May 1 The Gospel and the Flu

John 1  

In 1918 waves of influenza viruses swept through the military lines of the armies fighting in World War I to the civilian population across the globe. What's commonly referred to as "the Spanish Flu" is a misnomer. Spain was no more affected than any other European country, nor was it the source of the disease. This flu outbreak orphaned children, closed down schools and businesses, and left the nation without important services because of ill workers. An estimated 675,000 Americans died. And 25 million people across the globe died in just 25 weeks.

Airborne viruses are particularly deadly because they spread through casual contact with other people. You don't even have to touch them to get infected. A brief encounter with an infected person is enough to spread the virus.

At the very beginning of the Gospel of John we see how the gospel virus spread.  

John 1:41  The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother, Simon, and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ).

In that short verse you have the hope of the Western world. Notice that the "first thing" Andrew did was to share the good news with someone. He went out and enthusiastically and publicly shared his faith. The message he shared was very simple. Jesus is the Christ. The gospel message is all about finding a relationship with Jesus. This message is about Jesus and all the implications of him being Lord over our lives. 

Unless we get back to the gospel virus we are in trouble. The truth is most Christians never share their faith. They have been intimidated by the culture into remaining silent when it comes to Jesus. The result is that Christianity in the West is in a steep decline. A Jesus "viral" movement is the only hope. We must believe that all Christ followers have the capacity within themselves to share the Jesus virus with another person. You only need to be a Christ follower for an hour before you are qualified to share. And by us boldly and prayerfully sharing the message that Jesus is the Christ, we can start a gospel epidemic.

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"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, May 6

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

Judges 11:1–12:15

John 1:1–28

Psalm 101:1–8

Proverbs 14:13,14

 

 

Today, we begin our reading of the Gospel of John, which features the most explicitly theological discussions among the four Gospels.  In addition, John includes several long discussions on Jesus as the Christ, where he declares “I am” and thereby echoes God’s Name given to Moses in Exodus:  “the bread of life”; “the light of the world”; “the gate for the sheep”; “the good shepherd”; “the resurrection and the life”; “the way, the truth, and the life”; and “the true vine.”

 

I would like to highlight some significant verses from today’s reading:

 

 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made….  No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” (John 1:1–3,18)

 

The chapter begins with a glorious statement about the eternal existence of the Lord Jesus Christ - -and His pre-existence relative to creation.  This verse deliberately echoes Genesis 1:1, linking Jesus Christ with the creation.  For Greek philosophers, the Word (the “logos”) referred both to the spoken word and its unspoken counterpart, reason.  For the Jews, the Word connoted God’s “light,” “life,” and “truth” – the force that allows for the working-out of His purposes.  We understand that God the Son existed separate from God the Father but in full equality as God Himself.  God the Son carried out crucial responsibilities related to creation.  We understand, therefore, that Jesus Christ is not created but is Himself a Creator.  Capping the introduction with v. 18, John encircles Jesus as the true Deity, worthy of worship and the Person through Whom God would most deeply reveal Himself.

 

 

“In him was life, and that light was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it…  He  was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” (John 1:4,5,10)

 

The Gospel of John includes 36 references to “life”; no other New Testament book refers to “life” more than 17 times.  Indeed, Jesus declares Himself to be “the way, the truth, and the life” – the very means of approaching God and receiving salvation.  Psalm 36:9 similarly links “light” and “life”:  “For with you is the fountain of life;/ in your light we see light.”  John heavily features the metaphor of darkness (representing sin, evil, or death) with light (recalling forgiveness, goodness, or life).  We understand that, even with experiencing the “light” in Christ first-hand, “the darkness has not understood it,” and the “world did not recognize him.”  These characterizations suggest that an individual’s receptivity to the Gospel goes beyond mere physical sight and plunges into matters of the spiritual heart.

 

 

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:11–13)

 

While the Gospel came first to the Jews, God’s purposes followed after the promise of Genesis 12:1-3, which reads in part:  “…  And all peoples on earth/ will be blessed through you.”  This blessing would receive its most eminent form in the Person of Jesus Christ.  John uses the verb “receive” to indicate the idea of inviting or opening our hearts to Christ; it requires a confessing response and implies an inward and outward change.  While God has indeed created each person, receiving Christ brings about a “new birth” that makes the Father-child relationship eternally permanent.  That we must receive Christ to inherit salvation makes it impossible to earn forgiveness through our own actions; it comes only as a free gift from God Himself.

 

 

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

 

This verse touches upon Jesus’s amazing revelation of God’s character, specifically in the Person of Jesus Christ.  Jesus revealed the glory of God and demonstrated the breadth of God’s gracious and truthful character.  The terminology for “made his dwelling” hearkens back to the earthly tabernacle, where God had resided during the Israelites’ time in the desert.  Now, the living Christ has inhabited the earth, providing very real evidence of His existence, just as the smoke and fire of the desert times had.  As Christ-followers, we desire to speak the “truth in love,” copying the godly character of Jesus, who provides the very embodiment of Truth.

 

(The NIV Study Bible provided significant “meat” for today’s discussion.)

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing the Father to us and for giving us the opportunity to receive You into our hearts.  Thank You for Your abundant grace and mercy to us.  Thank You for showing us light, life, and truth.  Help us to know You more deeply through studying Your Word and hearing Your voice in prayer.  May we bring glory to Your Name as we follow You.  In Your Name, amen.

 

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April 29

Luke 24

Jesus in Disguise

This passage fascinated me.  After Jesus' death two of His followers were walking from Jerusalem back toward Emmaus when out of nowhere a stranger joins them.  The two men were kept from recognizing it was Jesus (v.16) and the first thing I thought of was "why didn't they recognize who He was".  Probably for the same reason I don't recognize Him during my day - I'm blind.  They were too wrapped up in the moment of the tragedy and retelling the story from their perspective. They weren't looking at the fulfillment of prophesy or the picture of the miracle.  The disciples were counting on Jesus to rescue a nation - they were looking for a king but they couldn't recognize His Kingdom.  Although the disciples were able to recognize superficial signs such as that it was the third day since the events took place, some women went to the tomb but didn't find His body, and there were visions of angels, they were unable to see the thread woven through the Scriptures that shows Jesus - The Messiah - is at the center of it all.  So in His love, grace, kindness and mercy, Jesus breaks it down for them.  "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself."(V. 27)   Perhaps He started with Gen. 3:15, and worked His way through Isaiah 53, Jeremiah 31, and a hosts of other passages.  It wasn't until He was at the table with them, gave thanks , broke bread and gave it to them that their "eyes were opened and they recognized Him" (v. 31).  So it just made me think - how closed are my eyes to Jesus appearing to me during the day?  Am I too wrapped up in the ordinary or focused on myself  that I miss the disguise of the Divine?  Am I not recognizing Him when His glory is embedded in what I've come to accept as routine sunshine?  This all made me think of the song "Jesus in Disguise" by Brandon Heath.  I've attached the link to the YouTube video.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VEyouQhBtY

Lord I pray that you open our eyes, wide as we can to recognize you when you appear to us in disguise.



Randi

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Proverbs 14:9-10

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.
Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy.

I chose this proverb for my comments today because it just makes perfect sense to me.  We are all embattled with personal issues; some far more severe than others.  Even though we reach out to others and try to help - it is only God who knows what is truly in our hearts.  God knows our hearts like an English muffin - He can reach every nook and cranny.  He knows if our repentance is sincere, He brings us joy through victories of all shapes and sizes.  He is the healer and physician who can mend our hearts and bring forth the joy that was promised by Him - just let go!!

April 27: Forgiveness and Victory

Judges 7:1-8:17

Luke 23:13-43

Psalm 97:1-98:9

Proverbs 14:7-8

Reflecting on today's readings, two thoughts came to me.  The first had to do with victory.  Gideon's troops faced long odds - odds God made even longer by trimming their ranks from an overmatched 32,000, to what most certainly should have been an overwhelmed 300.  But with that 300, because they fought as God ordered, God went before them and their victory was assured - despite their meager ranks.  

The second thought had to do with forgiveness.  If you are anything like me, you deal with persistent sin - sin  that, no matter how good one's intentions are, no matter how resolute one's repentance, no matter how firm one's decision to turn over a new leaf, keeps recurring.  And if you're like me, sometimes you find yourself wondering: doesn't God ever get so frustrated as to say "I give up"?  The answer came somewhat obliquely today, reading about the two criminals crucified next to Jesus.  They were not without blame or guilt; they were rightfully being punished for the crimes they'd committed.  The amazing thing is that, even at death's door, after a life of crime and sin, God's forgiveness was available...all one criminal had to do was repent and ask.  

Today, so much is going on to give a Christian reason for fear and despair - from the riots in Ferguson and Baltimore, to the attacks on Christians both in the middle east and right here in America, there is more than enough reason to feel like one of the 300 awaiting an attack by the multitudes.  The good news is we do not fight alone, and our God goes before us.  The even better news is that not only is our God prepared to forgive our sins, His mercy is more than enough to forgive the sins of those who oppress us.  

And if those who oppress Christians were to turn their hearts back to God and receive His forgiveness?  That would be a victory worth seeing.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Sunday, April 26, 2015


I had written the entire blog for today. All about the Israelites' disobedience and how God had to keep reminding them of all he had done. And then I touched some unknown button on my IPad and every bit of the text disappeared.

So here I am with a blank page in front of me and I re-read the Psalms passages before I could let myself get too upset.

Come, let us sing for joy in the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Ps 95:1-2)

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. (Ps 96:1-3)

Perhaps the Lord just wanted me to praise him today. Maybe this wasn't the day for an Old Testament lesson. Like the Israelites, I am reminded of all the Lord has done for me. In good times and bad. When I am down, he lifts me up in my body and in my spirit. He causes my heart to beat and my lungs to breathe. He sustains my very being and supplies all of my needs. I will worship and praise him all day. Every day. Until he returns and I will see him face to face. And that's when the worship will really begin!! Amen



Sent from my iPad

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Saturday, April 25, 2015

8 Barak said to her, "If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go."
9 "Certainly I will go with you," said Deborah. "But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman." So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. (Judges 4:8-9 NIV)

One way to look at the account of Deborah and Barak is to see it as a story of missed opportunity. I see Deborah - wife, prophetess, and judge over Israel - having a great relationship with the Lord. It is not often in Scripture that we see such a powerful woman leading God's people in this manner. I see Deborah being so effective because she is woman of integrity, who listens for the voice of God. In this "man's world" culture, she is highly esteemed and people from all over Israel come to her for godly justice.

However, I also see Barak, whose history and resumé we have no knowledge of. He comes to Deborah to hear the message from God that she has for him, to take on King Jabin's general, Sisera. The message is to go and fight Sisera leading Israel's army and "I will…give him into your hands" (4:7). He has the word, but he lacks the relationship with God, the faith that God is enough. He finds greater comfort in Deborah going with him rather trusting that God was already with him. What if Barak had simply gone forward at God's word and trusted God to speak, to supply his needs, and to lead him each step of the way?

I know that the Lord purposed to deliver Israel from the hands of King Jabin and Sisera, but what was his purpose for Barak? What did the Lord desire to do in Barak's life and heart? How much faith and trust did God intend to build as Barak followed Him? I've wondered these same things when I look back on my life and see missed opportunities - opportunities to take risks, to be on the edge (just me and the Lord). Barak leading a few tribes of Israel against the 900 chariot force led by Sisera is worthy of our respect. This man was not absent of faith (Hebrews 11:32). I'm simply asking this: how much more did God want to do in his life? More importantly, how much more does God want to do in our lives?