Today's passages: John 15 & 16:1-16
Scripture:
"When the helper comes, who I will send to you from the Father...And He will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness and judgment." John 15:26 & 16:8
Observation:
Jesus did not leave us empty handed. Upon His return to heaven, this promise was given to us; the Helper. A helper to replace the role Jesus played in the life of the disciples. The Holy Spirit of God.
Application.
When I think about the role Jesus played in the life of the disciples, I think about it terms of his relationship with them. Jesus walked ahead of them, modeled the right things, empowered them and instructed them. His leadership with them was very conversational. He was constantly talking with them. As I study this scripture and think of the role of the Holy Spirit in my life, I realize that there are three main ways I must look to the Holy Spirit in my life.
The first is concerning sin. This covers all the "what not to do's". This was a big issue in Jesus' relationship with the disciples. He helped them sort through the legalistic garbage of the day and understand what true sin was.
The second is concerning righteousness. This covers purity. There is a huge gap between religious righteousness and the righteousness modeled by Jesus. My relationship with Jesus makes me righteous. The attitudes, values, beliefs, and motivations of my heart are where this righteousness must be reflected. The Holy Spirit is here to train me in how to allow those changes to take place.
The third is concerning judgment. When I think about decisions that I make on a daily basis, I realize that everything which occurs in my life is ushered in my a choice I made. There is no a single thing in my life that can't be traced back to something I chose to do. Some of these decisions are made consciously and others are so routine I do not even realize I made them. The Holy Spirit is here to help me capture every choice and to live my life alert to the work of my Father. Good judgment is essential to living a life of obedience.
Prayer:
There are many days that I find myself feeling quite lonely. I get lost, confused and beat down by the weight of living in this fallen world. In those moments I often wish I had a clear answer from You. Better direction. A tangible presence.
As I study Your word this morning I am taken back to the promise of Your Son to send a Helper and am convicted of just how little impact that Helper has on my daily life. I pray that You open my mind and heart to learn how to connect with this promised Helper.
The Holy Spirit was given to me to serve just as Jesus served the disciples. I pray that I learn to hear His voice speaking to me about sin, righteousness and good judgment.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Not Knowing
Today's Passage: John 12.
Scripture:
"Now My soul has become troubled ; and what shall I say, 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name. John 12:27-28
Observation:
Earlier in this chapter verses 12 - 19 describe Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. It was nothing short of spectacular. People lined the streets cheering and celebrating the arrival, not of Jesus, but of their perceptions around what Jesus was going to do for them. They were not thinking about the will of God but instead were focused on what they were going to get out of the deal.
Jesus on the other hand was focused on His mission. These words recorded by John follow the celebration given to Jesus upon His return to Jerusalem. This celebration was so over the top that even the enemies of Jesus admitted defeat. I know that he had to be tempted, but Jesus stayed the course. He knew what God desired and that was all he sought.
Application:
There are a few things that stick out to me in this passage. First, I must seek the will of my Father. Outside of knowing what God desires for my life, there is nothing to ground me. Nothing to put parameters around my thinking. I am totally open to anything as being a possible invitation from God. This leads to a lot of confusion.
Second, I need to pay attention to pain. I hate pain. As the first signs of a headache appear, I start popping pills to shut it down. I do the same in my spiritual life. As soon as I start to experience some type of discomfort in my life, I begin praying to God for it to go away. In this passage, Jesus models a different example. He walked towards his fear, pain and discomfort because He knew that was what God had for Him. It was His call. Not all assignments are fun or comfortable.
Finally, it is not about my will. Jesus did not care to save His life. He was ready to offer it up freely. He understood that His life was not about what He wanted; it was about what His Father desired.
Prayer:
I would have taken the throne. It shames me to say it, but the parade of people would have gotten me. As rode into town to the cheers of all the people, my mission would have shifted and I would have allowed the hoopla to carry me away.
That is the danger of not knowing Your will. So many times I approach You in prayer, thinking I know what needs to happen. Then, I just serve You the answer and ask that You bless it.
I recognize that as a problem and confess it to you as sin. I also ask for Your help. There is no way I can lay down my ambitions unless You replace them. There is no way I can live my life without my own goals, unless You give me Yours. And there is no way I can get to any close to walking in obedience unless You take over the quiet times of my life and speak to me in a real, tangible way.
My soul longs to sit with You and talk as one talks to a loved one. I desire for my times with You to be as intimate as any experience on earth. I am not satisfied to be where I am. I want to be closer to You and more grounded in Your will. Please take away the confusion and give me clear thoughts, replace my doubts with affirmation, and take my desire for comfort and redirect it towards a pursuit after Your will.
Scripture:
"Now My soul has become troubled ; and what shall I say, 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name. John 12:27-28
Observation:
Earlier in this chapter verses 12 - 19 describe Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. It was nothing short of spectacular. People lined the streets cheering and celebrating the arrival, not of Jesus, but of their perceptions around what Jesus was going to do for them. They were not thinking about the will of God but instead were focused on what they were going to get out of the deal.
Jesus on the other hand was focused on His mission. These words recorded by John follow the celebration given to Jesus upon His return to Jerusalem. This celebration was so over the top that even the enemies of Jesus admitted defeat. I know that he had to be tempted, but Jesus stayed the course. He knew what God desired and that was all he sought.
Application:
There are a few things that stick out to me in this passage. First, I must seek the will of my Father. Outside of knowing what God desires for my life, there is nothing to ground me. Nothing to put parameters around my thinking. I am totally open to anything as being a possible invitation from God. This leads to a lot of confusion.
Second, I need to pay attention to pain. I hate pain. As the first signs of a headache appear, I start popping pills to shut it down. I do the same in my spiritual life. As soon as I start to experience some type of discomfort in my life, I begin praying to God for it to go away. In this passage, Jesus models a different example. He walked towards his fear, pain and discomfort because He knew that was what God had for Him. It was His call. Not all assignments are fun or comfortable.
Finally, it is not about my will. Jesus did not care to save His life. He was ready to offer it up freely. He understood that His life was not about what He wanted; it was about what His Father desired.
Prayer:
I would have taken the throne. It shames me to say it, but the parade of people would have gotten me. As rode into town to the cheers of all the people, my mission would have shifted and I would have allowed the hoopla to carry me away.
That is the danger of not knowing Your will. So many times I approach You in prayer, thinking I know what needs to happen. Then, I just serve You the answer and ask that You bless it.
I recognize that as a problem and confess it to you as sin. I also ask for Your help. There is no way I can lay down my ambitions unless You replace them. There is no way I can live my life without my own goals, unless You give me Yours. And there is no way I can get to any close to walking in obedience unless You take over the quiet times of my life and speak to me in a real, tangible way.
My soul longs to sit with You and talk as one talks to a loved one. I desire for my times with You to be as intimate as any experience on earth. I am not satisfied to be where I am. I want to be closer to You and more grounded in Your will. Please take away the confusion and give me clear thoughts, replace my doubts with affirmation, and take my desire for comfort and redirect it towards a pursuit after Your will.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Dark Storms
Today's passage: John 5:16-47 & John 6:16-24
Scripture:
"It had already become dark and Jesus had not yet come to them." John 6:17
Observation:
The disciples expected Jesus to show. When He did not, they set out on their own. Things went from bad to worse. It was dark. They could not find Jesus. It was storming. Things were getting pretty rough for them.
I really relate to this story. Especially when it says it became dark and Jesus had not yet come. There are several places in my life right not where I feel like I am alone, in the dark, on a storm tossed sea. Helplessness and hopelessness pursue me. Fatigue keeps calling on me to just lay down. Frustrations mount as I wonder where Jesus is in the middle of all this. Questions began to surface. Doubts set in. My anger boils.
Application:
I hate these types of situations. People often panic over the storms of nature, but not me. I can handle, track or predict them. It is the storms of life that freak me out. They're seldom are something I can handle, track or predict. They come at the oddest of moments and there is no way to know when they will end.
This morning, I am reminded of a few important things. First, I need to be walking with Christ. Many times I have turned to God only after a storm hit and I needed help. This is not the best of times for this. I need to daily guard where I stand with God and pursue him continually.
Second, I need to learn to expect darkness and storms. They will happen. It does not matter what I read, what I pray, or what anyone else says; the storms of life are inevitable. This does not mean that I live life in dread, but I do need to develop a healthy acceptance of these things as being part of my growth and development.
Third, I need to learn to balance seeking the Lord while working out of the things I face. When the disciples see Jesus, they were not just sitting in the boat doing nothing. They had not thrown down their oars. They were not waiting on death. They were rowing the boat and alertly watching what was going on around them. That is the same lesson I must apply. Regardless of what situation I face, I must strive to keep going and never stop expecting God to show up.
Prayer:
Father there are areas of my life right now that are dark, stormy places. Many nights I sit alone, wrestling with desperation, and struggling to find hope. My energy has fades and I really feel like I am running on fumes.
I have been in these moments before and I am grateful for all You have taught me, but I still do not like it and I do not understand it. But, I respect the path You have placed me on.
I confess before You today that You are worthy of my praise, You alone are able to deliver, and that the struggles of this life are a cheap price to pray for the relationship I have with You now and are counted as nothing when compared to the life that is to come.
I ask that You strengthen me today to handle the things that come my way. In the darkest of moments, when the storm is at it greatest, I pray that You fill my heart with excitement and anticipation as I await Your deliverance.
Scripture:
"It had already become dark and Jesus had not yet come to them." John 6:17
Observation:
The disciples expected Jesus to show. When He did not, they set out on their own. Things went from bad to worse. It was dark. They could not find Jesus. It was storming. Things were getting pretty rough for them.
I really relate to this story. Especially when it says it became dark and Jesus had not yet come. There are several places in my life right not where I feel like I am alone, in the dark, on a storm tossed sea. Helplessness and hopelessness pursue me. Fatigue keeps calling on me to just lay down. Frustrations mount as I wonder where Jesus is in the middle of all this. Questions began to surface. Doubts set in. My anger boils.
Application:
I hate these types of situations. People often panic over the storms of nature, but not me. I can handle, track or predict them. It is the storms of life that freak me out. They're seldom are something I can handle, track or predict. They come at the oddest of moments and there is no way to know when they will end.
This morning, I am reminded of a few important things. First, I need to be walking with Christ. Many times I have turned to God only after a storm hit and I needed help. This is not the best of times for this. I need to daily guard where I stand with God and pursue him continually.
Second, I need to learn to expect darkness and storms. They will happen. It does not matter what I read, what I pray, or what anyone else says; the storms of life are inevitable. This does not mean that I live life in dread, but I do need to develop a healthy acceptance of these things as being part of my growth and development.
Third, I need to learn to balance seeking the Lord while working out of the things I face. When the disciples see Jesus, they were not just sitting in the boat doing nothing. They had not thrown down their oars. They were not waiting on death. They were rowing the boat and alertly watching what was going on around them. That is the same lesson I must apply. Regardless of what situation I face, I must strive to keep going and never stop expecting God to show up.
Prayer:
Father there are areas of my life right now that are dark, stormy places. Many nights I sit alone, wrestling with desperation, and struggling to find hope. My energy has fades and I really feel like I am running on fumes.
I have been in these moments before and I am grateful for all You have taught me, but I still do not like it and I do not understand it. But, I respect the path You have placed me on.
I confess before You today that You are worthy of my praise, You alone are able to deliver, and that the struggles of this life are a cheap price to pray for the relationship I have with You now and are counted as nothing when compared to the life that is to come.
I ask that You strengthen me today to handle the things that come my way. In the darkest of moments, when the storm is at it greatest, I pray that You fill my heart with excitement and anticipation as I await Your deliverance.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Misused Strength
Today's Passages: 1 Peter 1 & 4
Scripture:
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13
Observation:
Prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit and fix your hope. Three simple commands, three really difficult orders to obey.
Application:
The first order in this passage is to prepare my mind for action. Given that I am an adult who suffers with ADD; this is not so easy for me. My mind is all over the place. It often feels like I'm trying to watch TV with my finger holding down on the channel button. The randomness with which my mind operates creates issues for me being prepared.
That said, I believe that the world is wrong in saying that my mind is dysfunctional. I think that God wired me to be who I am. His word tells me that I am beautifully and wonderfully made. He tells me that he formed me. His word also tells me that He does not ask me to do something that I am not capable of completing. Instead of thinking of all the reasons that I can't do this, I need to focus on the things I know I can do.
The second order in this passage is to keep sober in spirit. I have a temper. Actually that is a bit of an under statement, sort of like saying the stock market has some losses. Certain things flip a switch inside of me and I can get ticked in a hurry. I have worked on this over the years and gotten much better at controlling it. But as I think about it this morning I realize that I have only gotten better at outward expressions of my temper because I still carry a lot of inner anger.
Being sober spiritually seems to me to mean that I maintain control of my emotions and priorities. It is ok to have anger as long as I harness into passion. It is ok to get my feathers ruffled as long as it is not based on self-centered pride.
The third order in this passage is to fix my hope completely Christ. Of the three, this one contains the most challenges. There are so many things in the world that compete with this. Money. Advancement. Possessions. Family. Pleasure. Trips. Hobbies. Entertainment.
As I look at that list I realize that there is not a single thing there that is innately evil. These things only become evil when they are misused. There are many ways to misuse them, but this morning I am really thinking about the times I put my hope in these things. There are moments when I think if I only had _____; then I would feel better. When I do this, I am fixing my hope in something other than God.
Prayer:
Sometimes when I assess myself it is tempting to wonder what You were thinking when You designed me. So much about my nature seems to work against me succeeding. The randomness of my thoughts, the explosiveness of my emotions, and the my heart's ability to dream come together to create the core of who I am. I have spent the majority of my life fighting against these things.
As I sit here this morning I realize two mistakes in my approach. First, I can't do it on my own. There is absolutely nothing I can do on my own to change anything about myself. The second thing I realize is that I am not broken. You made me to be who I am. I will always have random thoughts every three seconds and lack the ability to pay attention. My emotions will never be even and smooth. My heart will always dream huge dreams and so I will never be good with staying put. These three things are the abc's of who I am. They are my core strengths.
I ask that You help me learn how to use them for Your glory and give me the strength to avoid their ability to tear me down. I know that You equipped me with these abilities for a certain purpose and I ask that my life come into alignment with that. Help me to gain control of these misused strengths and become the man You desire me to be. A man whose mind is prepared for action, whose spirit is sober and whose hope is set on You.
Scripture:
"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13
Observation:
Prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit and fix your hope. Three simple commands, three really difficult orders to obey.
Application:
The first order in this passage is to prepare my mind for action. Given that I am an adult who suffers with ADD; this is not so easy for me. My mind is all over the place. It often feels like I'm trying to watch TV with my finger holding down on the channel button. The randomness with which my mind operates creates issues for me being prepared.
That said, I believe that the world is wrong in saying that my mind is dysfunctional. I think that God wired me to be who I am. His word tells me that I am beautifully and wonderfully made. He tells me that he formed me. His word also tells me that He does not ask me to do something that I am not capable of completing. Instead of thinking of all the reasons that I can't do this, I need to focus on the things I know I can do.
The second order in this passage is to keep sober in spirit. I have a temper. Actually that is a bit of an under statement, sort of like saying the stock market has some losses. Certain things flip a switch inside of me and I can get ticked in a hurry. I have worked on this over the years and gotten much better at controlling it. But as I think about it this morning I realize that I have only gotten better at outward expressions of my temper because I still carry a lot of inner anger.
Being sober spiritually seems to me to mean that I maintain control of my emotions and priorities. It is ok to have anger as long as I harness into passion. It is ok to get my feathers ruffled as long as it is not based on self-centered pride.
The third order in this passage is to fix my hope completely Christ. Of the three, this one contains the most challenges. There are so many things in the world that compete with this. Money. Advancement. Possessions. Family. Pleasure. Trips. Hobbies. Entertainment.
As I look at that list I realize that there is not a single thing there that is innately evil. These things only become evil when they are misused. There are many ways to misuse them, but this morning I am really thinking about the times I put my hope in these things. There are moments when I think if I only had _____; then I would feel better. When I do this, I am fixing my hope in something other than God.
Prayer:
Sometimes when I assess myself it is tempting to wonder what You were thinking when You designed me. So much about my nature seems to work against me succeeding. The randomness of my thoughts, the explosiveness of my emotions, and the my heart's ability to dream come together to create the core of who I am. I have spent the majority of my life fighting against these things.
As I sit here this morning I realize two mistakes in my approach. First, I can't do it on my own. There is absolutely nothing I can do on my own to change anything about myself. The second thing I realize is that I am not broken. You made me to be who I am. I will always have random thoughts every three seconds and lack the ability to pay attention. My emotions will never be even and smooth. My heart will always dream huge dreams and so I will never be good with staying put. These three things are the abc's of who I am. They are my core strengths.
I ask that You help me learn how to use them for Your glory and give me the strength to avoid their ability to tear me down. I know that You equipped me with these abilities for a certain purpose and I ask that my life come into alignment with that. Help me to gain control of these misused strengths and become the man You desire me to be. A man whose mind is prepared for action, whose spirit is sober and whose hope is set on You.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Expanding My View
Today's Passage: Hebrews 3 & 4
Scripture:
"For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end…" Hebrews 3:14
Observation:
There is no need to issue a warning to hold on unless something is coming to create the need. There is no need to pull the alarm, unless you know there is something wrong. No one instructs others to do any type of preparation unless they are sure that something of need is approaching.
In the same vain, Paul would have never issued a statement such as this unless he knew that every Christian would one day stand face-to-face with something that opened them up to doubt.
Application:
It is safe to say that being tempted to doubt or being pressed to the verge of confessing that God does not exist is a given. There is no way around it. Eventually; it comes. The scriptures are full of verses such as this one which remind me to hold fast. The temptation is not a problem; it is how I chose to respond.
Prayer:
Father God, Hebrews 4:15-16 contains one of my favorite assurances in the Bible. Knowing that Jesus, my High Priest, has faced every temptation I now face and fully understands the weight of those temptations offers me amazing peace. I approach You today in confidence not because I am without sin, but because I know my sins have been dealt with by the power of Your Son.
I ask today that You strengthen my belief in You. I can only be as strong as my understanding of Your truth, Your works, Your ways, Your desires, Your power and all the other things that are You. I pray that my view of You be expanded so that I can taste the fullness of who You are.
Scripture:
"For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end…" Hebrews 3:14
Observation:
There is no need to issue a warning to hold on unless something is coming to create the need. There is no need to pull the alarm, unless you know there is something wrong. No one instructs others to do any type of preparation unless they are sure that something of need is approaching.
In the same vain, Paul would have never issued a statement such as this unless he knew that every Christian would one day stand face-to-face with something that opened them up to doubt.
Application:
It is safe to say that being tempted to doubt or being pressed to the verge of confessing that God does not exist is a given. There is no way around it. Eventually; it comes. The scriptures are full of verses such as this one which remind me to hold fast. The temptation is not a problem; it is how I chose to respond.
Prayer:
Father God, Hebrews 4:15-16 contains one of my favorite assurances in the Bible. Knowing that Jesus, my High Priest, has faced every temptation I now face and fully understands the weight of those temptations offers me amazing peace. I approach You today in confidence not because I am without sin, but because I know my sins have been dealt with by the power of Your Son.
I ask today that You strengthen my belief in You. I can only be as strong as my understanding of Your truth, Your works, Your ways, Your desires, Your power and all the other things that are You. I pray that my view of You be expanded so that I can taste the fullness of who You are.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A Simple Servant's Call
Scripture:
"The Lord's Bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition." 2 Timothy 2:24
Observation:
This day's reading continues to teach me about being a bond-servant. As I prayed through yesterday's reading, God really opened up my heart to understanding the attitude I should have and the view I should develop of my role in life.
Even though the scriptures say that I am a joint heir with Christ, I am to humble myself and live as a bond-servant; a simple slave with no rights. A person indebted to their master and prepared to serve without expecting anything in return.
Today's passage begins to shed a little light on some characteristics that I need to allow God to develop in me. Today is about a simple servants call.
Application:
Not quarrelsome; ouch. Kind to all, eek. Able to teach, uh-oh. Patient when wronged, whoops. Correcting opposition with gentleness; duh-oh!
Prayer:
As the pressures of life mount up and frustration in my life build, I often find myself snapping under the weight of it all and becoming more than a little irritated. My patience runs thin and I find it pretty easy to become quarrelsome.
I am definitely kind by nature, but my kindness is not available to all people. Many times I feel a great desire to be kind only to see it overridden by my foolish pride. I withhold kindness when I am hurt, offended or pressed into a corner.
Being able to teach feels like a mystery to me. I am often unsure of what to say, how to say it, or when to say it. My fears and feelings of inadequacy often override my strong desire to see Your Word become known to others.
When I am wronged, I get riled up. Anger, bitterness, revenge, spitefulness, and vengeance boil in my blood. I fight these feelings hard, but I they take a toll on me. In the heat of the moment I often lose this battle. Rarely could one say that I am patient while I am being wronged.
Correcting with gentleness is difficult in certain circumstances. There are times when I want to use a sledge hammer on something that only requires a tap. There is something about human nature that often tempts me into believing the you have to be forceful to get anything done. I meet opposition with both barrels blazing when I should really come unarmed.
I ask for Your help in growing past all these issues today. Help me to own the fact that these things represent the service to which I am bonded. These are the traits of the good work You have for me. Your word promises that You will equip me to accomplish every good work to which You have called me. I ask today that You open my eyes to find the strength to be in submission to Your call on my life.
"The Lord's Bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition." 2 Timothy 2:24
Observation:
This day's reading continues to teach me about being a bond-servant. As I prayed through yesterday's reading, God really opened up my heart to understanding the attitude I should have and the view I should develop of my role in life.
Even though the scriptures say that I am a joint heir with Christ, I am to humble myself and live as a bond-servant; a simple slave with no rights. A person indebted to their master and prepared to serve without expecting anything in return.
Today's passage begins to shed a little light on some characteristics that I need to allow God to develop in me. Today is about a simple servants call.
Application:
Not quarrelsome; ouch. Kind to all, eek. Able to teach, uh-oh. Patient when wronged, whoops. Correcting opposition with gentleness; duh-oh!
Prayer:
As the pressures of life mount up and frustration in my life build, I often find myself snapping under the weight of it all and becoming more than a little irritated. My patience runs thin and I find it pretty easy to become quarrelsome.
I am definitely kind by nature, but my kindness is not available to all people. Many times I feel a great desire to be kind only to see it overridden by my foolish pride. I withhold kindness when I am hurt, offended or pressed into a corner.
Being able to teach feels like a mystery to me. I am often unsure of what to say, how to say it, or when to say it. My fears and feelings of inadequacy often override my strong desire to see Your Word become known to others.
When I am wronged, I get riled up. Anger, bitterness, revenge, spitefulness, and vengeance boil in my blood. I fight these feelings hard, but I they take a toll on me. In the heat of the moment I often lose this battle. Rarely could one say that I am patient while I am being wronged.
Correcting with gentleness is difficult in certain circumstances. There are times when I want to use a sledge hammer on something that only requires a tap. There is something about human nature that often tempts me into believing the you have to be forceful to get anything done. I meet opposition with both barrels blazing when I should really come unarmed.
I ask for Your help in growing past all these issues today. Help me to own the fact that these things represent the service to which I am bonded. These are the traits of the good work You have for me. Your word promises that You will equip me to accomplish every good work to which You have called me. I ask today that You open my eyes to find the strength to be in submission to Your call on my life.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Simple Servant
Scripture:
"Paul, a bond servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ." Titus 1:1
Observation:
In my world use of the term servant or slave has really lost it's meaning. Slavery or servitude is only something that I read about. I have never seen it. I have never experienced it. As such, it is often easy to miss out on its full meaning. Paul introduces himself as a bond-servant. In Paul's day, these were the lowest of slaves. They were bound to service, normally because of something that they had done, and expected absolutely nothing in return.
Application:
As I look at this passage this morning I am held captive by it. It is such a simple sentence yet it so revealing. It begs the question, how do I view my relationship with God? It is easy to give the Sunday school answer and say that I am in service to God, but if I examine my lifestyle, attitude, expectations and prayer life; what does the evidence say? Do I live my life as a bond-servant to God or does the evidence say that I live my life expecting God to work on my behalf?
Prayer:
Father, I must confess to You this morning my pride and self-centeredness. As I examine my life today I realize just how self-motivated I am. I want things. Most of my prayers center on what I want from You or need for You to do for me. Most of my interactions are driven by the prevailing force of my desires and needs.
I need to learn to live a more surrendered life. My old nature is still strong inside of me. That old nature constantly reminds me of my needs, wants, desires, rights and comforts. That old nature will destroy anything in it's path in pursuit of what it desires. That old nature scares me. It was a brutal master to which I have no desire to return.
I ask that You help me today to die to myself. Help me to live a sensible life and focus only on Your righteous desire for others to experience Your kindness. Allow me to walk in sound understanding of Your Word and to be able to express that understanding to others. Fill me with the strength required in order to persevere. Help me to forgive those who attack me, push through problems that tire me, and find joy in the midst of doing the right thing.
There are many things that fight for my attention and focus. The only hope I have in living my life for You is that You bring Your kingdom down to earth and make it real to me. I beg that You move before me today in tangible ways that remind me of just how real You are and provide me the evidence I need to find strength which will continue me in my journey back home to You.
"Paul, a bond servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ." Titus 1:1
Observation:
In my world use of the term servant or slave has really lost it's meaning. Slavery or servitude is only something that I read about. I have never seen it. I have never experienced it. As such, it is often easy to miss out on its full meaning. Paul introduces himself as a bond-servant. In Paul's day, these were the lowest of slaves. They were bound to service, normally because of something that they had done, and expected absolutely nothing in return.
Application:
As I look at this passage this morning I am held captive by it. It is such a simple sentence yet it so revealing. It begs the question, how do I view my relationship with God? It is easy to give the Sunday school answer and say that I am in service to God, but if I examine my lifestyle, attitude, expectations and prayer life; what does the evidence say? Do I live my life as a bond-servant to God or does the evidence say that I live my life expecting God to work on my behalf?
Prayer:
Father, I must confess to You this morning my pride and self-centeredness. As I examine my life today I realize just how self-motivated I am. I want things. Most of my prayers center on what I want from You or need for You to do for me. Most of my interactions are driven by the prevailing force of my desires and needs.
I need to learn to live a more surrendered life. My old nature is still strong inside of me. That old nature constantly reminds me of my needs, wants, desires, rights and comforts. That old nature will destroy anything in it's path in pursuit of what it desires. That old nature scares me. It was a brutal master to which I have no desire to return.
I ask that You help me today to die to myself. Help me to live a sensible life and focus only on Your righteous desire for others to experience Your kindness. Allow me to walk in sound understanding of Your Word and to be able to express that understanding to others. Fill me with the strength required in order to persevere. Help me to forgive those who attack me, push through problems that tire me, and find joy in the midst of doing the right thing.
There are many things that fight for my attention and focus. The only hope I have in living my life for You is that You bring Your kingdom down to earth and make it real to me. I beg that You move before me today in tangible ways that remind me of just how real You are and provide me the evidence I need to find strength which will continue me in my journey back home to You.
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Good Fight
Scripture:
"That by them you fight the good fight, keeping the faith and a good conscience." 1 Timothy 1:18-19
Observation:
It seems like there are two extremes in the Christian church. On one side, you have those who are willing to fight over anything. At the drop of a hat they seem to be willing to form debates, organize strikes, or just rip into people. Anger, paranoia, and legalism drape around these people everywhere they go.
On the other side, you have those who are not willing to fight for anything. They never stand up. They never say a word. They either do not care or they hide behind obscure passages of the Bible which speak to offering grace or being people of peace.
Application:
This is a challenge for me. I am a fighter. I do not like to fight, but when something wells up inside of me it is really hard to not act on it. At the same time, I am also a coward. In the heat of battle, I have been known to clam up and not say a word. While some people seem to rest on one side or the other, I find myself straddled somewhere in between. When faced with conflict, I often find myself wondering which is the right approach; fight or flight?
In this passage from Timothy, I clearly hear the call from my God to fight the GOOD fight while keeping my faith and a good conscience. In verse 5 of this chapter Paul lays out three things that I need to keep in mind. He says to go about these things with a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
Prayer:
There are so many times that I forget You have called me into a war. It is a war which has existed since the beginning of time and will continue to be waged until Your return. There are many times that I do not enter the battle at all and there are just as many times I enter the battle as anything but a good solider. I pray this morning that you teach me to be a good solider.
Give a pure heart. A good solider in Your army never acts on anything less. Keep me focused on the salvation of others and to always act out of love; not selfish motives. Help me to always be focused on the establishment of Your kingdom and on reconciling You with those who find themselves separated from Your good will.
Keep my conscience clear. I believe that You have equipped me with an internal mechanism which alerts me when I am doing things outside of Your plan. I sense something inside telling me or alerting me to bad choices. Every time I blow past this voice, I end up living with regret. I pray that You help me live in a manner that strengthens my conscience and avoids placing ghosts in my soul which haunt me.
Teach me to have sincere faith. I want to own my faith and I want my faith to be real. This is often very difficult. It is tempting to take short cuts or to misuse scripture in order to prove a point. I pray that You work in my life in a manner that equips me to own a sincere faith in You.
"That by them you fight the good fight, keeping the faith and a good conscience." 1 Timothy 1:18-19
Observation:
It seems like there are two extremes in the Christian church. On one side, you have those who are willing to fight over anything. At the drop of a hat they seem to be willing to form debates, organize strikes, or just rip into people. Anger, paranoia, and legalism drape around these people everywhere they go.
On the other side, you have those who are not willing to fight for anything. They never stand up. They never say a word. They either do not care or they hide behind obscure passages of the Bible which speak to offering grace or being people of peace.
Application:
This is a challenge for me. I am a fighter. I do not like to fight, but when something wells up inside of me it is really hard to not act on it. At the same time, I am also a coward. In the heat of battle, I have been known to clam up and not say a word. While some people seem to rest on one side or the other, I find myself straddled somewhere in between. When faced with conflict, I often find myself wondering which is the right approach; fight or flight?
In this passage from Timothy, I clearly hear the call from my God to fight the GOOD fight while keeping my faith and a good conscience. In verse 5 of this chapter Paul lays out three things that I need to keep in mind. He says to go about these things with a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
Prayer:
There are so many times that I forget You have called me into a war. It is a war which has existed since the beginning of time and will continue to be waged until Your return. There are many times that I do not enter the battle at all and there are just as many times I enter the battle as anything but a good solider. I pray this morning that you teach me to be a good solider.
Give a pure heart. A good solider in Your army never acts on anything less. Keep me focused on the salvation of others and to always act out of love; not selfish motives. Help me to always be focused on the establishment of Your kingdom and on reconciling You with those who find themselves separated from Your good will.
Keep my conscience clear. I believe that You have equipped me with an internal mechanism which alerts me when I am doing things outside of Your plan. I sense something inside telling me or alerting me to bad choices. Every time I blow past this voice, I end up living with regret. I pray that You help me live in a manner that strengthens my conscience and avoids placing ghosts in my soul which haunt me.
Teach me to have sincere faith. I want to own my faith and I want my faith to be real. This is often very difficult. It is tempting to take short cuts or to misuse scripture in order to prove a point. I pray that You work in my life in a manner that equips me to own a sincere faith in You.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Its Time to Wake Up
Scripture:
"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed." Romans 13:11
Observation:
Verses 11-14 really stand out to me this morning. It is something about the call to wake up that really resonates deep inside of me. Life is so rhythmic. Daily routines, continual struggles, weariness, and the ever increasing pace of life just seem to put me into a spiritual sleep. This call to wake up really has my attention today. So what are some areas which beckon my attention?
Application:
Your still young. You have plenty of time. I'll stop and get cleaned up soon. I'm still learning. I just don't know what I would say. I need to study some more. I have so many questions I need answered first.
I have nursed all these questions. The common thread in all of them is the empty promise that there is plenty of time to do the right thing. The call I sense today is that I need to live with a sense of urgency regarding doing the right thing. As I think back over the times I have fell victim to the lies listed above, I realize just how much I have lost in my life because I messed around and drug my feet on doing what I knew I needed to do.
Its my only vice. I'm not perfect. Can't help but looking. I want to be angry for a while. I deserve better. I'm desperate for something. I just want to live. Its not that bad. That should not have happened to me. I know I shouldn't, but…
Excuses. I hear them everyday. Living a moral life in the world we live in is crazy hard. The world offers so much. Anything I could possibly desire is only a few clicks away. The big three of the flesh, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, and strife and jealousy; have chased me for most of my life and continue to chase me now. God has brought me through much and the transformation I have experienced is incredible. But I also face the daily reality that I am only a couple choices away from being right back where I started. Flirting with sinful thoughts or tolerating things that should not be must stop.
Prayer:
Honor. That is the word that is stirring in my heart today. I want to be a man of honor. A man who honors his God. A man who honors his family. A man who honors justice. A man who honors integrity. A man who honors wisdom and truth.
When my time has passed and I leave this world, that is the legacy I want to leave behind.
I need Your help today in living according to the code of honor You have provided. Help me to abandon all reservations and live as a free man today. Help me to offer love to those who tempt me with strife. Help me find wisdom in the midst of chaos. Help me to extinguish sinful thoughts that linger in my flesh and mind. Help me move past personal hang ups that drag me down. Create inside of me a God sized sense of urgency regarding doing the right thing.
I want to clothe myself in Christ today and make no provision for my flesh. I want to live as one that is alive! Not one that is dead. Life is too stinking short to waste it. Help me today to grab my time and drink deep of it. The world is dying and I have wasted too much time contributing to its demise. Help me today be all that You desire me to be.
"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed." Romans 13:11
Observation:
Verses 11-14 really stand out to me this morning. It is something about the call to wake up that really resonates deep inside of me. Life is so rhythmic. Daily routines, continual struggles, weariness, and the ever increasing pace of life just seem to put me into a spiritual sleep. This call to wake up really has my attention today. So what are some areas which beckon my attention?
Application:
Your still young. You have plenty of time. I'll stop and get cleaned up soon. I'm still learning. I just don't know what I would say. I need to study some more. I have so many questions I need answered first.
I have nursed all these questions. The common thread in all of them is the empty promise that there is plenty of time to do the right thing. The call I sense today is that I need to live with a sense of urgency regarding doing the right thing. As I think back over the times I have fell victim to the lies listed above, I realize just how much I have lost in my life because I messed around and drug my feet on doing what I knew I needed to do.
Its my only vice. I'm not perfect. Can't help but looking. I want to be angry for a while. I deserve better. I'm desperate for something. I just want to live. Its not that bad. That should not have happened to me. I know I shouldn't, but…
Excuses. I hear them everyday. Living a moral life in the world we live in is crazy hard. The world offers so much. Anything I could possibly desire is only a few clicks away. The big three of the flesh, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, and strife and jealousy; have chased me for most of my life and continue to chase me now. God has brought me through much and the transformation I have experienced is incredible. But I also face the daily reality that I am only a couple choices away from being right back where I started. Flirting with sinful thoughts or tolerating things that should not be must stop.
Prayer:
Honor. That is the word that is stirring in my heart today. I want to be a man of honor. A man who honors his God. A man who honors his family. A man who honors justice. A man who honors integrity. A man who honors wisdom and truth.
When my time has passed and I leave this world, that is the legacy I want to leave behind.
I need Your help today in living according to the code of honor You have provided. Help me to abandon all reservations and live as a free man today. Help me to offer love to those who tempt me with strife. Help me find wisdom in the midst of chaos. Help me to extinguish sinful thoughts that linger in my flesh and mind. Help me move past personal hang ups that drag me down. Create inside of me a God sized sense of urgency regarding doing the right thing.
I want to clothe myself in Christ today and make no provision for my flesh. I want to live as one that is alive! Not one that is dead. Life is too stinking short to waste it. Help me today to grab my time and drink deep of it. The world is dying and I have wasted too much time contributing to its demise. Help me today be all that You desire me to be.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Facing Adversity
Scripture:
"So that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this." 1 Thessalonians 3:3
Observation:
Affliction is defined as a state of pain, distress, or grief; misery. In the context of this passage, Paul is speaking to the church in Thessalonica. This church was doing quite well and the purpose of the letter was to encourage them and build them up.
Paul was afraid that the early church would be discouraged by what was happening to him and the other apostles. Persecution was widespread. For the early believers this would communicate a message to them that hard times were on the way. In the midst of the inevitable, impending struggles; it would have been easy for this group to fall away.
They did not. They held firm to their faith in the midst of all that they were seeing and experiencing. They chose to act out of love and faith even though the results did not seem to be very promising.
Application:
I like to win. It does not matter what the activity is, I want to be compared to someone and be declared the winner. My competitive nature drives me to succeed. It also gets me in a lot of trouble.
When I read passages like this I do not walk away all that fired up. Losing stinks. There are many clichés out there designed to make people feel better about losing. Statements such as, "it does not matter how you play the game" exists in all shapes and forms. These statements do not really work for me. In the end the only thing that I care about is did I win.
That is what makes struggles so difficult for me. My pride makes struggling through something really difficult. I want to beat it. I want to have victory. Learning to be ok in the midst of struggles is a major area of growth for me.
Prayer:
You know me. I believe that when You knitted me together in the my mother's womb, You knew exactly how I would turn out. You know my stubbornness, my pride, my tendencies to seek pleasure, and every other weakness in my life. You also know my love of life, my drive, and my willingness to learn.
I am thankful today that when You look at me, You see the whole package. The good and the bad. The right and the wrong. The strong and the weak. The sinful and the holy. Most importantly, when you look at me You see the saving work of Your Son.
I ask today that You allow me to fully realize the freedom that is found in Christ. I am often overrun by the struggles of life that I observe around me. I see the good side losing to the bad and it really steals away my joy.
When my joy leaves I become irritable. I tear into those around me. I start seeking things to make me feel better for things that promise to bring escape. I become more of a consumer than a giver and I, in my self-centeredness, lose sight of the greater work taking place around me.
I ask for the inverse of these things to be true in my life. When struggles rock my world and I am tempted to be irritable, I pray that You teach me to give the best of me that I have to offer to those around me. Instead of seeking to escape the storms of life, I want to be a beacon of light to others in the same storm. Instead of spending my energies by consuming things that will make me feel better, I ask that You teach me to invest in the lives of others. Instead of getting stuck in a pity party regarding how bad things are working out for me, I ask that You teach me to be encouraged by the work that You are doing in the lives of others.
"So that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this." 1 Thessalonians 3:3
Observation:
Affliction is defined as a state of pain, distress, or grief; misery. In the context of this passage, Paul is speaking to the church in Thessalonica. This church was doing quite well and the purpose of the letter was to encourage them and build them up.
Paul was afraid that the early church would be discouraged by what was happening to him and the other apostles. Persecution was widespread. For the early believers this would communicate a message to them that hard times were on the way. In the midst of the inevitable, impending struggles; it would have been easy for this group to fall away.
They did not. They held firm to their faith in the midst of all that they were seeing and experiencing. They chose to act out of love and faith even though the results did not seem to be very promising.
Application:
I like to win. It does not matter what the activity is, I want to be compared to someone and be declared the winner. My competitive nature drives me to succeed. It also gets me in a lot of trouble.
When I read passages like this I do not walk away all that fired up. Losing stinks. There are many clichés out there designed to make people feel better about losing. Statements such as, "it does not matter how you play the game" exists in all shapes and forms. These statements do not really work for me. In the end the only thing that I care about is did I win.
That is what makes struggles so difficult for me. My pride makes struggling through something really difficult. I want to beat it. I want to have victory. Learning to be ok in the midst of struggles is a major area of growth for me.
Prayer:
You know me. I believe that when You knitted me together in the my mother's womb, You knew exactly how I would turn out. You know my stubbornness, my pride, my tendencies to seek pleasure, and every other weakness in my life. You also know my love of life, my drive, and my willingness to learn.
I am thankful today that when You look at me, You see the whole package. The good and the bad. The right and the wrong. The strong and the weak. The sinful and the holy. Most importantly, when you look at me You see the saving work of Your Son.
I ask today that You allow me to fully realize the freedom that is found in Christ. I am often overrun by the struggles of life that I observe around me. I see the good side losing to the bad and it really steals away my joy.
When my joy leaves I become irritable. I tear into those around me. I start seeking things to make me feel better for things that promise to bring escape. I become more of a consumer than a giver and I, in my self-centeredness, lose sight of the greater work taking place around me.
I ask for the inverse of these things to be true in my life. When struggles rock my world and I am tempted to be irritable, I pray that You teach me to give the best of me that I have to offer to those around me. Instead of seeking to escape the storms of life, I want to be a beacon of light to others in the same storm. Instead of spending my energies by consuming things that will make me feel better, I ask that You teach me to invest in the lives of others. Instead of getting stuck in a pity party regarding how bad things are working out for me, I ask that You teach me to be encouraged by the work that You are doing in the lives of others.
Contentment
Scripture:
"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:39
Observation:
It was a dark and lonely place. With each step, the burden of what was to be grew heavier upon Him. Finally, once He could walk no further, He fell. He did not trip. He did not kneel. He collapsed on His face in prayer.
In the moments that would follow, the words uttered from the mouth of Jesus would set forever set the bar for contentment.
Application:
Contentment. For me, I think that arriving at a place of understanding this simple word is among the most difficult of tasks. Discontentment is as easy to find as a noisy three year old in a quiet library. Contentment on the other hand is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Be that as it may, contentment is a core characteristic in the life of Christ and therefore is a commandment for me to follow. As I read this passage, there are a few things that stick out to me about Contentment.
First, contentment is not an absence of ambition. Jesus was one of the most ambitious people that I have ever known. As I study His life, I am taken back by just how hard a worker He was. Up early, up late and constantly pursuing His mission is the life that I see modeled for Him. He was not content to just sit back and watch things. He pushed Himself to His limits. As I filter contentment through this lens, I see it more as a decision to be ok with the fact that life requires work. I will always have to push myself. The mission for my life will demand high levels of energy and God has called me to go at it with all that is in me. That is the part I need to work on. There are many days that I wake up and silently wish things were not so tough. There are many nights I fight tension created by the seemingly never ending demands of life. In these moments, I am tempted to be really discontent. I want an easy button. But that is not life. Life is about ambitious endeavors and the relentless pursuit of their promise.
Second, contentment is not the absence of dread. Jesus point blank asked God to take away the cross. He dreaded it. There are certain types of shirts that generate high levels of static electricity when I wear them in my truck. Upon parking my truck when I wear such shirts, I sit in dread over the jolt I receive every time I shut my door. I mean I seriously dread it. Given that is just a simple little snap that really does not hurt, I just can't imagine what Jesus was feeling. That is what I love about this prayer. He did not hide from His Father. He spoke clearly about not wanting to do it. Then, He resides Himself to do what God is asking, regardless. In this light, contentment is accepting things as they are. It is finding the resolve inside to be ok with struggling through a painful event; even if I dread it. There are so many times that I just want a situation to go away. In those moments, I will put off confronting the situation in hopes that it will just go away. I often get angry when it does not. I need to learn to be ok with the fact that the mission of my life will often carry me into the teeth of a storm I would rather dodge.
Prayer:
Father, there are cups in my life that I do not want to face. There are many areas of my life that do not meet my expectations. I often find myself torn between the desire to be grateful for what I have the great ambition that I have to become more. Contentment is not something that comes to me naturally; yet it is the thing that I desperately seek. I ask that You teach me to walk in contentment. Even when I walk into situations that are not my preference or choice, help me to find satisfaction in the hard work of obedience.
"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:39
Observation:
It was a dark and lonely place. With each step, the burden of what was to be grew heavier upon Him. Finally, once He could walk no further, He fell. He did not trip. He did not kneel. He collapsed on His face in prayer.
In the moments that would follow, the words uttered from the mouth of Jesus would set forever set the bar for contentment.
Application:
Contentment. For me, I think that arriving at a place of understanding this simple word is among the most difficult of tasks. Discontentment is as easy to find as a noisy three year old in a quiet library. Contentment on the other hand is like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Be that as it may, contentment is a core characteristic in the life of Christ and therefore is a commandment for me to follow. As I read this passage, there are a few things that stick out to me about Contentment.
First, contentment is not an absence of ambition. Jesus was one of the most ambitious people that I have ever known. As I study His life, I am taken back by just how hard a worker He was. Up early, up late and constantly pursuing His mission is the life that I see modeled for Him. He was not content to just sit back and watch things. He pushed Himself to His limits. As I filter contentment through this lens, I see it more as a decision to be ok with the fact that life requires work. I will always have to push myself. The mission for my life will demand high levels of energy and God has called me to go at it with all that is in me. That is the part I need to work on. There are many days that I wake up and silently wish things were not so tough. There are many nights I fight tension created by the seemingly never ending demands of life. In these moments, I am tempted to be really discontent. I want an easy button. But that is not life. Life is about ambitious endeavors and the relentless pursuit of their promise.
Second, contentment is not the absence of dread. Jesus point blank asked God to take away the cross. He dreaded it. There are certain types of shirts that generate high levels of static electricity when I wear them in my truck. Upon parking my truck when I wear such shirts, I sit in dread over the jolt I receive every time I shut my door. I mean I seriously dread it. Given that is just a simple little snap that really does not hurt, I just can't imagine what Jesus was feeling. That is what I love about this prayer. He did not hide from His Father. He spoke clearly about not wanting to do it. Then, He resides Himself to do what God is asking, regardless. In this light, contentment is accepting things as they are. It is finding the resolve inside to be ok with struggling through a painful event; even if I dread it. There are so many times that I just want a situation to go away. In those moments, I will put off confronting the situation in hopes that it will just go away. I often get angry when it does not. I need to learn to be ok with the fact that the mission of my life will often carry me into the teeth of a storm I would rather dodge.
Prayer:
Father, there are cups in my life that I do not want to face. There are many areas of my life that do not meet my expectations. I often find myself torn between the desire to be grateful for what I have the great ambition that I have to become more. Contentment is not something that comes to me naturally; yet it is the thing that I desperately seek. I ask that You teach me to walk in contentment. Even when I walk into situations that are not my preference or choice, help me to find satisfaction in the hard work of obedience.
Boldness
Scripture:
"Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are You, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.'" Matthew 16:18
Observation:
It was a bold statement that Peter made. It is easy to miss out of the fact that the disciples missed out on who Jesus was. I am sure that in this moment, they were glued to the words out of Jesus' mouth as they hoped to hear clearly about who he was. Then He asked a question that surely jolted them, “who do you say I am?”
The words had to ring out in their ears. Hesitation had to be tempting as the silence grew deafening. Then Peter blurts it out. In a moment of boldness he claimed Jesus to be what he believed Him to be in his heart.
Application:
Boldness does not come from contrived thoughts or the teaching of others. Boldness springs forth from thoughts I own. It spouts from the seeds planted in my own heart by God Himself.
That is the beauty of this passage. Peter did not hear a message listing twenty-one reasons why Jesus is the Christ. God revealed it to him.
Prayer:
Father, as this passage circles around in my mind, I am convicted by my own laziness. It is easier to sit through a great message and learn something about You that it is to seek You on my own.
I am reminded today of just how important it is for You to teach me directly. I ask that You teach me to be mentored by other men, but to not allow that to be a surrogate for learning from You directly.
I ask that You take control of the quiet times that I spend with You and begin to teach me the things that You desire for me to know and be bold about. Protect me from self-deception and allow me to discern between what is You and what is me. Open the doors of my heart and fill it with every good revelation You desire for me to own.
"Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are You, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.'" Matthew 16:18
Observation:
It was a bold statement that Peter made. It is easy to miss out of the fact that the disciples missed out on who Jesus was. I am sure that in this moment, they were glued to the words out of Jesus' mouth as they hoped to hear clearly about who he was. Then He asked a question that surely jolted them, “who do you say I am?”
The words had to ring out in their ears. Hesitation had to be tempting as the silence grew deafening. Then Peter blurts it out. In a moment of boldness he claimed Jesus to be what he believed Him to be in his heart.
Application:
Boldness does not come from contrived thoughts or the teaching of others. Boldness springs forth from thoughts I own. It spouts from the seeds planted in my own heart by God Himself.
That is the beauty of this passage. Peter did not hear a message listing twenty-one reasons why Jesus is the Christ. God revealed it to him.
Prayer:
Father, as this passage circles around in my mind, I am convicted by my own laziness. It is easier to sit through a great message and learn something about You that it is to seek You on my own.
I am reminded today of just how important it is for You to teach me directly. I ask that You teach me to be mentored by other men, but to not allow that to be a surrogate for learning from You directly.
I ask that You take control of the quiet times that I spend with You and begin to teach me the things that You desire for me to know and be bold about. Protect me from self-deception and allow me to discern between what is You and what is me. Open the doors of my heart and fill it with every good revelation You desire for me to own.
Greatness of Thought
Scripture:
"Get behind be Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interest, but man's." Matthew 16:23
Observation:
Peter filtered his emotions through his own thoughts of God. By doing so, he was limited to his capacity to understand the things of God.
Application:
It is impossible to miss the fact that all the great men whose stories unfold on the pages of the Bible had incredible thoughts about God. Their interests were focused on things that were impossible for them to accomplish. Many times, they were sent on a mission that was not all that pleasant. They faced rejection, humiliation, persecution, physical torture and even death; yet these men maintained their ability to articulate great thoughts of God.
When I survey my on thoughts, I am ashamed to say what I find. My thoughts are not great. My thoughts are not even that good. In fact, my thoughts are not really thoughts; their questions. My ability to think great thoughts of God is strictly limited by my ability to get my mind around the questions that I have. Often when I find myself thinking about the greatness of God, I get lost in the how, why, and when’s of life.
The torture of these moments is that I know God enough that I can never walk away from my beliefs. Yet in still, my questions lead to doubts which can make believing really difficult. In these moments, I find myself torn between my doubts and beliefs just like a man strapped to two stallions pulling in opposite directions.
Prayer:
This prayer scares me a little. It actually scares me a lot. But I need to be honest with You. Sense You already know my thoughts it is really silly to fear sharing them, but it is hard all the same.
When I try to think great thoughts of You, I get lost. I either feel like I am forcing something or it starts me down a path of questioning that leads me to sitting in a maze of dead ends. Try as I may; I just never seem to be able to open my mind to the realities of just how great You are.
The scary part of this prayer is letting go, but I need for You to take over my thoughts. Teach me to pray. Teach me to think. Open my eyes to the fullness of Your majesty and power. Allow my life to be transformed by my impression of Your greatness. I ask today that You destroy every false thought I have and replace it with something that is bigger than anything I could come up with on my own.
"Get behind be Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interest, but man's." Matthew 16:23
Observation:
Peter filtered his emotions through his own thoughts of God. By doing so, he was limited to his capacity to understand the things of God.
Application:
It is impossible to miss the fact that all the great men whose stories unfold on the pages of the Bible had incredible thoughts about God. Their interests were focused on things that were impossible for them to accomplish. Many times, they were sent on a mission that was not all that pleasant. They faced rejection, humiliation, persecution, physical torture and even death; yet these men maintained their ability to articulate great thoughts of God.
When I survey my on thoughts, I am ashamed to say what I find. My thoughts are not great. My thoughts are not even that good. In fact, my thoughts are not really thoughts; their questions. My ability to think great thoughts of God is strictly limited by my ability to get my mind around the questions that I have. Often when I find myself thinking about the greatness of God, I get lost in the how, why, and when’s of life.
The torture of these moments is that I know God enough that I can never walk away from my beliefs. Yet in still, my questions lead to doubts which can make believing really difficult. In these moments, I find myself torn between my doubts and beliefs just like a man strapped to two stallions pulling in opposite directions.
Prayer:
This prayer scares me a little. It actually scares me a lot. But I need to be honest with You. Sense You already know my thoughts it is really silly to fear sharing them, but it is hard all the same.
When I try to think great thoughts of You, I get lost. I either feel like I am forcing something or it starts me down a path of questioning that leads me to sitting in a maze of dead ends. Try as I may; I just never seem to be able to open my mind to the realities of just how great You are.
The scary part of this prayer is letting go, but I need for You to take over my thoughts. Teach me to pray. Teach me to think. Open my eyes to the fullness of Your majesty and power. Allow my life to be transformed by my impression of Your greatness. I ask today that You destroy every false thought I have and replace it with something that is bigger than anything I could come up with on my own.
Energy
Scripture:
"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45
Observation:
Energy. As I read this passage of scripture that is the thing that sticks out to me. The passage paints a picture of what happens when we find the truth that God has for us. It is a discovery that energizes the soul to the point where everything else in our life is considered as barter to pursue the glimpse of heaven we find.
Application:
Energy and motivation should always accompany my walk with God. Walking through the book of Matthew, I notice this in the lives of the people who met Jesus versus those who just encountered Him. Those who simply encountered Jesus went on their way. But those who met Jesus, those who truly met the core of who He was and caught a glimpse of the Father through him, those people were filled with the energy and motivation required to abandon all that was in their life in order to pursue the things that were available through Christ.
Prayer:
The cry of my heart today is that I not be content to just encounter You. I want to be introduced to the core of who You are. I desire for every fiber of my being to be energized as I come to realize the full weight of who You are.
My laziness and the lustfulness of my flesh often serve as anchors that prevent me from moving to follow You. I pray that in moments when I find myself tempted by these two enemies that You move upon my heart in a way that is real.
Nothing in me is content to be a religious man. There is nothing remotely attractive about that to me. I desire to be a life on fire; one that walks with Yahweh and is known by Him. I desire to be a reflection to the world of something heavenly.
"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45
Observation:
Energy. As I read this passage of scripture that is the thing that sticks out to me. The passage paints a picture of what happens when we find the truth that God has for us. It is a discovery that energizes the soul to the point where everything else in our life is considered as barter to pursue the glimpse of heaven we find.
Application:
Energy and motivation should always accompany my walk with God. Walking through the book of Matthew, I notice this in the lives of the people who met Jesus versus those who just encountered Him. Those who simply encountered Jesus went on their way. But those who met Jesus, those who truly met the core of who He was and caught a glimpse of the Father through him, those people were filled with the energy and motivation required to abandon all that was in their life in order to pursue the things that were available through Christ.
Prayer:
The cry of my heart today is that I not be content to just encounter You. I want to be introduced to the core of who You are. I desire for every fiber of my being to be energized as I come to realize the full weight of who You are.
My laziness and the lustfulness of my flesh often serve as anchors that prevent me from moving to follow You. I pray that in moments when I find myself tempted by these two enemies that You move upon my heart in a way that is real.
Nothing in me is content to be a religious man. There is nothing remotely attractive about that to me. I desire to be a life on fire; one that walks with Yahweh and is known by Him. I desire to be a reflection to the world of something heavenly.
My Desire
Scripture:
"And Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go, it shall be done for you as you have believed.' And the servant was healed that very moment." Matthew 8:13
Observation:
This is a short story. It only covers 9 verses, but in them is a wealth of lessons to learn. The centurion was definitely in a seat of honor. He was a commander of the Roman army. He was a man that did not need to go see someone. If he had any interest, he would just send for someone to come see him. Here, in this story, we see him approach Christ in all humility and beg him to act on behalf of his servant. In doing so, he explains what he believes to be true of Christ. At the end of his dissertation, Jesus claims this man's faith to be greater than any he has seen.
Application:
This passage is particularly challenging to me. I feel like many times I pray for God to move or act SO THAT my faith can be strengthened. As I read tonight, I sense from God a conviction in this area.
My faith in God should not be establish based on my history. It needs to rest solely on what I know of God. It is totally sensible to expect God to move and for my faith to be strengthened as He moves on my behalf. That said, faith must come before the movement.
I am reminded tonight that I do not need to wait until a challenging situation comes along to seek to understand God. I need to live on the edge. I need to live ready. Every minute of every hour of every day should be spent preparing myself for taking the next steps that God has for me. Faith is always easier to establish on the front end than it is to establish it on the backside of trouble.
Prayer:
Tonight, as we pulled up to the condo, I realized I was vulnerable. Being on vacation is great. The break from normal life is a welcomed change of pace. But I should never take a break from seeking You.
For the past couple days, I have set You aside. I have still read my Bible and prayed to You, but I have not really sought You. You have definitely not been my top priority.
I simply ask Your forgiveness. I have neglected Your fellowship and I feel lonely. The absence of Your tangible presence in my life feels as if the very life of my soul has been stripped away. There is no place I would rather be in this moment, nothing I would rather be doing, other than sitting at Your feet and sensing Your manifest presence before me.
I ask that You move upon my heart tonight and teach me how to maintain my pursuit of You. Even when I get tired. Even when my mind is exhausted. Even when my flesh cries out for entertaining. Regardless of what internal desires tempt me, I ask that nothing compete with my fellowship with You.
At the end of the day, this is my desire: To know You and be known by You. When the world around me threatens to fall apart, I ask that my faith be found sufficient to carry me through.
"And Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go, it shall be done for you as you have believed.' And the servant was healed that very moment." Matthew 8:13
Observation:
This is a short story. It only covers 9 verses, but in them is a wealth of lessons to learn. The centurion was definitely in a seat of honor. He was a commander of the Roman army. He was a man that did not need to go see someone. If he had any interest, he would just send for someone to come see him. Here, in this story, we see him approach Christ in all humility and beg him to act on behalf of his servant. In doing so, he explains what he believes to be true of Christ. At the end of his dissertation, Jesus claims this man's faith to be greater than any he has seen.
Application:
This passage is particularly challenging to me. I feel like many times I pray for God to move or act SO THAT my faith can be strengthened. As I read tonight, I sense from God a conviction in this area.
My faith in God should not be establish based on my history. It needs to rest solely on what I know of God. It is totally sensible to expect God to move and for my faith to be strengthened as He moves on my behalf. That said, faith must come before the movement.
I am reminded tonight that I do not need to wait until a challenging situation comes along to seek to understand God. I need to live on the edge. I need to live ready. Every minute of every hour of every day should be spent preparing myself for taking the next steps that God has for me. Faith is always easier to establish on the front end than it is to establish it on the backside of trouble.
Prayer:
Tonight, as we pulled up to the condo, I realized I was vulnerable. Being on vacation is great. The break from normal life is a welcomed change of pace. But I should never take a break from seeking You.
For the past couple days, I have set You aside. I have still read my Bible and prayed to You, but I have not really sought You. You have definitely not been my top priority.
I simply ask Your forgiveness. I have neglected Your fellowship and I feel lonely. The absence of Your tangible presence in my life feels as if the very life of my soul has been stripped away. There is no place I would rather be in this moment, nothing I would rather be doing, other than sitting at Your feet and sensing Your manifest presence before me.
I ask that You move upon my heart tonight and teach me how to maintain my pursuit of You. Even when I get tired. Even when my mind is exhausted. Even when my flesh cries out for entertaining. Regardless of what internal desires tempt me, I ask that nothing compete with my fellowship with You.
At the end of the day, this is my desire: To know You and be known by You. When the world around me threatens to fall apart, I ask that my faith be found sufficient to carry me through.
The Light Inside
Scripture:
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Observation:
Jesus compares the work of God inside of me as a light to the world. Lights have to shine. They make no sense or serve no purpose if they are not shining.
Application:
I have a choice. God has planted something beautiful inside of me. He intends for me to tend to it. When I think about light in the time of Christ, I am reminded that the only source of manufactured light in the time of Christ was the flame of a fire. Fire has to be cared for. You must choose to tend to it or it will be extinguished. This is the same for my faith. I must choose to care for it, or it will be useless.
I have a mission. "That they", those are the words of Christ. He did not say, "So that you". God does do things for me on an individual basis. Everything that He provides me is designed to give Him glory and bring hope to the lost. He gives me peace, joy, hope, possessions, family, success, and all the other wonderful things that fill my life; but He gives them to me in context of the mission of my calling.
I have a caution. "In such a way." This caution is so subtle that I almost missed it. My motives, attitudes, and demeanor matter. Sharing my faith with others is of no use if it is done so in a manner that prevents them from giving God glory. Then I have failed. The light of Christ is not intrusive. It is not arrogant. It is not self-serving. It can not be manufactured. The true light of Christ is a byproduct of me living my life in obedience to Him.
Prayer:
It is easy sometimes to forget that bringing your light into the world has never been easy. Ever sense Adam fell to sin in the garden, Satan has been busy building a world designed to fight against that light. More than anything in my life, I desire to see this light shine inside of me. I want the product of my life to reflect You to the world in a manner that gives You glory. I pray that my heart be ever more burdened for the mission to which I have been called. Guide my choices today and I pray that every decision I make will brighten the light You have entrusted to me.
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Observation:
Jesus compares the work of God inside of me as a light to the world. Lights have to shine. They make no sense or serve no purpose if they are not shining.
Application:
I have a choice. God has planted something beautiful inside of me. He intends for me to tend to it. When I think about light in the time of Christ, I am reminded that the only source of manufactured light in the time of Christ was the flame of a fire. Fire has to be cared for. You must choose to tend to it or it will be extinguished. This is the same for my faith. I must choose to care for it, or it will be useless.
I have a mission. "That they", those are the words of Christ. He did not say, "So that you". God does do things for me on an individual basis. Everything that He provides me is designed to give Him glory and bring hope to the lost. He gives me peace, joy, hope, possessions, family, success, and all the other wonderful things that fill my life; but He gives them to me in context of the mission of my calling.
I have a caution. "In such a way." This caution is so subtle that I almost missed it. My motives, attitudes, and demeanor matter. Sharing my faith with others is of no use if it is done so in a manner that prevents them from giving God glory. Then I have failed. The light of Christ is not intrusive. It is not arrogant. It is not self-serving. It can not be manufactured. The true light of Christ is a byproduct of me living my life in obedience to Him.
Prayer:
It is easy sometimes to forget that bringing your light into the world has never been easy. Ever sense Adam fell to sin in the garden, Satan has been busy building a world designed to fight against that light. More than anything in my life, I desire to see this light shine inside of me. I want the product of my life to reflect You to the world in a manner that gives You glory. I pray that my heart be ever more burdened for the mission to which I have been called. Guide my choices today and I pray that every decision I make will brighten the light You have entrusted to me.
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