might as well stop trying. We are all guilty of religious prostitution. None of us can say we have never sinned. We all know that. Our only hope is God's grace. This is the radical message we must tell a lost and hopeless world.
--
"Multiplying leaders to change the world"
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
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March 25
Deuteronomy 4
God gave the people of Israel a set of laws - I'd rather view them as standards to live their life by. These same standards apply to our lives today. It begins with seeking God (4:29). Let's be honest, we are all ragamuffins on a journey - but Gods mercies are new every day and when we seek Him with our hearts, we will find Him. Hebrews 11:6 tells us "Anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him". In today's reading of Practice of the Presence, Brother Lawrence tells us "we should be careful never to separate ourselves from His presence" God doesn't move. It's up to us to bring our focus back to Him when we wander off. In the parable of Luke 6:46, Jesus talks about building our house on a solid foundation. Being rooted and grounded in the Word of God, and the Spirit of God, gives us the foundation we need. We learn in our O.T. reading that the people of Israel were empowered by Gods Spirit and when they sought Him, even after taking their eyes off of Him, He worked their lives. Because of Jesus, we now have that same access to God knowing that when we turn our hearts to Him, we will find Him. I pray for all of us today that we take time in our busy day to stop and seek The Lord. I believe He wants to hear from all of us.
Randi
God gave the people of Israel a set of laws - I'd rather view them as standards to live their life by. These same standards apply to our lives today. It begins with seeking God (4:29). Let's be honest, we are all ragamuffins on a journey - but Gods mercies are new every day and when we seek Him with our hearts, we will find Him. Hebrews 11:6 tells us "Anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him". In today's reading of Practice of the Presence, Brother Lawrence tells us "we should be careful never to separate ourselves from His presence" God doesn't move. It's up to us to bring our focus back to Him when we wander off. In the parable of Luke 6:46, Jesus talks about building our house on a solid foundation. Being rooted and grounded in the Word of God, and the Spirit of God, gives us the foundation we need. We learn in our O.T. reading that the people of Israel were empowered by Gods Spirit and when they sought Him, even after taking their eyes off of Him, He worked their lives. Because of Jesus, we now have that same access to God knowing that when we turn our hearts to Him, we will find Him. I pray for all of us today that we take time in our busy day to stop and seek The Lord. I believe He wants to hear from all of us.
Randi
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
March 24, 2015 - The Will of God
March 24, 2015 - Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
Let me be perfectly honest. I am not really into the Old Testament which is probably not a very nice thing to reveal. It can be long and tedious and the names are very hard to pronounce. I am unsure of my own family heritage as far as aunts, uncles and cousins, so the Old Testament can really be overwhelming….just like math. But, in order to understand what God has planned for us and what Jesus has done for us – it can be interesting reading if you approach it with an open and thirsty mind.
In particular verses, the Lord gave specific instructions to the Israelites on their journey to the Red Sea. As the Lord told them which direction to go, He also told them not to engage specific groups of people in war because He would not protect them, and what the Lord had given to the current inhabitants, they could not take away. Each time the Israelites received instruction from the Lord, they did as they were told. They did not engage in warfare with any of the peoples that were under the Lord's protection. They merely paid them for food and water and continued on their journey peacefully.
But then……they get to certain lands that were not favorable to the Lord. It was then that God told them to strike and destroy, because these lands were to become theirs. When the Lord gave the instruction, the Israelites followed, and they reaped the benefits because they were following the will of God.
I then came across this message in a morning mail from Derek Prince
"I want to tell you something that will encourage you greatly.
When you are doing God's will,
you are unsinkable.
You are irresistible.
You are indestructible.
Nothing can stand against you when you are doing the will of God"
That last sentence – "Nothing can stand against you when you are doing the will of God" really says it all.
Unfortunately, sometimes we don't know what the will of God may be and we act or speak from our own free will which could lead to our destruction. So everybody, listen up ----- you never know which direction the Lord will lead you, but don't be afraid to trust in Him and His plans for your life, even though it may be uncharted territory.
Let me be perfectly honest. I am not really into the Old Testament which is probably not a very nice thing to reveal. It can be long and tedious and the names are very hard to pronounce. I am unsure of my own family heritage as far as aunts, uncles and cousins, so the Old Testament can really be overwhelming….just like math. But, in order to understand what God has planned for us and what Jesus has done for us – it can be interesting reading if you approach it with an open and thirsty mind.
In particular verses, the Lord gave specific instructions to the Israelites on their journey to the Red Sea. As the Lord told them which direction to go, He also told them not to engage specific groups of people in war because He would not protect them, and what the Lord had given to the current inhabitants, they could not take away. Each time the Israelites received instruction from the Lord, they did as they were told. They did not engage in warfare with any of the peoples that were under the Lord's protection. They merely paid them for food and water and continued on their journey peacefully.
But then……they get to certain lands that were not favorable to the Lord. It was then that God told them to strike and destroy, because these lands were to become theirs. When the Lord gave the instruction, the Israelites followed, and they reaped the benefits because they were following the will of God.
I then came across this message in a morning mail from Derek Prince
"I want to tell you something that will encourage you greatly.
When you are doing God's will,
you are unsinkable.
You are irresistible.
You are indestructible.
Nothing can stand against you when you are doing the will of God"
That last sentence – "Nothing can stand against you when you are doing the will of God" really says it all.
Unfortunately, sometimes we don't know what the will of God may be and we act or speak from our own free will which could lead to our destruction. So everybody, listen up ----- you never know which direction the Lord will lead you, but don't be afraid to trust in Him and His plans for your life, even though it may be uncharted territory.
Monday, March 23, 2015
March 23: Finish the Journey
Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46
Luke 5:29-6:11
Psalm 66:1-20
Proverbs 11:24-26
It is an interesting journey described in today's Psalm. God displays His greatness, and then subjects the psalmist to the hardship of refinement and purification, before bringing him to a place of abundance. That was where I thought the story stopped - after the trials, when we were permitted to enjoy His abundance. But in today's reading, we see that isn't true. Because after we arrive at the place of abundance, we are called to come to the temple with burnt offerings, to fulfill our vows to Him, to remember the promises we made when we were in trouble, to offer the sacrifices we committed. And then after that, we are called to declare God's goodness to all around us.
How often have I stopped far short of the end the psalmist describes? I have allowed myself to get discouraged amidst the trials God has permitted me. And when He has seen me through, like the nine lepers, I've often forgotten the promises I made when I was praying for help; and I certainly have been remiss in bearing witness to His goodness.
All the more reason for gratitude then, what our Lord proclaims in the NT reading: that "it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." And that he has "not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance."
Thank You, God, for your constant, consistent mercy. May I learn to finish the journey You have set for me with testimony, thanksgiving and praise.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowds, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. (Luke 5:18-19)
These men were what I would call really good friends! And also men of faith because they believed that Jesus could heal their friend. This had to be no easy task for them. First they had to carry the crippled man some distance to get to where Jesus was teaching. We are not told how far they traveled but even a short distance would not have been easy. Now they arrive and find the crowd so thick that they are unable to get their friend in to see the healer. Do they give up and turn back? No. They are determined to find a way in and decide to hoist the man on his mat up to the roof of the house. Again, no easy task I'm sure. Now they are all on the roof and they have to make a way to lower the man down. So they must have had to break open a hole in the roof, large enough for the paralytic on his mat. I wonder what Jesus thought when pieces of the roof began to fall down around him. The scripture tells us that the man was lowered into the room, right in front of Jesus. And Jesus forgave him of his sins, healed him and the man left praising God.
For me, this is a good lesson to not give up when it seems that my prayers are not being answered. Ephesians 6:18 says we should keep on praying. These were men of action but sometimes all we can do is pray. For our own needs and especially for the needs of others. I really like receiving a prayer request through the Grace email so I can stop and pray right then and there.
Lord, I ask for the faith of the friends of the paralytic. And for that same kind of caring from my friends. I know that you have a good plan for my life and that nothing can happen to me that is outside of your will for my life. Strengthen me for the trials of today and for those to come. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Sent from my iPad
Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowds, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. (Luke 5:18-19)
These men were what I would call really good friends! And also men of faith because they believed that Jesus could heal their friend. This had to be no easy task for them. First they had to carry the crippled man some distance to get to where Jesus was teaching. We are not told how far they traveled but even a short distance would not have been easy. Now they arrive and find the crowd so thick that they are unable to get their friend in to see the healer. Do they give up and turn back? No. They are determined to find a way in and decide to hoist the man on his mat up to the roof of the house. Again, no easy task I'm sure. Now they are all on the roof and they have to make a way to lower the man down. So they must have had to break open a hole in the roof, large enough for the paralytic on his mat. I wonder what Jesus thought when pieces of the roof began to fall down around him. The scripture tells us that the man was lowered into the room, right in front of Jesus. And Jesus forgave him of his sins, healed him and the man left praising God.
For me, this is a good lesson to not give up when it seems that my prayers are not being answered. Ephesians 6:18 says we should keep on praying. These were men of action but sometimes all we can do is pray. For our own needs and especially for the needs of others. I really like receiving a prayer request through the Grace email so I can stop and pray right then and there.
Lord, I ask for the faith of the friends of the paralytic. And for that same kind of caring from my friends. I know that you have a good plan for my life and that nothing can happen to me that is outside of your will for my life. Strengthen me for the trials of today and for those to come. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Saturday, March 22, 2015 [by Keesha Sullivan]
Luke 5: 4-5 it says, “4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’5 Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’
Even though Simon Peter was an experienced fishermen and he felt as though he knew there wouldn’t be any fish out in the deep, he took a step of faith and was obedient to Jesus’ request. He showed his doubt in what Jesus was saying to do, but he said, “…because you say so, I will let down the nets.” He listened and followed the Word of God in spite of his “logic.”
I have found that the Lord asks me to do things that sometimes make me very uncomfortable and that seem to be “illogical.” He leaves the choice up to me whether to be obedient or not. For instance a few years ago, I had decided to go back to school. I had been in class for a few weeks, and I had been assigned a partner for a project. It was a night class and I didn’t know my partner or any of classmates very well. Usually, everyone left quickly after class ended, and no one socialized much. God brought my partner to my mind one night and said to me, “Pray with her.” I was pretty sure from even just our few interactions that she wasn’t a believer, and she only wanted me to call her for the project. But, with a slight uneasiness, I was obedient.
In Luke 5: 6-8 it says, “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”’ Simon Peter recognized the miracle that he encountered and the power and authority that Jesus held as the Son of God. Because of Simon Peter’s obedience, he was able to see God move in a supernatural way.
My classmate responded to my prayer with tears and asked, “How did you know I needed that?” In total amazement and shock, I told her that it definitely wasn’t me, but that God had placed her on my heart. We both recognized the miracle. We saw the power and authority of God. Once I got off the phone with her, I just prayed and thanked God for Him allowing me to see His mighty hand move.
Lord, we ask that you would help us to be obedient to Your call. Help us to put away our “logic” and trepidation and follow You with our whole heart. Allow us to see Your mighty hand move. We love You Lord. Help us to be sold out, obedient followers. Help us to die to self, and to live for You. Amen.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Thursday, March 19
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015
Numbers 28:16–29:40
Luke 3:23–38
Psalm 62:1–12
Proverbs 11:18,19
“My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken…
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge…
“One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
and that you, O Lord, are loving.” (Psalm 62:1,2,5–8,11,12a)
In this psalm, we find David speaking truth to his own heart. While God had anointed him as king over all Israel, he faced significant opposition along the way to assuming this role. Here, conspirators who wish to “topple him from his lofty place” had threatened him. The words of v. 3 suggest that the author may have grown old, implying that this attack may have come from Saul’s extended family.
The first two verses begin with a confession of confidently, tranquilly resting in God, while the last two verses give the reason for such trust. The psalmist speaks to his own soul, knowing with certainty that his soul may find rest (“silence”) in God alone. He relies completely on God’s strength and power, declaring God to be his “rock” and “salvation.” Given this anchor, he “will never be shaken.” The final two verses declare that God’s love has committed Him to His people’s salvation and flourishing and that His strength guarantees that He is able to do all that He has promised.
The psalmist’s words in vv. 5–8 minister powerfully to me. Here, the psalmist encourages himself to assume an attitude of faith. He implores himself to “find rest, O my soul, in God alone” and then backs up this exhortation with truth about God’s character. He finds his “rest” through his “hope” in God’s provision, to which he alludes by calling God his “mighty rock,” “salvation,” fortress,” and “refuge.” In spite of the challenging circumstances, he has chosen to rest his heart – albeit after self-motivation – in God’s refuge. He begins with the truth of God’s character and, then springing from his small faith, builds on his trust to stand firm in the shadow of the Almighty.
Perhaps we face flesh-and-blood accusers today, as David did. Other times, however, the battle may wage within our own minds, as Satan (the accuser) manipulates our own negative thoughts to create a tinderbox of self-doubt and distrust in God’s goodness. Last week, I touched on our choice in these moments: to trust God and His provision (as David in Psalm 62) or to despair. We may allow our “automatic negative thoughts” (ANTs) to march dangerously through our minds, reasoning that we have caused (and maybe even deserve) our own pain. Those ANTs accuse, stifle, frustrate, and destroy the “fearfully and wonderfully made” createdness within us, after the image of God Himself.
Encouragingly, however, David gives us a path to victory. We may invest in this victory by discovering the truth about God’s character through reading His Word and experience and then by speaking this truth into our minds, bolstering our small faith into a greater faith. We often don’t control our circumstances, but we do have responsibility over our responses to them. David’s great example indicates how we may respond faithfully to life’s challenges and to experience God’s victory (rooted firmly in His character), to His praise and glory.
Lord God, thank You for giving us a great example of faith through trials in David. Build this character of faith and hope in us, allowing us to overcome the accusations that come from the world, our own minds, and from the Evil One. Bring us victory today so that we may glorify Your Name and that others may see Your victory established in our hearts and minds. Change our hearts to follow closely after Yours. Show us that You are indeed our fortress, our rock, and our salvation. Expand our faith today so that we may trust You more deeply. We love You, Father! You are indeed strong and loving. In Jesus’s Name, amen.
________________________________________
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Wednesday, March 18, 2015
March 18
Luke 3:4-6
"A voice of one calling in the dessert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation"
John the Baptist uses verses from the prophet Isaiah (40:3-5, 52;10) to make people aware of the coming of the Messiah. John is the "voice of one calling in the dessert". I thought about the phrase "prepare the way for the Lord - make straight paths for him". I think John was telling people more to prepare their hearts to receive Jesus as Lord than to actually go out and straighten the road for Him to walk on. In order for us to receive Jesus as Lord over our lives we have to be willing put down the baggage we're carrying from the past, stop worrying about the future, pick up His yoke and allow Him to work in our hearts and in our lives. John's message was for everyone because God's salvation is for all mankind. What a wonderful truth to share with someone. I pray today that the Lord gives all of us someone He wants us to share His message with.
Randi
"A voice of one calling in the dessert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation"
John the Baptist uses verses from the prophet Isaiah (40:3-5, 52;10) to make people aware of the coming of the Messiah. John is the "voice of one calling in the dessert". I thought about the phrase "prepare the way for the Lord - make straight paths for him". I think John was telling people more to prepare their hearts to receive Jesus as Lord than to actually go out and straighten the road for Him to walk on. In order for us to receive Jesus as Lord over our lives we have to be willing put down the baggage we're carrying from the past, stop worrying about the future, pick up His yoke and allow Him to work in our hearts and in our lives. John's message was for everyone because God's salvation is for all mankind. What a wonderful truth to share with someone. I pray today that the Lord gives all of us someone He wants us to share His message with.
Randi
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
March 16: No, it's NOT all good...
Numbers 24:1-25:18
Luke 2:1-35
Psalm 59:1-17
Proverbs 11:14
When the Israelites who "indulged in sexual immorality with Moabite women" embarked on such behavior, do you think they said to themselves "I'm going to do this even if it is disobedient to God"? Perhaps they did - but I suspect that, at some point, there chose to justify this actions in their minds. After all, shouldn't we be able to love whomever we choose? And to express that "love" in whatever manner we choose? In language from today that might be unfamiliar in word but familiar in sentiment to the Israelites of that time..."It's all good...".
But it isn't all good. And the choices we make, whatever the justifications, will yoke us - either to God, or to someone other than God - in this case, the Baal of Peor.
When I think about the persistent sin in my life, I find this delusion at the root of it - the delusion that Godly obedience is less important than secular intentions, noble or otherwise; that Godly submission is secondary to personal gratification; that the goodness of an action is determined by how good it makes me feel.
For the opposite of this thinking, for the correct way of thinking, we can turn back to the reading a week ago, when I wrote about being overwhelmed, when we read about our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was overwhelmed and afraid, to the point He sweat blood. Gratification would have made him abandon His path; the right thing to do was what His Father asked of Him - however painful that course of action might be.
Luke 2:1-35
Psalm 59:1-17
Proverbs 11:14
When the Israelites who "indulged in sexual immorality with Moabite women" embarked on such behavior, do you think they said to themselves "I'm going to do this even if it is disobedient to God"? Perhaps they did - but I suspect that, at some point, there chose to justify this actions in their minds. After all, shouldn't we be able to love whomever we choose? And to express that "love" in whatever manner we choose? In language from today that might be unfamiliar in word but familiar in sentiment to the Israelites of that time..."It's all good...".
But it isn't all good. And the choices we make, whatever the justifications, will yoke us - either to God, or to someone other than God - in this case, the Baal of Peor.
When I think about the persistent sin in my life, I find this delusion at the root of it - the delusion that Godly obedience is less important than secular intentions, noble or otherwise; that Godly submission is secondary to personal gratification; that the goodness of an action is determined by how good it makes me feel.
For the opposite of this thinking, for the correct way of thinking, we can turn back to the reading a week ago, when I wrote about being overwhelmed, when we read about our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was overwhelmed and afraid, to the point He sweat blood. Gratification would have made him abandon His path; the right thing to do was what His Father asked of Him - however painful that course of action might be.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
"I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me. My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!" (Psalm 57:2,7)
One word rang in my spirit as I read this Psalm: F A I T H.
An American missionary in Africa wanted to translate the English word faith into the local dialect of the people group with whom he was working. He could not find its equivalent. So he went to an old wise man from this people, who was Christian, for help in rendering the word “faith” into understandable language. The guru studied it, and finally said, “Does it not mean to hear with the heart?”
I think that “hearing with the heart” is great way to describe faith. It is a “knowing” that comes from being confident in the character and nature of Our Heavenly Father. Faith does not rest in knowing what God will do, but rather in Who God is. I never know how anything will turn out, but I KNOW that, whatever the situation looks like, I have a Father who is a Promise Keeper, a Lover of my very soul, and is for me like no other.
I remember a time of real testing in my life. I was facing a huge decision that would change the course of my life and I was struggling to know which way to turn. I wanted to turn to so many different people for their wisdom, but God had clearly told me that those people would not have an answer for me - it was only going to come from Him. I had to trust him.
On my way to an important meeting I found myself panicking. I was so afraid of making the wrong choice and being out of the will of God that I was nearly paralyzed with fear. I was praying in the car as I drove, crying out to God, when one of the biggest tractor trailer trucks I’ve ever seen in my life passed by with a huge Scripture on its side. It read, “Romans 8:31 - If God is for us, who can be against us?” This was just what my heart needed to hear. Fear left me, confidence filled me, and I heard God speak on which way to go.
Life is filled with uncertainties. We never know what will happen from one minute to the next and this reality can be very scary. What we believe - how we believe - will ultimately determine how we respond. Lord, help us to respond to it all by faith and not by sight.
Friday, March 13, 2015
March 13 Remembering Trey Massey
Grace Church has been blessed over the years with many "Hall of Fame" people. Although a small church, we have been privileged to have so many giants of the faith become part of our family. One of those giants was Trey Massey. Yesterday Trey went home to be with his Lord Jesus. While we grieve his loss, we are excited about his gain. Because of the resurrection of Jesus 2000 years ago, everything has changed when it comes to death. Death is not a period; it is a comma. It is not a wall; it is door to a new world, a world we can't even imagine.
Today I would like to share with you the way Trey touched my life. Trey was bigger than life, and just being in his presence was awesome. He was the type of guy who when he entered the room, the room changed. He was the life of the party and a definite gamer. He would invent new and creative ways to play games. One New Year's Eve he asked all of us to write down three predictions for the next year. This is a tradition we copied and still practice in our family. Most of all Trey was fun. In a day when Christians are portrayed as dull and boring he broke that stereotype to smithereens.
Trey was a great husband and father. He loved Kelly and his three daughters. There wasn't a prouder father than when his girls sang L.O.V.E. at church. He also loved my family. My daughter Jenelle was invited over to their house for many sleepovers. His investment in people will be his legacy. The countless people he touched over the years will forever remember how he loved them.
Trey was a great friend. Whether it was sitting around a picnic table in our back yard, playing volleyball, listening to his Best of Bread album while in the swimming pool or playing tennis, it was great to hang out with him. By the way, I was never able to handle his cannonball serve to my backhand.
The time Trey had his greatest impact on me was in 2001 when I went through a significant depression. His words of encouragement and his acts of friendship were used by the Lord to help bring me out of the downward spiral I was in. Trey also showed up last summer to encourage me after my heart attack. His ministry to hurting friends will be sorely missed.
Like all of us, Trey had his frustrations and moments of doubt in life. But the Lord was the strength of his life. And the Lord's strength gave him the ability to always see the glass half full. I, for one ,will deeply miss my friend, Trey.
The take away from all of this is to live this day to the max. Life is too short to waste even one day.
--
"Multiplying leaders to change the world"
Thursday, March 12
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015
Numbers 16:41–18:32
Mark 16:1–20
Psalm 55:1–23
Proverbs 11:7
“Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22)
“When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes;
all he expected from his power comes to nothing.” (Proverbs 11:7)
Have you come to points in your life where you could rely on no other rock than the Lord Himself? Of course, we should take this attitude daily, as David models for us in Psalm 55. David sees God’s real-time intervention in the “battle waged against me” – a battle that has arisen from “my companion, my close friend,/ with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship/ as we walked with the thong at the house of God.”
As for the wicked man in Proverbs 11:7, any worldly benefits will become worthless in the light of eternity. Despite his expectations, the wicked man finds that “his power comes to nothing.” Where do we find our security?
Whatever the source of the conflicts we face, we will all experience moments like David faces as inspiration for Psalm 55. Whether our stressor lies in the abandonment of a close friend, natural disaster, career setbacks, or a “hope deferred,” we will have the opportunity to choose a path of pity or a path of praise and trust in God’s provision.
This week, I have found several junctures where I could choose to trust God or to despair. I have disappointingly chosen despair at times. Understandably, despair doesn’t offer much relief. In fact, it seems that the Evil One uses despair as a means of taking further away from God’s presence, causing us to doubt God’s goodness and the value of our createdness. This despair may become overwhelming, enervating, and debilitating.
In contrast, God gives victory to David as he retains his hope in his Deliverer. David’s main responsibility involves “call[ing] to God” and “cry[ing] out in distress.” I give thanks to God that David and other psalmists give a very real picture of the stormy human heart. While we may have the best intentions, we must be honest – as the psalmists are – to recognize that our hearts do waver at times. Yet, crucially, God is never far from the cry of His children.
“He will never let the righteous fall.” Yes, this statement is true, but we may misinterpret in meaning that we will never face challenging circumstances. In working everything for His good purpose, God does purify our hearts through these refining times. Chiefly, He desires that we find our satisfaction and “portion” in Him alone.
Lord God, we surrender our challenges to Your loving hands. Thank You for sovereignty over all things and that You do not abandon us. Work in our lives so that we may trust You more deeply and find our full satisfaction in You. Thank You for showing the hollowness of this world, yet help us to be wise stewards of the time, talent, and treasure to which You have entrusted us. Give us Your holy perspective in the midst of potential despair. We love You and give our lives to You. In Jesus’s Name, amen.
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Wednesday, March 11, 2015
March 11
Mark 15
Since the beginning of our reading we have been learning the main message of the Bible is God's redemption plan for humanity. Signs and symbols were used through out the Bible which pointed to the coming of a Messiah who would carry out God's perfect plan for redemption. When Jesus started His ministry, John the Baptist said in John 1:29 "Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world". So it comes as no surprise that on Passover as the sacrificial lamb was being sacrificed, Jesus Christ was being crucified. If we take a moment to reflect on our Old Testament reading we see that the law required almost everything to be cleansed with blood because without the blood there was no forgiveness. We also learned in our reading that only the High Priest was allowed to go behind the Holy of Holies once a year and meet with God. Now if we turn to Hebrews 9 we learn that when Jesus was crucified he entered the Most Holy Place by offering Himself to God as the only acceptable, unblemished sacrifice. In Matthew 26:61 Jesus said He would destroy the temple of God and rebuild it three days. When Jesus took His last breadth the veil that only the High Priest was able to go behind on Yom Kippur was torn from top to bottom - a symbol that we now have direct access to God The Father because of Jesus - the perfect, unblemished, Lamb of God. As Brother Lawrence tells us in his second conversation of Practicing the Presence only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us of sin. For this reason we should strive to love Him with all our hearts.
Heavenly Father I pray that as we journey together as a church to hear Your voice we open our hearts and our minds to the knowledge of the love behind the sacrifice that our Lord Jesus Christ who made it possible for us to come boldly before Your Throne of Grace.
Since the beginning of our reading we have been learning the main message of the Bible is God's redemption plan for humanity. Signs and symbols were used through out the Bible which pointed to the coming of a Messiah who would carry out God's perfect plan for redemption. When Jesus started His ministry, John the Baptist said in John 1:29 "Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world". So it comes as no surprise that on Passover as the sacrificial lamb was being sacrificed, Jesus Christ was being crucified. If we take a moment to reflect on our Old Testament reading we see that the law required almost everything to be cleansed with blood because without the blood there was no forgiveness. We also learned in our reading that only the High Priest was allowed to go behind the Holy of Holies once a year and meet with God. Now if we turn to Hebrews 9 we learn that when Jesus was crucified he entered the Most Holy Place by offering Himself to God as the only acceptable, unblemished sacrifice. In Matthew 26:61 Jesus said He would destroy the temple of God and rebuild it three days. When Jesus took His last breadth the veil that only the High Priest was able to go behind on Yom Kippur was torn from top to bottom - a symbol that we now have direct access to God The Father because of Jesus - the perfect, unblemished, Lamb of God. As Brother Lawrence tells us in his second conversation of Practicing the Presence only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us of sin. For this reason we should strive to love Him with all our hearts.
Heavenly Father I pray that as we journey together as a church to hear Your voice we open our hearts and our minds to the knowledge of the love behind the sacrifice that our Lord Jesus Christ who made it possible for us to come boldly before Your Throne of Grace.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Tuesday, March 20, 2015
Tuesday, March 20, 2015
In reading Numbers 14:1-15:16 I cannot understand why anyone would go against the Lord. He had shown His presence and His miracles to His chosen people, and they still turned to their own ways. They suffered the consequences. The Lord always showed mercy to Moses and showed His generosity and mercy to Joshua and Caleb. No matter what the Lord commanded, they obeyed. They even went so far as to plead the cause of the disbelievers. Yet, in the end, those who turned from the Lord met with death and destruction. You never know what you have until it is gone - and the Lord was not with them.
In Psalm 53:1-6 - "The FOOL says in his heart, There is no God....God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God - Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt: there is no one who does good, not even one."
There was nothing I am sure that was more heartbreaking to the Father, than to sacrifice His only begotten Son for a world full of people such as us. Yet as God looks down upon us today, as He did in the past, He knows that we are not good - but He loves us anyway. If we yearn to hear His voice, we will hear it. If we love Him with all our hearts, He will answer our prayers and lead us on a good, solid path to glorify Him. Deny or turn against the Lord......you must be crazy! The evidence is far too extensive not to lean on the Lord.
Even though I have been through difficult times and sometimes doubted His presence - the Lord has always been with me. Can you say that about anybody else in your life?? I guess it is only after years of living the way I thought was okay - that I realized my way was just not that good. When I read the Bible or any Christian inspirational stories, I get a calm peace that you can't find anywhere else. Glory be to God!
In reading Numbers 14:1-15:16 I cannot understand why anyone would go against the Lord. He had shown His presence and His miracles to His chosen people, and they still turned to their own ways. They suffered the consequences. The Lord always showed mercy to Moses and showed His generosity and mercy to Joshua and Caleb. No matter what the Lord commanded, they obeyed. They even went so far as to plead the cause of the disbelievers. Yet, in the end, those who turned from the Lord met with death and destruction. You never know what you have until it is gone - and the Lord was not with them.
In Psalm 53:1-6 - "The FOOL says in his heart, There is no God....God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God - Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt: there is no one who does good, not even one."
There was nothing I am sure that was more heartbreaking to the Father, than to sacrifice His only begotten Son for a world full of people such as us. Yet as God looks down upon us today, as He did in the past, He knows that we are not good - but He loves us anyway. If we yearn to hear His voice, we will hear it. If we love Him with all our hearts, He will answer our prayers and lead us on a good, solid path to glorify Him. Deny or turn against the Lord......you must be crazy! The evidence is far too extensive not to lean on the Lord.
Even though I have been through difficult times and sometimes doubted His presence - the Lord has always been with me. Can you say that about anybody else in your life?? I guess it is only after years of living the way I thought was okay - that I realized my way was just not that good. When I read the Bible or any Christian inspirational stories, I get a calm peace that you can't find anywhere else. Glory be to God!
March 9: Diagnosis - Overwhelmed. Prescription - take three prayers and submit to me in the morning...
Numbers 11:24-13:33
Mark 14:22-52
Psalm 52:1-9
Proverbs 11:1-3
Have you ever felt overwhelmed? If I were to characterize how I've felt the last week or so, that would be it - overwhelmed by the challenges and opportunities and responsibilities at home and at work, overwhelmed by all the things I have to do and the insufficient time and energy to do it in, and do it all with, overwhelmed by the success and the completion I hope to see, and by the obstacles ahead, and the fear the obstacles win and failure is all I achieve, by aspiration and hope and a sense of inadequacy and weakness. Ok, I admit, it does sound a touch dramatic - but haven't you ever had days like that?
Peter didn't know it - but he was about to have one of those days. The Man he'd followed for 3 years, the Man Who he was certain was the powerful King come to free Israel - that Man was about to be arrested, tortured and killed in the most horrible way known. And Peter's response was going to haunt him - despite having been warned, Peter was going to deny he knew this Man, to Whom he'd pledged his loyalty - not once, not twice, but three times - to buy his own safety. Easy to sit in judgement 2100 years later, but how many of us have responded sinfully in the face of overwhelming circumstances? I certainly have.
Here's the funny thing: also in today's reading, we can see why Peter didn't have the power to respond properly, and we have an example of the best response under overwhelming circumstances. Jesus was about to face the circumstances, the prospect of which were overwhelming to Peter. Peter was going to be a spectator - what he feared was all going to happen to our Lord. But our Lord was able to face these circumstances calmly, in triumphant submission to His Father's will, even. And why was that? Because, while Peter fell asleep, unable to keep watch for more than an hour, Jesus prayed. He admitted to being overwhelmed - "my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" - and then He cried out to His Father in prayer and in submission. And we see from today's reading that He did this thrice.
And where we see how Peter denied Jesus thrice, we know how the story of our Lord turned out. And continues to turn out. So when you are overwhelmed, take a page from our Lord's book - take 3 prayers, and submit to Him in the morning.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 15
Grumble, Grumble
Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down. (Numbers 11:1-2)
But the people continued to complain and wail to Moses about the limited menu the Lord was providing for them. "If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost - also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!" (Numbers 11:4b-6)
Personally, after the previous round of complaints had brought down fire from God, I might have been more inclined to keep my grumbling to myself. But not this group. Even their discussion of the 'good old days' in Egypt was flawed. They remembered all that good food at no cost but they had paid dearly for it with more than 400 years in bondage.
I can't help forming a picture in my mind of Moses, looking like an overworked parent with the children gathered around yelling, 'Meatloaf again????!' So he goes to God and proceeds to do some grumbling of his own. 'Why are you doing this?' 'What have I done to deserve this?' 'I can't do this all by myself.' 'Just take me home right now!' Hmmm. Do Moses' words sound familiar? I can hear them coming straight out of my mouth.
So God rains down quail for the people to eat but his admonition sure sounds like that frustrated parent. "Now the Lord will give you meat and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month - until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it - because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?"" (Numbers 11:18b-20)
Sometimes we have to be careful what we ask God for. He may just give you what you want - or what you thought you wanted. May I keep my grumbling and complaining to a minimum and spend more time thanking and praising God for the gift of his son, Jesus. There really is nothing more to ask for. Amen.
Sent from my iPad
Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down. (Numbers 11:1-2)
But the people continued to complain and wail to Moses about the limited menu the Lord was providing for them. "If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost - also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!" (Numbers 11:4b-6)
Personally, after the previous round of complaints had brought down fire from God, I might have been more inclined to keep my grumbling to myself. But not this group. Even their discussion of the 'good old days' in Egypt was flawed. They remembered all that good food at no cost but they had paid dearly for it with more than 400 years in bondage.
I can't help forming a picture in my mind of Moses, looking like an overworked parent with the children gathered around yelling, 'Meatloaf again????!' So he goes to God and proceeds to do some grumbling of his own. 'Why are you doing this?' 'What have I done to deserve this?' 'I can't do this all by myself.' 'Just take me home right now!' Hmmm. Do Moses' words sound familiar? I can hear them coming straight out of my mouth.
So God rains down quail for the people to eat but his admonition sure sounds like that frustrated parent. "Now the Lord will give you meat and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, but for a whole month - until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it - because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?"" (Numbers 11:18b-20)
Sometimes we have to be careful what we ask God for. He may just give you what you want - or what you thought you wanted. May I keep my grumbling and complaining to a minimum and spend more time thanking and praising God for the gift of his son, Jesus. There really is nothing more to ask for. Amen.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. In this way, they traveled and camped at the LORD’s command wherever he told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle. (Numbers 9:17-18 NLT)
One thing that the Lord has been dealing with me about is this notion of "believers" and "followers." Is there a difference? I think there is.
Many people say that they believe in the God of the Bible. James wrote about this saying, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." (James 2:19) To believe that God is real is fairly common. But what about following?
Followers are committed. They have committed to going where God goes and doing the things that are important to Him. They are never certain of what God is going to do. However, because they are with Him so much, they know how good He is and they trust His ways. Followers experience pain because they are so often pulled away from places that make them comfortable. Yet, they develop a new comfort, a new satisfaction - the presence of God.
The hard question that this passage forces me to answer is this: Are you a believer or a follower?
Think about the following...
Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. In this way, they traveled and camped at the LORD’s command wherever he told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle. (Numbers 9:17-18 NLT)
One thing that the Lord has been dealing with me about is this notion of "believers" and "followers." Is there a difference? I think there is.
Many people say that they believe in the God of the Bible. James wrote about this saying, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." (James 2:19) To believe that God is real is fairly common. But what about following?
Followers are committed. They have committed to going where God goes and doing the things that are important to Him. They are never certain of what God is going to do. However, because they are with Him so much, they know how good He is and they trust His ways. Followers experience pain because they are so often pulled away from places that make them comfortable. Yet, they develop a new comfort, a new satisfaction - the presence of God.
The hard question that this passage forces me to answer is this: Are you a believer or a follower?
Think about the following...
- Does it matter to you what God thinks about that job opportunity? Are you following Him there?
- Did the Lord speak to you about that new love interest?
- Does Jesus want you to buy that house or rent the apartment for a little while?
Friday, March 6, 2015
March 6
A riddle for a cold March day:
How is Vladimir Putin like a lion?
How is Mike Tyson like a pit bull?
How is Lebron James like a giraffe?
How is Frank Purdue like a chicken?
A hint for the answer is found in Psalm 49. But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beast that perishes. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies.
A few summer ago I received a very unusual phone call. It was from a very famous and rich family in Stamford. If I were to tell you the name you would all recognize it. What occurred was this famous man had died and the pastor of the church he attended was on vacation. They needed a pastor. They must have reached the bottom of the list to call an evangelical pastor. I never turn down funerals.
I noticed something that day. This man, who was worth millions while he was alive, was the envy of many people. But no one envied him that day. No one wanted to change places with him that day.
During the funeral service I shared the gospel message that God can redeem our lives. He can give us an abundant life here on earth and then take us to be with him in heaven for all eternity. But that day the gospel was not welcomed. These were people who were to sophisticated for the simple gospel message.
To have faith in the God of resurrection is to believe that when we die, out of the darkness of the night, we go to the morning. It's to realize that God can pay the ransom, and he will take us home to be with himself. And that understanding changes everything. For the believer in Jesus Christ, we do not go out into death and into darkness. Instead we go home to God.
So back to the riddle…
How is Vladimir Putin like a lion?
How is Mike Tyson like a pit bull?
How is Lebron James like a giraffe?
How is Frank Purdue like a chicken?
They all die is the answer. Frank Purdue and his chickens all die. That is what they have in common. But if Frank Purdue died with no more understanding than the chicken, then he's no better than any of his chickens in the coup.
Because of Jesus and his Easter victory we know that after death there is life, after the darkness there is day, it totally changes our perspective. It gives you wisdom, understanding and eternal hope.
--
"Multiplying leaders to change the world"
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Thursday, March 5
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015
Numbers 4:1–5:31
Mark 12:18–37
Psalm 48:1–14
Proverbs 10:26
In the three snippets from Mark 12:18–37, we find Jesus’s communicating about His Kingdom and its characteristics even during the week of His Passion. These three interactions point to three crucial outcomes for believers:
1. The Kingdom has a living King and includes His servants from all eternity.
In the discussion about marriage at the Resurrection, the Sadducees sought to trap Jesus in a logical fallacy. These Jewish teachers denied the existence of a resurrection, and the scenario they suggested offered a means of discounting the entire idea.
Jesus carefully pointed them to the reality of resurrection, grounded in the “Scriptures” and the “power of God.” He declares that, “when the dead rise,… they will be like the angels in heaven.” He firmly explains that the resurrection will involve spiritual bodies for those chosen for it. This statement suggests that, while our bodies will die, our spirits will live forever.
He also indicates that, in Moses’s encounter at the burning bush, God revealed Himself as the God of the living – “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” These faithful patriarchs had come to know God personally through His revelation; in turn, Moses would come to have a similar relationship with God. In fact, each faithful believer throughout the ages would each come to know God in a personal way. Jesus Himself came to reveal God’s character and love to us. Those faithful ones who had come to know God personally – with their faith credited to them as righteousness – their spiritual bodies would live forever as part of God’s Kingdom: “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
2. The Kingdom’s main ethic involves love for God and love for others.
Again, another teacher of the law seeks to place Jesus in an awkward position by singling out the “greatest commandment.” The Jewish religious leaders had added hundreds of commands to the Mosaic law and had divided on their interpretations thereof. A human spiritual leader might have revealed his biases or other shortcomings with this challenging question.
Jesus, however, pointed to the heart of all the commandments: love for God and love for others. Love plays itself out in obedience to God (John 14:21) and in looking out for others’ interests above our own (Philippians 2:1–5). Love does not demand repayment, but rather it joyfully serves. As 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a teaches, “love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…. Love never fails.”
Were we to live with this type of love, we would experience a deeper sense of God’s presence, and the world may see the Kingdom manifested within us. For the believer, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – and our faithfulness to confess sins and cling to God – brings forth His character within us. Paul describes this reality in Galatians 5:22–25: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
3. While the Messiah would descend from David, He pre-existed Him, suggesting His equality with God.
Jesus brought forward this same conclusion in another context by declaring His “always” existence in reference to Abraham, the father of faith (Romans 4:16,17) In John 8:58, Jesus declared: “Before Abraham was, I am!” This statement pointed back to God’s self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush, where God proclaimed Himself to be “I am Who I am.” (Exodus 3:14)
Since Jesus pre-existed creation, His character is therefore consistent and does not change: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your clarity on the Kingdom. Even with these truths, we still struggle to understand how the Kingdom works and how we may become more committed to Your purposes. Please reveal more of Your heart through our study of Your Word. Thank You that Your Kingdom is eternal and marked by love. Thank You for always being the same, so that we may always trust You. In Your Name, amen.
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