Standout Verses - John 19:5, 14
Behold the man … behold your King.
He would be nailed to a cross, this man – this king. For me.
Why would I behold? It’s less fluffy than the sanitised winterfest manger. It doesn’t seem as glorious as the transfiguration mount. The emotional resonance here is discomforting.
Yet it is here we are told to behold this man – this king; my God.
In this, Pilate speaks with wisdom and no one listened. Today I listen.
Here I behold this man – this king; my God.
O cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
and from the ground there blossoms red
life that shall endless be.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
toothpaste and shaving foam ... or water?
Standout Verses - 2 Samuel 14:14
Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.
We all know the illustration of trying to get toothpaste back in a tube, or shaving foam back into the can, because they are so over-done. In the traditional form of the story the analogy is most often to what we say; we can’t take our words back. The paste and foam sit there looking out of place on the children’s worker’s prop as evidence of potential sin, encouraging us to be more guarded in future. If the worker were to use a glass of water in the analogy what would happen. Well, with a spoon and a cloth much of the water could be gathered up again but most likely there would be some dirt brought back into the glass and there would be some water and there would be some left on the ground. If much care was taken then we could get very close to the appearance of a perfect job - near clear water and the glass as good as full. But this would only be an illusion.
We are people of dust and stains …
When our lives become problematic and are spilt out on the ground we find a way to pick ourselves up and patch ourselves together, and often we don’t involve God in that process. Millions of non-Christians and Christians alike live pieced together lives without God, displaying for all the world the illusion of togetherness. But if we scratch the surface, if we investigate further, we find that their lives contain the dirt of daily living, inadvertently gathered up as they hold themselves together: contaminated with the unhealed pain, uncontrolled desire and purposeless striving. We would see that they have not managed to pick up all that dropped and around them are scattered the discarded drops of life they could not reclaim. The struggles of life have left them damaged. Often though, to the outside observer, it looks as if the glass has been successfully and purely refilled.
The illustration shows us that this gathering up of life is not something that we can adequately do on our own: the truth we find here is that our lives cannot be “gathered up” by ourselves. They can only be pieced together and held together by God. He will not sweep away what we spill, nor will he contaminate what he brings together. He will devise a way.
Lord, we can only be made whole by a miracle. It is beyond the earthly and humanly possible, but I praise you that it is not beyond your divine will.
Piece me together.
Keep me together.
May I never again be separated from you.
Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.
We all know the illustration of trying to get toothpaste back in a tube, or shaving foam back into the can, because they are so over-done. In the traditional form of the story the analogy is most often to what we say; we can’t take our words back. The paste and foam sit there looking out of place on the children’s worker’s prop as evidence of potential sin, encouraging us to be more guarded in future. If the worker were to use a glass of water in the analogy what would happen. Well, with a spoon and a cloth much of the water could be gathered up again but most likely there would be some dirt brought back into the glass and there would be some water and there would be some left on the ground. If much care was taken then we could get very close to the appearance of a perfect job - near clear water and the glass as good as full. But this would only be an illusion.
We are people of dust and stains …
When our lives become problematic and are spilt out on the ground we find a way to pick ourselves up and patch ourselves together, and often we don’t involve God in that process. Millions of non-Christians and Christians alike live pieced together lives without God, displaying for all the world the illusion of togetherness. But if we scratch the surface, if we investigate further, we find that their lives contain the dirt of daily living, inadvertently gathered up as they hold themselves together: contaminated with the unhealed pain, uncontrolled desire and purposeless striving. We would see that they have not managed to pick up all that dropped and around them are scattered the discarded drops of life they could not reclaim. The struggles of life have left them damaged. Often though, to the outside observer, it looks as if the glass has been successfully and purely refilled.
The illustration shows us that this gathering up of life is not something that we can adequately do on our own: the truth we find here is that our lives cannot be “gathered up” by ourselves. They can only be pieced together and held together by God. He will not sweep away what we spill, nor will he contaminate what he brings together. He will devise a way.
Lord, we can only be made whole by a miracle. It is beyond the earthly and humanly possible, but I praise you that it is not beyond your divine will.
Piece me together.
Keep me together.
May I never again be separated from you.
Monday, 1 December 2008
how much is enough?
Standout Verses: Psalm 119:66, 73
I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
These verses almost seem out of place on first reading. In the middle of this psalm where Ezra spends verse after verse after many a verse declaring how much God’s law means to him, how much he delights in it, they jar. For the writer would otherwise seem to have it all sorted. He must be following God’s law. He loves it, honours it, meditates on it. He has hidden it in his heart and been overwhelmed with desire by it; hoped, rejoiced and wondered in it. It revives him, renews him and sustains him. Surely he must know them all, follow them all and keep them all. But no, for more is needed.
When you pause briefly it begins to make sense, and the truth begins to shine through. We only need to bring ourselves into the equation and we see the possibility of sin. We easily recognise that we like Paul (Rom 7:14) are “all too human” but our response is often to model ourselves after the writer of this psalm. “If I meditate on God’s law day and night, if I learn more, understand more, surely that will be enough,” we tell ourselves. We only get half the picture. Scriptural understanding alone is insufficient to bring about a change in our actions. That change follows a change of heart and of passions which comes from relationship. Scriptural understanding without a Jesus-relationship is meaningless head-noise. Scripture reading that focuses other than on building that relationship is just literary entertainment. The scriptures: the law, the prophets, poetry, gospels and letters point to God and exist to lead us to Him. All other uses are mere moralising sociological history and demean the Word of God.
I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
Lord God, this is my prayer too. Teach me good judgment and knowledge and give me the sense to follow your commands; and do it through building my relationship with Your Son.
I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
These verses almost seem out of place on first reading. In the middle of this psalm where Ezra spends verse after verse after many a verse declaring how much God’s law means to him, how much he delights in it, they jar. For the writer would otherwise seem to have it all sorted. He must be following God’s law. He loves it, honours it, meditates on it. He has hidden it in his heart and been overwhelmed with desire by it; hoped, rejoiced and wondered in it. It revives him, renews him and sustains him. Surely he must know them all, follow them all and keep them all. But no, for more is needed.
When you pause briefly it begins to make sense, and the truth begins to shine through. We only need to bring ourselves into the equation and we see the possibility of sin. We easily recognise that we like Paul (Rom 7:14) are “all too human” but our response is often to model ourselves after the writer of this psalm. “If I meditate on God’s law day and night, if I learn more, understand more, surely that will be enough,” we tell ourselves. We only get half the picture. Scriptural understanding alone is insufficient to bring about a change in our actions. That change follows a change of heart and of passions which comes from relationship. Scriptural understanding without a Jesus-relationship is meaningless head-noise. Scripture reading that focuses other than on building that relationship is just literary entertainment. The scriptures: the law, the prophets, poetry, gospels and letters point to God and exist to lead us to Him. All other uses are mere moralising sociological history and demean the Word of God.
I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
Lord God, this is my prayer too. Teach me good judgment and knowledge and give me the sense to follow your commands; and do it through building my relationship with Your Son.
Saturday, 29 November 2008
A delicate balance
Standout Verse - Proverbs 16:1
We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.
How often do we hear it said, “It’s all in God’s hands,” or “I’m simply trusting / leaving it to God”? And how often is that an excuse to not plan and to avoid work? An excuse to avoid working out a vision preferring to believe that directions will simply fall from the sky into our laps? It avoids us getting it wrong and gives us someone else to blame when solutions do not suddenly appear. This laziness is bad enough, but then we occasionally use verses such as this one to justify our actions. We ask, “If God will give us the answer, why make plans?” We claim a false scriptural mandate to ease our consciences. But when we do this we manipulate meaning so that we can discover what we always hoped to find.
You see, there is nothing in this verse that tells us that God will give us a plan. There is nothing here to say that if we put ourselves onto a holy-autopilot things will just happen as they were always meant to. There is no “Commit a task fully to the Lord and no effort will be required from you”. What there is is an expression of a delicate balance. We are to work and we are to listen.
We are to make plans. More than one. It is not for us to construct a scheme and then inform God that this is how He is to act; nor are we to shoehorn him into our plot. We are to make plans, using our imagination to create a spread of different ways forward and then look to God to discern which (in any so far) fits His will. We plan and then God answers.
So where is this delicate balance? It is in a partnership between our efforts and God’s control.
Lord, give me more creativity that I may better see the paths that lie ahead; give me also more stillness that I may better hear which path you call me from. Then together, may we plant my feet on the right way.
We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.
How often do we hear it said, “It’s all in God’s hands,” or “I’m simply trusting / leaving it to God”? And how often is that an excuse to not plan and to avoid work? An excuse to avoid working out a vision preferring to believe that directions will simply fall from the sky into our laps? It avoids us getting it wrong and gives us someone else to blame when solutions do not suddenly appear. This laziness is bad enough, but then we occasionally use verses such as this one to justify our actions. We ask, “If God will give us the answer, why make plans?” We claim a false scriptural mandate to ease our consciences. But when we do this we manipulate meaning so that we can discover what we always hoped to find.
You see, there is nothing in this verse that tells us that God will give us a plan. There is nothing here to say that if we put ourselves onto a holy-autopilot things will just happen as they were always meant to. There is no “Commit a task fully to the Lord and no effort will be required from you”. What there is is an expression of a delicate balance. We are to work and we are to listen.
We are to make plans. More than one. It is not for us to construct a scheme and then inform God that this is how He is to act; nor are we to shoehorn him into our plot. We are to make plans, using our imagination to create a spread of different ways forward and then look to God to discern which (in any so far) fits His will. We plan and then God answers.
So where is this delicate balance? It is in a partnership between our efforts and God’s control.
Lord, give me more creativity that I may better see the paths that lie ahead; give me also more stillness that I may better hear which path you call me from. Then together, may we plant my feet on the right way.
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Super Christians, Schmuper Christians
With apologies to the original author:
Why do we not have the courage to sing “Bound by pain and sorrow I bow before his throne”? Why in our hymnary are we always “Unbound”? Sure, we leave with freedom, but do we always come that way? I don’t.
Lord, teach us honesty in worship.
Alone and disillusioned from pretending I was free,Why must we all be super-Christians ... why can't we admit to struggling? The message of the gospel is not so feeble that it withers in the face of reality!
Powerless to change my life, to leave this misery.
But then I think about him, of his love, how can it be
That he would die and rise again and choose to live in me.
To be filled with his own presence and peace I do not know:
Bound by pain and sorrow I bow before his throne.
I find what I am seeking and I know that I am free
for I can do all things he asks by his power at work in me.
Christ in me, the hope of Glory:
Christ in me, the mystery:
Christ in me, God’s greatest story.
Brought to life at Calvary,
He’s my joy eternally
(Through his grace this I can see).
All because of Christ in me.
Why do we not have the courage to sing “Bound by pain and sorrow I bow before his throne”? Why in our hymnary are we always “Unbound”? Sure, we leave with freedom, but do we always come that way? I don’t.
Lord, teach us honesty in worship.
I must see what it cost Him
Standout Verses – John 13:1,4,5,8a
[Jesus] had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
“No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”
And I protest too. But at least Peter had the excuse of not having read the passage many times before and having heard sermons on it and read theological treatise explaining it. For him this was new and unfamiliar: it would be uncomfortable and I understand that reaction. For me it is uncomfortable to read this and imagine Jesus wrapping a towel around his waist and walk up to my feet, but for different reasons. I feel that I would sully him; tarnish his deity by him having to come into contact with me, for I know where those feet have been today … the paths I trod in my actions and my words and my thoughts. These feet are dirty and Jesus should only bend down to cleaner feet than these, for he deserves the best and that is not what I can offer today; not what I can offer most days. Sometimes I can only offer my worst … it is the best that I can do and it is the reality of me. If he comes near my feet then the water would be stinkin’ and the towel would be boggin’. Jesus would be covered in filth, in my filth, and that is uncomfortable to me.
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Jn 13:1):
Still he loves us.
Still he loves me.
Of course … Of course. The only feet worth cleaning are the dirty ones.
Standout Verse – John 13:8b
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
The cost of forgiveness is not one sided, for I must pay a cost too. I must see what it cost Him.
Psalm 119:4-8
Lord,
[Jesus] had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
“No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”
And I protest too. But at least Peter had the excuse of not having read the passage many times before and having heard sermons on it and read theological treatise explaining it. For him this was new and unfamiliar: it would be uncomfortable and I understand that reaction. For me it is uncomfortable to read this and imagine Jesus wrapping a towel around his waist and walk up to my feet, but for different reasons. I feel that I would sully him; tarnish his deity by him having to come into contact with me, for I know where those feet have been today … the paths I trod in my actions and my words and my thoughts. These feet are dirty and Jesus should only bend down to cleaner feet than these, for he deserves the best and that is not what I can offer today; not what I can offer most days. Sometimes I can only offer my worst … it is the best that I can do and it is the reality of me. If he comes near my feet then the water would be stinkin’ and the towel would be boggin’. Jesus would be covered in filth, in my filth, and that is uncomfortable to me.
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Jn 13:1):
Jesus knew he would be betrayed by one of his disciples, denied by another, and deserted by all of them for a time. Still he “loved them to the very end.” God knows us completely … He knows the sins we have committed and the ones we will yet commit. Still he loves us. How do you respond to that kind of love?I respond with disbelief and choked back tears and they switch about. Love like this … forgiveness like this ... is beyond my grasp. Grace is more than I can comprehend.
Still he loves us.
Still he loves me.
Of course … Of course. The only feet worth cleaning are the dirty ones.
Standout Verse – John 13:8b
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
The cost of forgiveness is not one sided, for I must pay a cost too. I must see what it cost Him.
Psalm 119:4-8
Lord,
You have charged meAmen.
to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Bible Reading and Blogging
Why did I stop?
Romans 7:14b,15
The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa
Romans 7:14b,15
The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
which way does my life lead?
This seems a bit tenuous because I could not type quickly enough to keep up with my train of thought …
Proverbs 15:24
The path of life leads upwards for the wise; they leave the grave behind.
Notice the aspect here- this is not a prophecy of what will come nor a promise for the future, but a comment upon the now. It is the present continuous. As we walk wisely the shadow of the grave falls away. The place where nothing can be attained, where hope deserts us and where actions begin to fade grows ever more distant. Wise walking directs us upwards to accomplishment, faith and lasting achievement.
Matt Stone commenting on the rubicon's question, “who would miss [your church] if you weren’t there anymore?” says, “I don't think the average person in the street would panic if we suddenly weren't there one day, but we have forged relationships with some local families who very much value our friendship and presence in their lives.”
There is something lasting being done there by his church. I wonder however whether these are questions to be asked of our own lives. Are we making a lasting impact – one that will outlive our time on earth?
How would you answer these questions?
Proverbs 15:24
The path of life leads upwards for the wise; they leave the grave behind.
Notice the aspect here- this is not a prophecy of what will come nor a promise for the future, but a comment upon the now. It is the present continuous. As we walk wisely the shadow of the grave falls away. The place where nothing can be attained, where hope deserts us and where actions begin to fade grows ever more distant. Wise walking directs us upwards to accomplishment, faith and lasting achievement.
Matt Stone commenting on the rubicon's question, “who would miss [your church] if you weren’t there anymore?” says, “I don't think the average person in the street would panic if we suddenly weren't there one day, but we have forged relationships with some local families who very much value our friendship and presence in their lives.”
There is something lasting being done there by his church. I wonder however whether these are questions to be asked of our own lives. Are we making a lasting impact – one that will outlive our time on earth?
How would you answer these questions?
- So you are a Christian- who would miss you if you weren’t there anymore?
- So you are a Christian- who is it you find yourself ministering to… people like you?
- So you are a Christian- what point has there been to your existence - for whose benefit?
- So you are a Christian- how dirty have you got trying to be a transforming influence in your community?
- So you are a Christian- why do you do what you do?
- So you are a Christian- do you embody the gospel by standing up for true love, justice and grace?
It’s harder when they are so personal. I wonder how I would answer them …
Does the path of my life lead me upwards? Does it lead others that way?
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
the faith of doubting Thomas
STANDOUT VERSE- John 11:16
Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too – and die with Jesus.”
Jesus and the disciples had only just escaped from an angry mob in Jerusalem that had been trying to stone them for blasphemy. To return was asking for trouble and Lazarus lived just a few miles away and the people of Jerusalem had come to comfort Mary and Martha. Thomas is perhaps best known for his doubting. Not being there when Jesus appeared in the upper room, he was reluctant to believe in Jesus’ resurrection. Yet here, immediately after witnessing Lazarus’ resurrection, Thomas makes a statement of great faith and commitment.
The other disciples, including those whom who we applaud for their great courage, tried to talk Jesus out of this course of action yet the only one who has faith is doubting Thomas. He remembers the voice that spoke and wonders what may have changed since he first heard Jesus say, “Follow me!” He knew his call. Does Jesus need to say it again just because times have gotten hard, as if that first call only applied to the good times? Does He first call, “Follow me when times are best!” and later “Follow me through the mildly irritating!” Does the call to discipleship slowly ramp up to a climax of “Follow me to a fiery furnace, to battle a giant, to a cross: to death!” Is sacrifice only for the spiritually mature?
When I responded to the call “Follow me!” nothing more was said. The way ahead was unknown and all I knew was that Jesus would be there on the road ahead – the great shepherd, whose voice I would come to know better gathering me in and walking before. And right then I needed to know nothing else. Sometimes, like the other disciples and as time has gone on, I want to know more and I choose to imagine that I responded to more than those two words.
And doubting Thomas’ faith shames me.
Lord give me the faith of doubting Thomas and as I walk into today may I go, prepared even to die with Jesus.
Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too – and die with Jesus.”
Jesus and the disciples had only just escaped from an angry mob in Jerusalem that had been trying to stone them for blasphemy. To return was asking for trouble and Lazarus lived just a few miles away and the people of Jerusalem had come to comfort Mary and Martha. Thomas is perhaps best known for his doubting. Not being there when Jesus appeared in the upper room, he was reluctant to believe in Jesus’ resurrection. Yet here, immediately after witnessing Lazarus’ resurrection, Thomas makes a statement of great faith and commitment.
The other disciples, including those whom who we applaud for their great courage, tried to talk Jesus out of this course of action yet the only one who has faith is doubting Thomas. He remembers the voice that spoke and wonders what may have changed since he first heard Jesus say, “Follow me!” He knew his call. Does Jesus need to say it again just because times have gotten hard, as if that first call only applied to the good times? Does He first call, “Follow me when times are best!” and later “Follow me through the mildly irritating!” Does the call to discipleship slowly ramp up to a climax of “Follow me to a fiery furnace, to battle a giant, to a cross: to death!” Is sacrifice only for the spiritually mature?
When I responded to the call “Follow me!” nothing more was said. The way ahead was unknown and all I knew was that Jesus would be there on the road ahead – the great shepherd, whose voice I would come to know better gathering me in and walking before. And right then I needed to know nothing else. Sometimes, like the other disciples and as time has gone on, I want to know more and I choose to imagine that I responded to more than those two words.
And doubting Thomas’ faith shames me.
Lord give me the faith of doubting Thomas and as I walk into today may I go, prepared even to die with Jesus.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
When All You’ve Got Is A "Maybe"
Standout Verse – 1 Samuel 14:6-7 (NKJV)
Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armour, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.” So his armour-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.”
Sometimes other people say what you want to say much better than you would have done. Sometimes they say what you wish you could but never would have said. Sometimes others exceed you. When they do it is an immeasurable blessing for they stretch you beyond the present confines of self.
Today was a day when I was blessed by someone exceeding my insight on this verse, which caught my attention. Keith Linkous’ insight was marvellous and I reproduce a slightly edited version below. See http://sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=38032 for a full transcript.
From: When All You’ve Got Is A "Maybe", by Keith Linkous
Lord, I too don’t want to excuse inactivity any longer by giving lame excuses that are not full of faith but instead full of doubtful reasoning. Teach me to move on out, test the doorknob, push on the door, and step out in faith. Give me a faith that moves me, motivates me, and activates me, when all I’ve got is a "maybe".
Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armour, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.” So his armour-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart.”
Sometimes other people say what you want to say much better than you would have done. Sometimes they say what you wish you could but never would have said. Sometimes others exceed you. When they do it is an immeasurable blessing for they stretch you beyond the present confines of self.
Today was a day when I was blessed by someone exceeding my insight on this verse, which caught my attention. Keith Linkous’ insight was marvellous and I reproduce a slightly edited version below. See http://sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=38032 for a full transcript.
From: When All You’ve Got Is A "Maybe", by Keith Linkous
The future, the absolute direction Jonathan needed for the present time just was not clear. All he could say was "It may be..." He couldn’t be sure one way or the other. He seemed to, and probably did, feel that it was the right thing to do, but there is uncertainty revealed in his words. There seemed to be some doubt.
I believe that there are times when we have uncertainties and doubts when the enemy is not majorly involved. There are times when we are just unsure and unclear on the right step to take, and the right move to make. Sometimes, all we have is a sense, a feeling, and something abstract. We have nothing concrete and sure. Most of the time, in every area of life, we like guarantees. We like the sure thing. But the "sure thing" doesn’t require any faith. In Hebrews 11:6, faith is identified as a prerequisite for pleasing God. The truth is most of us will face more "maybe’s" than we will certainties in our walk with God. There will be times when we have a sense of what’s right, what God’s will is, but we will still have doubts and uncertainties.
Ecclesiastes 11 talks about "not watching the wind and clouds." What does that mean? I believe it means: Don’t get caught up watching the natural circumstances. Don’t get distracted by waiting for natural things to align themselves. Listen: If all we do is wait on the right time, on the right conditions, on the right people, or the right atmosphere, then all we will ever do is sit around talking about "how bad we need things to line up" so we can get things done!
The metaphor used in Ecclesiastes 11, relates this truth to sowing and reaping. "He who regards the wind will never sow, and he that observes the clouds will never reap." Whether sowing or reaping, you can’t sit around waiting on "perfect" conditions before you take action. Don’t wait on the wind, and don’t focus on the clouds. And if we wait to do anything for God, until we are absolutely sure that it’s the right thing, then we will only sit around and miss miracles!
Sometimes you have to move out on a "maybe." Now I’m not talking about senseless action, and trusting God to empower our every whim. But I do believe that there are times when you have to step out by faith, and that means that YOU WILL NOT BE SURE. To wait until you’re sure is not moving by faith. All you may have is a "maybe". But I believe the Lord would say, "If you will begin to move out on a maybe, I will transform your maybe into a MIRACLE!"
We are to walk by faith and not by sight. That means take a chance, move out even when you’re unsure. Move out on a "maybe". That means you can still have some doubts and reservations. You can still have questions, and not know the whole plan. But if you will move out on a "maybe," then God can do an awesome work, just because you stepped out in "maybe faith."
So, what are you going to do when you’re not certain? Are you just going to sit back and wait on the natural circumstances to align themselves? Are you going to wait for
conditions that are perfect to launch the ministry expansion God put on your heart?
Jesus said, "I am he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens." I believe that God can open and shut doors that we, nor anyone else, can do anything about. *HOWEVER, I also believe that there are doors that God unlocks, but leaves closed, seeing if we have the faith to try the doorknob! I believe we have often missed God’s movement and direction, because we wanted to see the entire panoramic view. But God may just be wanting us to "push on the door" a little bit!
I believe that God will draw you to an unlocked door, that is closed, and then give you a "maybe" condition, and see what your faith will cause you to do! Some people are worried about making a mistake. And it is a possibility. But I have come to know that you can not make a mess so big that God cannot turn it around. You can’t make a mistake so big, that God cannot erase it. If you give yourself permission to fail or falter, you give yourself permission to try. And sometimes, that’s all God wants. He just wants you to try!
Now, you may think that we are only to move out on a surety. But do you realize how many natural decisions we make, based on a "maybe"? What about marriage? What about fishing? What about these deer hunters that get up a 3:00 A.M. while it’s still dark, put on camouflage, go to the woods, get in a tree stand and sit for EIGHT HOURS? They are doing all of that based on a "MAYBE!" *And if people will do natural, menial things based on a "maybe," could it be possible that God wants us to incorporate that kind of faith into the realm of Spiritual matters?
A man brought his demon possessed son to Jesus, to get him to cast the devils out. Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible." But the man replied: "I believe. But help my unbelief." Now, that sounds like "Schizophrenic Faith." First he believes, then he doesn’t believe. But I believe that he was saying: "All I have hope in is a ’MAYBE!’ I know you can do it, but I’m not sure what you’re going to do." But Jesus moved on his behalf, and turned his "maybe" into a MIRACLE!
Now let me return to 1Samuel 14 very quickly. The scene is that of Jonathan and his armour-bearer coming to a place where they were facing a garrison of the Philistines. Some believe this to be up to 250 armed soldiers. So it was 2 against 250. What were they to do? Jonathan says, "Let us go over unto them, for IT MAY BE that the Lord will work for us." Now listen: An armour-bearer didn’t have his own weaponry and armour. He only bore that of his master. So there was only one sword among them, and they want to "attack!"
And the armour bearer proves that he’s just as "crazy" as Jonathan, because he says, "I’m with you. Do what’s in your heart!" Oh Lord, give us a church full of people like that. People who will move out on a maybe, and others who will say, "We’re with you!"
Look at what these men were missing. They were at a place of insufficiency. They had insufficient personnel, insufficient weaponry or equipment, and insufficient plans. They weren’t equipped, or able in the natural to do it. But they also had something else: THEY HAD "MAYBE FAITH." They didn’t have assurance, but they had faith in a "maybe"! And God intervened on there behalf, and wrought a wonderful victory!
I don’t want to excuse my inactivity any longer, nor the church’s inactivity, by giving lame excuses that are not full of faith, but full of doubtful reasoning. I don’t plan
on my last words being "It’s just not time yet." I think it’s time that we analyze our faith, and begin to step out on a "MAYBE", and trust God to turn that "maybe" into a miracle! When all you’ve got is a "maybe," MAYBE God is wanting you to move on out, test the doorknob, push on the door, and step out in faith. And what is faith? What is it really?
Faith is what moves you, motivates you, and ACTIVATES you, WHEN ALL YOU’VE GOT IS A "MAYBE".
Lord, I too don’t want to excuse inactivity any longer by giving lame excuses that are not full of faith but instead full of doubtful reasoning. Teach me to move on out, test the doorknob, push on the door, and step out in faith. Give me a faith that moves me, motivates me, and activates me, when all I’ve got is a "maybe".
Monday, 12 May 2008
one mistake away
1Samuel 12:20-22
Don’t be afraid … You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonour his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people.
How often do we despair when we have done wrong and realise our sinfulness? Convinced that the Lord will finally say that enough is enough and declare we have gone too far?
Casting Crowns sing a song with this lyric:
Though this feeling is natural it is unnecessary. In fact it demonstrates a misunderstanding of God and of our relationship with Him. And it shows a misunderstanding of what grace truly is. We often say that we cannot work to achieve our salvation; that it comes not by our actions but only by the gift of God.
Doctrine 8 of The Salvation Army
But somehow we don’t always allow that to extend into our relationship with God. It is as if we think that God will get fed up of and abandon us if we fail to meet his standard. We remove the aspect of grace from our understanding of salvation when we read the next doctrine.
Doctrine 9 of The Salvation Army
Casting Crowns continue:
Today God says to us: “Don’t be afraid … You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship Me with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on Me. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! I will not abandon you, because that would dishonour My great name. For it has pleased me to make you My own. It has pleased me … pleased me.”
Lord God, today and every other day: may I please You.
Don’t be afraid … You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonour his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people.
How often do we despair when we have done wrong and realise our sinfulness? Convinced that the Lord will finally say that enough is enough and declare we have gone too far?
Casting Crowns sing a song with this lyric:
I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
Though this feeling is natural it is unnecessary. In fact it demonstrates a misunderstanding of God and of our relationship with Him. And it shows a misunderstanding of what grace truly is. We often say that we cannot work to achieve our salvation; that it comes not by our actions but only by the gift of God.
Doctrine 8 of The Salvation Army
We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ …
But somehow we don’t always allow that to extend into our relationship with God. It is as if we think that God will get fed up of and abandon us if we fail to meet his standard. We remove the aspect of grace from our understanding of salvation when we read the next doctrine.
Doctrine 9 of The Salvation Army
We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.Samuel reminds us that we need to restore grace into continued salvation and gives us insight into a balance that needs to be achieved. A symbiosis between the need for continued obedient faith and a recognition that such obedience is not the fount of salvation. Obedience is not required because the slightest flaw of the regenerate life will result in eternal damnation but because disobedience is the root of turning from God. Samuel shows us that when the relationship with God ends it does so not because God has tired of us but because we have turned our backs upon Him. Grace extends to the disciple as to the unbeliever. Though we may feel one mistake away, the danger is that we stay that way – not that we are left. It is not a well place fear that God abandon us, but an unknowing recognition that we are abandoning Him. For such is sin.
Casting Crowns continue:
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You’re holding on to me.
Today God says to us: “Don’t be afraid … You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship Me with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on Me. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! I will not abandon you, because that would dishonour My great name. For it has pleased me to make you My own. It has pleased me … pleased me.”
Lord God, today and every other day: may I please You.
Friday, 9 May 2008
Dagon leads the way
1 SAMUEL 5:2-4
[The Philistines] carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the Lord! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again. But the next morning the same thing happened—Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the Lord again.
Dagon fell face down, and not just his idol … Isaiah 19 talks of the idols of Egypt trembling; Isaiah 46 of the gods of Babylon bowing low to the ground; Philippians 2 that every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. So down he falls, face down before the ark, even though the ark was placed to the side. “Facing,” as Matthew Henry puts it “the conqueror, to whom he is constrained to yield and do homage
All creation will worship. And will do so at the place where it is and even within its own stronghold. Dagon was in the place of his greatest strength – in his own temple, the place where he received worship. The Philistines wished to claim their greater strength by placing the ark into their temple, subservient to their god. But this plan failed. How could they claim that they were greater than the Israelites if their God could not stand before the ark. They believed that their power was tied to the strength of their god, but, as Matthew Henry also says, “by falling prostrate before the ark of God, which was a posture of adoration, [he] did as it were direct his worshippers to pay their homage to the God of Israel, as greater than all gods.” Their hope was misplaced and their strength in a creature who could not remain on his feet in the presence of their enemies’ law or the signs of their enemy’s God’s goodness and saving power (the tablets, mannah and rod kept within the ark. In fact Aaron’s rod which, as a content of the ark, they brought into their temple had already demonstrated its superiority over the gods of Egypt by, as a snake, swallowing the rods of the Egyptian priests.)
What are our idols? To what, other than God, do we pay tribute? One day these will bow alongside us before God; they will recognise that He is greater than they. How foolish will we then feel for having given them, at times, greater regard than we gave to the Lord? If we have set the law of God within our hearts and we become a visible testimony to the goodness and saving power of God, then we must take heed to the ark and to this verse. We have no need to be subservient to false gods; to be so is to dishonour the God we serve and bear witness to. We must bring the idols that surround us crashing down. We must worship God alone.
.....My hope is built on nothing less
.....Than Jesus' blood and righteousness,
.....I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
.....But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
..........On Christ, the solid rock, I stand,
..........All other ground is sinking sand.
Place me on Solid Rock.
[The Philistines] carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the Lord! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again. But the next morning the same thing happened—Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the Lord again.
Dagon fell face down, and not just his idol … Isaiah 19 talks of the idols of Egypt trembling; Isaiah 46 of the gods of Babylon bowing low to the ground; Philippians 2 that every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. So down he falls, face down before the ark, even though the ark was placed to the side. “Facing,” as Matthew Henry puts it “the conqueror, to whom he is constrained to yield and do homage
All creation will worship. And will do so at the place where it is and even within its own stronghold. Dagon was in the place of his greatest strength – in his own temple, the place where he received worship. The Philistines wished to claim their greater strength by placing the ark into their temple, subservient to their god. But this plan failed. How could they claim that they were greater than the Israelites if their God could not stand before the ark. They believed that their power was tied to the strength of their god, but, as Matthew Henry also says, “by falling prostrate before the ark of God, which was a posture of adoration, [he] did as it were direct his worshippers to pay their homage to the God of Israel, as greater than all gods.” Their hope was misplaced and their strength in a creature who could not remain on his feet in the presence of their enemies’ law or the signs of their enemy’s God’s goodness and saving power (the tablets, mannah and rod kept within the ark. In fact Aaron’s rod which, as a content of the ark, they brought into their temple had already demonstrated its superiority over the gods of Egypt by, as a snake, swallowing the rods of the Egyptian priests.)
What are our idols? To what, other than God, do we pay tribute? One day these will bow alongside us before God; they will recognise that He is greater than they. How foolish will we then feel for having given them, at times, greater regard than we gave to the Lord? If we have set the law of God within our hearts and we become a visible testimony to the goodness and saving power of God, then we must take heed to the ark and to this verse. We have no need to be subservient to false gods; to be so is to dishonour the God we serve and bear witness to. We must bring the idols that surround us crashing down. We must worship God alone.
.....My hope is built on nothing less
.....Than Jesus' blood and righteousness,
.....I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
.....But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
..........On Christ, the solid rock, I stand,
..........All other ground is sinking sand.
Place me on Solid Rock.
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
which do you follow
John 5:39-40
You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.
Sin can be very subtle in its starting form. I recently recorded a TV programme called Jesus Camp which I have been watching. It came with a health warning to those who watched it that they may find some scenes disturbing. They were right for me, though perhaps for different reasons. Among the things that disturbed me was an American family who, as well as the daily pledge of allegiance to the American flag also said a pledge of allegiance to the bible: “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word, I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.” Is this a nice touch – teaching them patriotism and godliness or is it bibliolatry? Is it selling out and seeking to model faith on secular culture or is it an incarnational reinvention?
As part of my daily worship I also saw the video below, which reminded me that incarnation is not about reinventing and compromising faith to fit into contemporary culture selling out, but is getting down and dirty: making the move to be amongst and one of whilst yet retaining purity and modelling holiness in the midst.
That TV programme also showed me (an adult – I didn’t like it’s presentation style to young children) an illustration of sin. A minister said that when we first come across it its can seem quite attractive - perhaps even cute, cuddly and harmless – like a lion cub. You can see where the rest of the illustration goes. Retaining that purity and finding holiness is therefore not easy but it is impossible if, as with those Jesus was speaking to, we become so involved in religion that we miss Christ.
To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me,
In every thought and deed,
this is my aim, my creed;
To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me,
His Spirit helping me,
Like him I'll be.
You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.
Sin can be very subtle in its starting form. I recently recorded a TV programme called Jesus Camp which I have been watching. It came with a health warning to those who watched it that they may find some scenes disturbing. They were right for me, though perhaps for different reasons. Among the things that disturbed me was an American family who, as well as the daily pledge of allegiance to the American flag also said a pledge of allegiance to the bible: “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word, I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.” Is this a nice touch – teaching them patriotism and godliness or is it bibliolatry? Is it selling out and seeking to model faith on secular culture or is it an incarnational reinvention?
As part of my daily worship I also saw the video below, which reminded me that incarnation is not about reinventing and compromising faith to fit into contemporary culture selling out, but is getting down and dirty: making the move to be amongst and one of whilst yet retaining purity and modelling holiness in the midst.
That TV programme also showed me (an adult – I didn’t like it’s presentation style to young children) an illustration of sin. A minister said that when we first come across it its can seem quite attractive - perhaps even cute, cuddly and harmless – like a lion cub. You can see where the rest of the illustration goes. Retaining that purity and finding holiness is therefore not easy but it is impossible if, as with those Jesus was speaking to, we become so involved in religion that we miss Christ.
To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me,
In every thought and deed,
this is my aim, my creed;
To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me,
His Spirit helping me,
Like him I'll be.
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
a doormat for Jesus (part 2)
On 31st March I wrote about being a doormat for Jesus, and I have spent much time thinking about Jesus’ call to turn the other cheek and how to do so is a sign of strength and defiance rather than weakness and submission.
A very useful discussion on this point is available from http://www.emergentvillage.com/podcast/samir-selmanovic-courage . It is an mp3, an hour long, but if you have the time free it is well worth a visit.
A very useful discussion on this point is available from http://www.emergentvillage.com/podcast/samir-selmanovic-courage . It is an mp3, an hour long, but if you have the time free it is well worth a visit.
fear and reaping
Proverbs 14:27
Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain.
John 4:35
Wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
Grant me reverent fear.
Teach me to reap.
Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain.
John 4:35
Wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
Grant me reverent fear.
Teach me to reap.
Saturday, 3 May 2008
when ... then
When you're dull from all that glitters - when your thoughts have a hollow ring
When you can't escape from the feeling - you're getting it wrong
All your foolproof plans seem foolish - all your status is status quo
All you really need to know is where you belong.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus - Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of his glory and grace.
I was used to the cold for so long - that I couldn't feel anything
And I shivered and stared - like a begger that won't lift his hands
I was numb until he touched me - I was deaf until he heard
I was senseless 'til I met the one who understands.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus - Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of his glory and grace.
A beautiful song by Newsboys. It has been special to me for a long time, and it is so true.
Lord, turn my eyes upon you.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
I am the city of the Lord
When your life feels in turmoil, where do you go?
When you read verses of scripture that contrast the godly with the wicked
.... and are unsure on which side you fall, what do you do?
Confess
But when the heavens feel like brass, how do you pray?
Psalm 101:
Make me free.
Keep me free.
When you read verses of scripture that contrast the godly with the wicked
.... and are unsure on which side you fall, what do you do?
Confess
But when the heavens feel like brass, how do you pray?
Psalm 101:
I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.I am the city of the Lord.
......I will praise you with songs.
I will be careful to live a blameless life—
......when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity
......in my own home.
I will refuse to look at
......anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
......I will have nothing to do with them.
I will reject perverse ideas
......and stay away from every evil.
I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.
......I will not endure conceit and pride.
I will search for faithful people
......to be my companions.
Only those who are above reproach
......will be allowed to serve me.
I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house,
......and liars will not stay in my presence.
My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked
......and free the city of the Lord from their grip.
Make me free.
Keep me free.
Monday, 31 March 2008
a doormat for Jesus
Standout Verses – Luke 6:29,30
If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.
I remember being told on many occasions that, important though it is to be generous, we must be careful that we do not become a doormat. Why?
I also remember being told that we should take humility only so far and not become weak; that unlimited meekness becomes downtroddenness.
Even if others come to take us for granted does that mean that we cease in our generosity? If others think they are better than us, should we become proud? If others want to thrown their weight around should we become a bully? Surely not. When we pause we see that true meekness requires more strength than the bully possesses, humility more character than the proud could ever proclaim. Generosity would not be a virtue if it were easy, and if were it not costly it would not be valued. True generosity should have no limits, and Christlike generosity should go further still, and not stop at what is asked of us, but offer all it can.
Lord, make me truly generous, humble and meek.
If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.
I remember being told on many occasions that, important though it is to be generous, we must be careful that we do not become a doormat. Why?
I also remember being told that we should take humility only so far and not become weak; that unlimited meekness becomes downtroddenness.
Even if others come to take us for granted does that mean that we cease in our generosity? If others think they are better than us, should we become proud? If others want to thrown their weight around should we become a bully? Surely not. When we pause we see that true meekness requires more strength than the bully possesses, humility more character than the proud could ever proclaim. Generosity would not be a virtue if it were easy, and if were it not costly it would not be valued. True generosity should have no limits, and Christlike generosity should go further still, and not stop at what is asked of us, but offer all it can.
Lord, make me truly generous, humble and meek.
Thursday, 27 March 2008
we need wisdom
Standout Verses - Luke 5:29-31
Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honour. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”
Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. …”
I spent a large part of yesterday renewing my child protection training, and amongst the questions that were addressed was how we can and whether we should (re)integrate sex offenders into a congregation. This question from the Pharisees came to my mind and I wondered “who are the tax collectors of today?” Who are the sinners we find hard to integrate into our society? And the obvious answer for the day came to mind. In both cases it was for very good reason that their society fears them and their often predatory natures. Yet that was where Jesus was. With tax collectors, sinners and prostitutes. But did he stay with every tax collector? Levi (Matthew) and Zacchaeus are two we know of and likely there were others, but equally there will have been some with whom he did not stay. In our world how can we know the difference?
Additional Verse of note – Luke 5:32
“ … I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
Notice that Jesus does not say he came to call sinners, but “those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” What can that teach us?
Lord, when dealing with the messiness of people’s lives and of our communities: when living in a fallen world we need your wisdom and guidance. Grant it to me, I pray.
Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honour. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?”
Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. …”
I spent a large part of yesterday renewing my child protection training, and amongst the questions that were addressed was how we can and whether we should (re)integrate sex offenders into a congregation. This question from the Pharisees came to my mind and I wondered “who are the tax collectors of today?” Who are the sinners we find hard to integrate into our society? And the obvious answer for the day came to mind. In both cases it was for very good reason that their society fears them and their often predatory natures. Yet that was where Jesus was. With tax collectors, sinners and prostitutes. But did he stay with every tax collector? Levi (Matthew) and Zacchaeus are two we know of and likely there were others, but equally there will have been some with whom he did not stay. In our world how can we know the difference?
Additional Verse of note – Luke 5:32
“ … I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”
Notice that Jesus does not say he came to call sinners, but “those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” What can that teach us?
Lord, when dealing with the messiness of people’s lives and of our communities: when living in a fallen world we need your wisdom and guidance. Grant it to me, I pray.
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
no compromise
Standout Verse – Numbers 33:55
But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live.
Do you ever just want the Word of God to be a little more cryptic. Have you ever wanted to carry on reading more and more in the hope that you would come across a different passage that would jump out at you so that you could claim that as God’s message to you for the day. Have you ever known the voice of God and wish he’d kept the message for another day?
Just as the Israelites were to drive out all the wickedness from the land they were being given, so we as Christians are to drive out all sin from our lives. Twice now the Israelites have failed to drive out the evil: once because they were afraid (of their giant scale); now because they wish to compromise (since they seem harmless, even attractive). They wished that God had been more cryptic, that he would say something else that is easier, that he would keep the message for another day. But he didn’t, for he knew the damage that their remaining would cause.
Today it is still true – God is not cryptic, but clear; his message is challenging and it comes at the right time.
Lord, teach me to accept your word.
But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live.
Do you ever just want the Word of God to be a little more cryptic. Have you ever wanted to carry on reading more and more in the hope that you would come across a different passage that would jump out at you so that you could claim that as God’s message to you for the day. Have you ever known the voice of God and wish he’d kept the message for another day?
Just as the Israelites were to drive out all the wickedness from the land they were being given, so we as Christians are to drive out all sin from our lives. Twice now the Israelites have failed to drive out the evil: once because they were afraid (of their giant scale); now because they wish to compromise (since they seem harmless, even attractive). They wished that God had been more cryptic, that he would say something else that is easier, that he would keep the message for another day. But he didn’t, for he knew the damage that their remaining would cause.
Today it is still true – God is not cryptic, but clear; his message is challenging and it comes at the right time.
Lord, teach me to accept your word.
Saturday, 22 March 2008
why then what ...
Standout Verse – Luke 4:41
The demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.
There have been many different suggestions I have come across (and possibly a few that I have formulated myself, though I doubt their ultimate originality) which try to explain why Jesus would have silenced the demons, but these two are making good food for thought:
· Jesus wanted his listeners to believe that he was the Messiah because of his words not because of the demon’s words.
· The demons called Jesus “Son of God“ because they knew who he really was. But Jesus intended to first show himself to be the suffering servant, as until they believed His sacrifice they wouldn’t understand his kingship and Deity.
Why do we believe in Jesus, and what do we understand.
Lord, open my eyes and open my ears that I may know Jesus as He wants to be known.
Additional verse of note – Proverbs 11:22
A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
Haha! Captured in a nutshell.
The demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.
There have been many different suggestions I have come across (and possibly a few that I have formulated myself, though I doubt their ultimate originality) which try to explain why Jesus would have silenced the demons, but these two are making good food for thought:
· Jesus wanted his listeners to believe that he was the Messiah because of his words not because of the demon’s words.
· The demons called Jesus “Son of God“ because they knew who he really was. But Jesus intended to first show himself to be the suffering servant, as until they believed His sacrifice they wouldn’t understand his kingship and Deity.
Why do we believe in Jesus, and what do we understand.
Lord, open my eyes and open my ears that I may know Jesus as He wants to be known.
Additional verse of note – Proverbs 11:22
A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
Haha! Captured in a nutshell.
Thursday, 20 March 2008
the extra mile
Standout Verse – Number 31:48
Then all the generals and captains came to Moses and said, “… we are presenting the items of gold we captured as an offering to the Lord …”
Then! In this one word the principle of Tithes and offerings can be found. Upon their return this army were require to surrender a proportion of their plunder to those who had remained and to the priests and Levites. This was done without fuss and seemingly as a matter of routine. The principle that what we earn is not ours alone and that what we possess comes from God and ultimately belongs to him was well understood; as was the principle of offering “first-fruits”: that we offer first to God and only then do we count what we have as disposable of ourselves. Once this tithe had been made the generals and captains set about the business of accounting for all their men. The importance of offering back to God was such that they had not yet determined whether they had any dead that needed burying or widows and families that would need informing. When they, during this exercise, realized that that had not suffered any losses they decided to present and offering to God. No matter that they had already surrendered 50.1% of what they had returned with, they wished to offer in thanks.
In whatever various things God asks of us do we go beyond the obligation as an expression of thanks for His goodness and of our love for Him?
Lord, show me the pathway of the extra mile and let me walk it joyfully.
Then all the generals and captains came to Moses and said, “… we are presenting the items of gold we captured as an offering to the Lord …”
Then! In this one word the principle of Tithes and offerings can be found. Upon their return this army were require to surrender a proportion of their plunder to those who had remained and to the priests and Levites. This was done without fuss and seemingly as a matter of routine. The principle that what we earn is not ours alone and that what we possess comes from God and ultimately belongs to him was well understood; as was the principle of offering “first-fruits”: that we offer first to God and only then do we count what we have as disposable of ourselves. Once this tithe had been made the generals and captains set about the business of accounting for all their men. The importance of offering back to God was such that they had not yet determined whether they had any dead that needed burying or widows and families that would need informing. When they, during this exercise, realized that that had not suffered any losses they decided to present and offering to God. No matter that they had already surrendered 50.1% of what they had returned with, they wished to offer in thanks.
In whatever various things God asks of us do we go beyond the obligation as an expression of thanks for His goodness and of our love for Him?
Lord, show me the pathway of the extra mile and let me walk it joyfully.
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
shh ...
PSALM 62:1,2
I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
shh …
Even David struggled and had to insert verses before each interlude and at the end, and ...
shh …
PSALM 62:5,6
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
shh …
- ! -
shh …
Lord,
I wait quietly.
Let all that I am wait quietly
I ...
shh …
I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
shh …
Even David struggled and had to insert verses before each interlude and at the end, and ...
shh …
PSALM 62:5,6
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
shh …
- ! -
shh …
Lord,
I wait quietly.
Let all that I am wait quietly
I ...
shh …
Tuesday, 18 March 2008
sprout, bud, blossom, produce
STANDOUT PASSAGE – Numbers 17
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to bring you twelve wooden staffs, one from each leader of Israel’s ancestral tribes, and inscribe each leader’s name on his staff. Inscribe Aaron’s name on the staff of the tribe of Levi, for there must be one staff for the leader of each ancestral tribe. Place these staffs in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark … Moses placed the staffs in the Lord’s presence in the Tabernacle of the Covenant. When he went into the Tabernacle of the Covenant the next day, he found that Aaron’s staff, representing the tribe of Levi, had sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds!
Where are you fruitful? Each staff had at one time been capable of bearing fruit – each had been part of a tree and in order to have been of sufficient quality for forming a functional staff would have come from a healthy tree. When cut off from its root, its setting, the world in general they became fruitless. Even in the presence of God they were simply sticks. To bring forth fruit they need to be rooted in the earth, planted in their setting. Only one was able to be fruitful while cut off, and then only because God had decreed that the people it represented were “dedicated to the Lord for service in the Tabernacle.” (Num 18:6) The implication is perhaps that it would not have sprouted, budded, blossomed and produced in the world.
In the church, and though we do not speak of it, our actions often seem to declare that we are all Levites. We are useful, fruitful, when in Gods house, cut off from the hardship and muck of the world. Outside God’s house is a trial and necessary evil we must endure until we may once again meet. Yet this model was to be true of only one clan, and the smallest clan at that (*). The place of blessing for the rest is in the world. It is when we are embroiled and dirty. It is when we are following Jesus’ example and mixing with “tax collectors and sinners”.
ADDITIONAL VERSE OF NOTE – Luke 3:12,14
Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
… “What should we do?” asked some soldiers …
For John his place of fruitfulness was dirty; was in the midst of corruption; in the midst of oppression. It was preaching an often unwelcome message of sinfulness, of repentance and of judgement.
Are you really a Levite? If not, where is your dirt? Are you in it up to your neck yet?
Lord God, being in the muck and dirt and getting filthy is not always where we want to be, for the sanitized tabernacle is where we find holiness and purity easiest. But you did not promise us ease in life, simply purpose and fruifulness. So Lord, fix me in the ground and get me embroiled in the dirt of worldy life so that I may bear fruit. May I sprout, bud, blossom and produce for you.
Amen.
(*) though initially the Levites at 23,000 [Num 26:62] may seem more numerous that the Simeonites at 22,200 [Num 26:14], itself by far smaller than all other tribes, the Levites were counted at one month old or older [Num 26:62] whilst all other tribes were only counted in men of 20 years or older [Num 26:4].
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to bring you twelve wooden staffs, one from each leader of Israel’s ancestral tribes, and inscribe each leader’s name on his staff. Inscribe Aaron’s name on the staff of the tribe of Levi, for there must be one staff for the leader of each ancestral tribe. Place these staffs in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark … Moses placed the staffs in the Lord’s presence in the Tabernacle of the Covenant. When he went into the Tabernacle of the Covenant the next day, he found that Aaron’s staff, representing the tribe of Levi, had sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds!
Where are you fruitful? Each staff had at one time been capable of bearing fruit – each had been part of a tree and in order to have been of sufficient quality for forming a functional staff would have come from a healthy tree. When cut off from its root, its setting, the world in general they became fruitless. Even in the presence of God they were simply sticks. To bring forth fruit they need to be rooted in the earth, planted in their setting. Only one was able to be fruitful while cut off, and then only because God had decreed that the people it represented were “dedicated to the Lord for service in the Tabernacle.” (Num 18:6) The implication is perhaps that it would not have sprouted, budded, blossomed and produced in the world.
In the church, and though we do not speak of it, our actions often seem to declare that we are all Levites. We are useful, fruitful, when in Gods house, cut off from the hardship and muck of the world. Outside God’s house is a trial and necessary evil we must endure until we may once again meet. Yet this model was to be true of only one clan, and the smallest clan at that (*). The place of blessing for the rest is in the world. It is when we are embroiled and dirty. It is when we are following Jesus’ example and mixing with “tax collectors and sinners”.
ADDITIONAL VERSE OF NOTE – Luke 3:12,14
Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
… “What should we do?” asked some soldiers …
For John his place of fruitfulness was dirty; was in the midst of corruption; in the midst of oppression. It was preaching an often unwelcome message of sinfulness, of repentance and of judgement.
Are you really a Levite? If not, where is your dirt? Are you in it up to your neck yet?
Lord God, being in the muck and dirt and getting filthy is not always where we want to be, for the sanitized tabernacle is where we find holiness and purity easiest. But you did not promise us ease in life, simply purpose and fruifulness. So Lord, fix me in the ground and get me embroiled in the dirt of worldy life so that I may bear fruit. May I sprout, bud, blossom and produce for you.
Amen.
(*) though initially the Levites at 23,000 [Num 26:62] may seem more numerous that the Simeonites at 22,200 [Num 26:14], itself by far smaller than all other tribes, the Levites were counted at one month old or older [Num 26:62] whilst all other tribes were only counted in men of 20 years or older [Num 26:4].
Monday, 17 March 2008
The balance and the fulcrim
STANDOUT VERSE – LUKE 2:51
Then [Jesus] returned to Nazareth with [His parents] and was obedient to them.
What an amazing display of humility and meekness. Such great power being placed under such great control. If I had the 12 Legions of angels at my constant call, the strength of God in my hands and the power that created the universe within my voice would I have always been obedient to my parents? Even when they didn’t understand what I was doing: why I was in a particular place? Surely this obedience would be strained further if they were then to be confused by my explanations!
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Lk 2:49,50):
This is pertinent to those in ministry. We can get so caught up in the doing of things to others that we neglect our relationships. There is a balance to be struck. But it must be a dynamic equilibrium in which we, as fulcrum, move our focus over the course of time.
I saw an excellent DVD from the 2006 Willow Creek Leadership Conference which explained this point far better than I. The talk was called “Dead Leader Running” and was by Wayne Cordeiro and is available from the Willow Creek website. If you are a leader in the church, I strongly recommend that you get hold of this from the website or from a friend and watch it regularly and absorb.
Then [Jesus] returned to Nazareth with [His parents] and was obedient to them.
What an amazing display of humility and meekness. Such great power being placed under such great control. If I had the 12 Legions of angels at my constant call, the strength of God in my hands and the power that created the universe within my voice would I have always been obedient to my parents? Even when they didn’t understand what I was doing: why I was in a particular place? Surely this obedience would be strained further if they were then to be confused by my explanations!
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Lk 2:49,50):
Even though he knew his real Father, Jesus did not reject his earthly parents.
He went back to Nazareth with them and lived under their authority for
another 18 years … If the Son of God obeyed his human parents, how much more
should we honour our family members! Don’t use commitment to God’s work to
justify neglecting your family.
This is pertinent to those in ministry. We can get so caught up in the doing of things to others that we neglect our relationships. There is a balance to be struck. But it must be a dynamic equilibrium in which we, as fulcrum, move our focus over the course of time.
I saw an excellent DVD from the 2006 Willow Creek Leadership Conference which explained this point far better than I. The talk was called “Dead Leader Running” and was by Wayne Cordeiro and is available from the Willow Creek website. If you are a leader in the church, I strongly recommend that you get hold of this from the website or from a friend and watch it regularly and absorb.
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Nunc Dimittis
STANDOUT VERSES – Luke 2:29-32
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
Nunc Dimittis: The song of Simeon.
One of the most beautiful prayer responses to salvation. For why could Simeon now die in peace? Is it because he would have been uneasy dying and meeting God with a promise unfulfilled? Was he worried about the potential embarrassing moment in the heavenly conversation where Simeon wondered whether or not to bring up that God broke His word? Even if that impossibility were to be realized, would such matters really be upon our minds when we are enjoying full and free fellowship with the creator God? No. Simeon was now able to die in peace not because the promise had been kept but because the substance of the promise was now realized. He had encountered the Lord’s Messiah. He had met Jesus. There is no other reasonable explanation as to why Simeon could now depart in peace. His death need not be quick from this point, but he knew that when it would come it would be peace. Only by encountering the Glory of Israel, the ultimate blessing to the nations can death be faced without need of fear. There is no other way by which we may die at peace.
Prayer from The Divine Office:
“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
Nunc Dimittis: The song of Simeon.
One of the most beautiful prayer responses to salvation. For why could Simeon now die in peace? Is it because he would have been uneasy dying and meeting God with a promise unfulfilled? Was he worried about the potential embarrassing moment in the heavenly conversation where Simeon wondered whether or not to bring up that God broke His word? Even if that impossibility were to be realized, would such matters really be upon our minds when we are enjoying full and free fellowship with the creator God? No. Simeon was now able to die in peace not because the promise had been kept but because the substance of the promise was now realized. He had encountered the Lord’s Messiah. He had met Jesus. There is no other reasonable explanation as to why Simeon could now depart in peace. His death need not be quick from this point, but he knew that when it would come it would be peace. Only by encountering the Glory of Israel, the ultimate blessing to the nations can death be faced without need of fear. There is no other way by which we may die at peace.
Prayer from The Divine Office:
At last, all-powerful Master,
You give leave to your servant
to go in peace, according to your promise.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all nations,
the light to enlighten the Gentiles,
and give glory to Israel, your people.
Saturday, 15 March 2008
God's ways are better than my ways.
STANDOUT VERSE – NUMBERS 22:21
So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials.
Are God’s ways best? And knowing God’s ways are best, do we always choose God’s way over our own? Do we occasionally choose your own way anyway?
This verse from numbers needs to be viewed in the light of verse 12: “But God told Balaam, “Do not go with them…” ” God was clear in his message. God did not stutter. God did not speak in code, in another language or in clues that needed piecing together. He gave his instruction in a way that Balaam could easily understand. There was no question about what God meant and what he wanted. Yet still Balaam disobeyed. This reminds me of Jonah who received clear instruction to go to Nineveh, yet decided to head for Tarshish.
Niether Balaam nor Jonah got into trouble because God didn’t give good directions. They got in trouble because he didn’t follow them. There wasn’t a problem with misunderstanding or misinterpretation. There was a problem with obedience. When God says do it, DO IT!
Lord, I am doing it again; help me persevere.
So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials.
Are God’s ways best? And knowing God’s ways are best, do we always choose God’s way over our own? Do we occasionally choose your own way anyway?
This verse from numbers needs to be viewed in the light of verse 12: “But God told Balaam, “Do not go with them…” ” God was clear in his message. God did not stutter. God did not speak in code, in another language or in clues that needed piecing together. He gave his instruction in a way that Balaam could easily understand. There was no question about what God meant and what he wanted. Yet still Balaam disobeyed. This reminds me of Jonah who received clear instruction to go to Nineveh, yet decided to head for Tarshish.
Niether Balaam nor Jonah got into trouble because God didn’t give good directions. They got in trouble because he didn’t follow them. There wasn’t a problem with misunderstanding or misinterpretation. There was a problem with obedience. When God says do it, DO IT!
Lord, I am doing it again; help me persevere.
A long time
It has been over 2 months since I journalled, and sadly and disastrously the same period since I was truly sincere about daily devotion – initially due to heading away on a training course, which got me out of the rhythm of a daily devotion. I returned to a very stressful situation and in a move of dramatic stupidity: with the need to work many hours, amongst the things I gave up to grant more time to work, I stopped spending time in God’s Word. Why do we, why do I do things of such idiocy?
God forgive me.
Since it has been such a long time, I am recommencing today on today’s reading and will not be attempting a “catch-up”
God forgive me.
Since it has been such a long time, I am recommencing today on today’s reading and will not be attempting a “catch-up”
Sunday, 13 January 2008
from one scarred hand to the other
STANDOUT VERSE - PSALM 103:12 (NKJV)
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
In preparation for my reading today I watched a presentation on Youtube, to the song “East to West” by casting crowns. These words really hit me as being immensely beautiful.
“East to West” by casting crowns
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
In preparation for my reading today I watched a presentation on Youtube, to the song “East to West” by casting crowns. These words really hit me as being immensely beautiful.
“East to West” by casting crowns
Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way
I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me
Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other
Lord, this is my prayer.
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Should he stay or should he go?
STANDOUT VERSE - MATTHEW 8:34
Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.
What had Jesus actually done? Why did he receive this treatment? He had healed two men and destroyed a herd of pigs in the process, but I wonder whether it really was the destruction of the pigs that caused them to ask him to leave. We don’t even know that the villagers were told about the pigs – only about the men.
Was it in fact the healing? Through that action they saw the power of Jesus. He was able to accomplish what their town leaders and cultic priests could not. The demons whom they feared and knew, knew Jesus and so feared him. What power this man might have. What things he might do to them. What would happen if he stayed? This man is a threat.
That power is still there. He can accomplish what our politicians, celebrities, sportsmen, pop-stars, anyone else in whom we place our hopes and dreams, cannot. He can heal the disease that is at the root of our being and remove our sin, but this means a change of who we are and that is a threat to our identity, worth and self-sufficiency. The threat is not new and created, for the real threat is sin just as it was the demons for the Gadarenes. Yet the world turns its fire against the solution.
When I realise my sinfulness do I turn my rage against the sin or the light which exposed it?
Would I rather have Jesus leave than transform me?
Jesus, change me.
Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.
What had Jesus actually done? Why did he receive this treatment? He had healed two men and destroyed a herd of pigs in the process, but I wonder whether it really was the destruction of the pigs that caused them to ask him to leave. We don’t even know that the villagers were told about the pigs – only about the men.
Was it in fact the healing? Through that action they saw the power of Jesus. He was able to accomplish what their town leaders and cultic priests could not. The demons whom they feared and knew, knew Jesus and so feared him. What power this man might have. What things he might do to them. What would happen if he stayed? This man is a threat.
That power is still there. He can accomplish what our politicians, celebrities, sportsmen, pop-stars, anyone else in whom we place our hopes and dreams, cannot. He can heal the disease that is at the root of our being and remove our sin, but this means a change of who we are and that is a threat to our identity, worth and self-sufficiency. The threat is not new and created, for the real threat is sin just as it was the demons for the Gadarenes. Yet the world turns its fire against the solution.
When I realise my sinfulness do I turn my rage against the sin or the light which exposed it?
Would I rather have Jesus leave than transform me?
Jesus, change me.
Friday, 11 January 2008
Never forget ...
STANDOUT PASSAGE - PROVERBS 3:3-6
My child, never forget … Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! …Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
How many times do we decide that we have found “the answer” and set out on our own course without having ever prayed about it? And how often does this decision deny such basic principles as loyalty and kindness and ignore God’s guidance, voice and will? Certainly it is too often for me … and no matter how rare, if it is ever, it is too often for you … and even when I realise this I persuade myself that God gave me the ability to reason for a purpose. And this is true – he did. But this purpose was not so that I may “go it alone.” I need to realise that my reasoning is just as fallen, just as sinful, as the rest of my being. It needs turning over to God and it needs sanctifying.
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Rebekah):
Lord, put your ways in my mind and write them deep in my heart. In all things may I trust you and in all things may I seek your will. May I never forget.
My child, never forget … Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! …Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
How many times do we decide that we have found “the answer” and set out on our own course without having ever prayed about it? And how often does this decision deny such basic principles as loyalty and kindness and ignore God’s guidance, voice and will? Certainly it is too often for me … and no matter how rare, if it is ever, it is too often for you … and even when I realise this I persuade myself that God gave me the ability to reason for a purpose. And this is true – he did. But this purpose was not so that I may “go it alone.” I need to realise that my reasoning is just as fallen, just as sinful, as the rest of my being. It needs turning over to God and it needs sanctifying.
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Rebekah):
When thinking about a course of action, are you simply seeking God’s stamp of approval on something you’ve already decided to do? Or are you willing to set the plan aside if the principles and commands of God’s word are against the action?And this sanctification is not a rubber stamp on the decision but the watermark that existed before the thought began. It cannot be. It must not be. For me, too often, it is. I need to learn to seek in all that I do and to trust with all my heart.
Lord, put your ways in my mind and write them deep in my heart. In all things may I trust you and in all things may I seek your will. May I never forget.
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Ouch ... and Thank You
STANDOUT PASSAGE – MATTHEW 6:25-33
[Do not] worry about everyday life … Why do you have so little faith? … Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Bang!
There it is, and that told me.
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Mt 6:24):
STANDOUT PASSAGE – MATTHEW 7:1-5
… How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! …
Starting to feel a bit bruised now. Perhaps that’s a good thing.
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Gen 19:26):
STANDOUT PASSAGE – PSALM 8
.. What are what are people that you should think about them, mere mortals that you should care for them? Yet … you crowned them with glory and honour …
That’s me that is!
Lord, I do have so little faith but I praise you that “Though you wound, you also bandage. You strike, but your hands also heal.” Give me faith for today. When I am being faithless continue to tell me. But then bandage the wound, heal, and give me faith.
[Do not] worry about everyday life … Why do you have so little faith? … Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Bang!
There it is, and that told me.
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Mt 6:24):
Either we store our treasures with God, focus our “eyes” on him, and serve him alone – or else we do not serve him at all. Where does your ultimate allegiance lie?And again!
STANDOUT PASSAGE – MATTHEW 7:1-5
… How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! …
Starting to feel a bit bruised now. Perhaps that’s a good thing.
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Gen 19:26):
You can’t make progress with God as long as you are holding onto pieces of your old life. Jesus sad it this way in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters.”I get the point, but don’t feel so bruised, for this offers hope that progress is possible.
STANDOUT PASSAGE – PSALM 8
.. What are what are people that you should think about them, mere mortals that you should care for them? Yet … you crowned them with glory and honour …
That’s me that is!
Lord, I do have so little faith but I praise you that “Though you wound, you also bandage. You strike, but your hands also heal.” Give me faith for today. When I am being faithless continue to tell me. But then bandage the wound, heal, and give me faith.
Monday, 7 January 2008
Melchizedek the unlikely
STANDOUT PASSAGE - GENESIS 14:17-20
…And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine …
I love the story of Melchizedek, it gets my blood going with excitement as all Christophanies do, as I see in this man the second person of the Godhead, the pre-incarnate Christ. It is one of those golden nuggets which demonstrates the perfection of God’s plan as through it you can see the actions of an Eternal God unconstrained by the bounds of time. Naturally therefore I read, devoured, the study notes on this passage and came across this phrase:
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Melchizedek):
Today we who follow Christ are also chosen for a reason and we need to remember the purpose of our calling and ensure that our focus remains on those who do not know God. Their future and our love for them and for God should be our driving forces. But we also must remember that not all worshippers will come in the shape or form we expect. We need to take their response as a challenge and ask ourselves, “Do we know the God of the bible well enough to know if we truly worship him?”
Lord, keep my focus on the lost. May their future drive me to greater obedience as an expression of my love for you. May I know you more and more and more each day. In all of my life and all that I do, teach me to worship.
…And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine …
I love the story of Melchizedek, it gets my blood going with excitement as all Christophanies do, as I see in this man the second person of the Godhead, the pre-incarnate Christ. It is one of those golden nuggets which demonstrates the perfection of God’s plan as through it you can see the actions of an Eternal God unconstrained by the bounds of time. Naturally therefore I read, devoured, the study notes on this passage and came across this phrase:
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Melchizedek):
Are you aware of the similarities between yourself and others who worship God, even if their form of worship is quite different from yours? Do you know the God of the bible well enough to know if you truly worship him?I like the way the second question turns the first on its head, and shows our arrogance in the process. We would expect it to ask “… to know if they truly worship him?” This would confirm our prejudice that we are correct and all others wrong but reminds us that sometimes we are confronted by the unexpected person who also worships God Most High. The Jews expected that worshippers would be genetically “of Abraham” and yet Melchizedek clearly is not – he is an unexpected follower, even a priest. Each time they came to this passage in the Torah this should have challenged their thought and reminded them of their prophetic role yet it remained a quirk and was written off as they continued to introspect. They were the chosen people yet they forgot why they were chosen.
Today we who follow Christ are also chosen for a reason and we need to remember the purpose of our calling and ensure that our focus remains on those who do not know God. Their future and our love for them and for God should be our driving forces. But we also must remember that not all worshippers will come in the shape or form we expect. We need to take their response as a challenge and ask ourselves, “Do we know the God of the bible well enough to know if we truly worship him?”
Lord, keep my focus on the lost. May their future drive me to greater obedience as an expression of my love for you. May I know you more and more and more each day. In all of my life and all that I do, teach me to worship.
Sunday, 6 January 2008
Unfailing love
STANDOUT VERSE - PSALM 5:7,8
Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe. Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.
We take church too lightly. We fail to see the privilege of being able to attend God’s house and to worship Him freely. Those of us who attend worship hear these sentiments with a certain regularity, but most often it is in the context of thankfulness for the freedom we enjoy in our nation. We are not forbidden from attending nor are we truly persecuted. Yet this is not the main reason we are privileged to attending worship, neither is it why we take church too lightly. Rather, I believe, it is because we take God’s attendance and grace for granted. Because His love is unfailing we may enter His house and find Him whenever we seek Him, but it needn’t have been this way, for why should God be interested in us? But He is. This must give depth to our worship and move us to awesome wonder. We can enter God’s house because He invites us.
But God’s interest in us does not simply apply to our times of worship but extends to every aspect of our lives. Another sign of His love He has created a path for us. It is a path marked by laws of love illuminated by His Word and signposted by revelation. And because it flows from unfailing love it doesn’t simply cover the great decisions of our life but also concerns itself with the detail of daily living.
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Mt 5:1ff):
Lord, I praise you that I may freely worship you and I am awestruck that you should take time for me. Never let me forget that worship is not merely an expression of my love, but is an expression of Yours for me. Teach me that my worship should not be constrained by the walls of church or of Sabbath, but in all things, at all times and in all areas of my life and my identity, make your way plain for me to follow.
Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe. Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.
We take church too lightly. We fail to see the privilege of being able to attend God’s house and to worship Him freely. Those of us who attend worship hear these sentiments with a certain regularity, but most often it is in the context of thankfulness for the freedom we enjoy in our nation. We are not forbidden from attending nor are we truly persecuted. Yet this is not the main reason we are privileged to attending worship, neither is it why we take church too lightly. Rather, I believe, it is because we take God’s attendance and grace for granted. Because His love is unfailing we may enter His house and find Him whenever we seek Him, but it needn’t have been this way, for why should God be interested in us? But He is. This must give depth to our worship and move us to awesome wonder. We can enter God’s house because He invites us.
But God’s interest in us does not simply apply to our times of worship but extends to every aspect of our lives. Another sign of His love He has created a path for us. It is a path marked by laws of love illuminated by His Word and signposted by revelation. And because it flows from unfailing love it doesn’t simply cover the great decisions of our life but also concerns itself with the detail of daily living.
Notes from the NLT Life Application Study Bible (Mt 5:1ff):
[The sermon on the mount called those listening] back to the messages of the Old Testament prophets, who, like Jesus, taught that heartfelt obedience is more important than legalistic observance.The Pharisees saw the law but missed the love. They understood that God was interested in every aspect of who we are, yet instead of nurturing the truth that this showed the greatness of God they chose to believe that it showed only the weakness of man; they created a legalism that sought to elevate man. One may remain on a path and move nowhere, but the path God has set before us is to be followed and not merely studied or remained within, so today I join David in his prayer:
Lord, I praise you that I may freely worship you and I am awestruck that you should take time for me. Never let me forget that worship is not merely an expression of my love, but is an expression of Yours for me. Teach me that my worship should not be constrained by the walls of church or of Sabbath, but in all things, at all times and in all areas of my life and my identity, make your way plain for me to follow.
Saturday, 5 January 2008
No more unicorns
STANDOUT VERSE - GENESIS 8:20
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and there he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose.
“Blast!” said Noah as he watched the smoke from the burnt offerings ascend into the heavens, “they were the last unicorns.”
Even as I compose that sentence I can see that it is an old joke. Noah leaves the ark and is so grateful for the survival of himself and of his family that he simply has to give thanks for his salvation, and he does so in the culturally accepted way, in the only way he knows, and offers a sacrifice to God. This offering was not demanded of Noah, it was not requested or suggested, but flowed freely from the heart of one who has recognised the mighty act of a loving God. It was natural and spontaneous with little thought for the consequences. Even one sacrifice of the last female (or male) animal could mean extinction for a species they had worked so hard to save. Yet we see no futility in the ark – no animal was saved from the flood simply to be brought to extinction as the waters receded, for of the animals fit for sacrifice God had ordered that seven pairs be taken. Previously I had given this little thought and had most likely made the ridiculous assumption that this was due to some special (what a great use of this word!) favouritism. So why?
God would have known the desire of Noah to worship Him and so He makes provision for Noah’s worship and for his sacrifice. God gave to the new postdiluvian world more than was strictly necessary in order that man could offer back to God. And he does the same today, and has done so for me. I have more than I need (though due to my appetites often less than want) and so of my abundance I can give back and give away.
Lord God, thank you for all that you have done for me and for all that you give to me. Teach me to sacrifice.
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and there he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and birds that had been approved for that purpose.
“Blast!” said Noah as he watched the smoke from the burnt offerings ascend into the heavens, “they were the last unicorns.”
Even as I compose that sentence I can see that it is an old joke. Noah leaves the ark and is so grateful for the survival of himself and of his family that he simply has to give thanks for his salvation, and he does so in the culturally accepted way, in the only way he knows, and offers a sacrifice to God. This offering was not demanded of Noah, it was not requested or suggested, but flowed freely from the heart of one who has recognised the mighty act of a loving God. It was natural and spontaneous with little thought for the consequences. Even one sacrifice of the last female (or male) animal could mean extinction for a species they had worked so hard to save. Yet we see no futility in the ark – no animal was saved from the flood simply to be brought to extinction as the waters receded, for of the animals fit for sacrifice God had ordered that seven pairs be taken. Previously I had given this little thought and had most likely made the ridiculous assumption that this was due to some special (what a great use of this word!) favouritism. So why?
God would have known the desire of Noah to worship Him and so He makes provision for Noah’s worship and for his sacrifice. God gave to the new postdiluvian world more than was strictly necessary in order that man could offer back to God. And he does the same today, and has done so for me. I have more than I need (though due to my appetites often less than want) and so of my abundance I can give back and give away.
Lord God, thank you for all that you have done for me and for all that you give to me. Teach me to sacrifice.
Friday, 4 January 2008
God closes the door
STANDOUT VERSE - GENESIS 7:16
[Noah, his family and the animals entered the ark.] Then the Lord closed the door behind them.
God was the doorman. What would have happened if Noah had been in charge of the door? Would he have closed the door earlier in order to be absolutely safe and sure that no water got in, or would he have waited longer so that as the rains began some may still save themselves? I have no idea, but I do know that God makes it clear that he was the one in ultimate control. He held it open and eventually he pushed it shut.
ADDITIONAL PASSAGE OF NOTE - MATTHEW 3:7-12
[John said,] “…Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ … [Jesus} is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
One of the reasons why John, and later Jesus, denounced the Pharisees was that they claimed they were able to do what God had made sure Noah could not: that they could arbitrate on who was safe and who not. Just as Genesis makes it clear that occupancy of the ark is up to God and God alone, so John makes it clear that this is Jesus’ place and no other’s to judge men.
This point needed making at least twice in Scripture (in fact we find it in very many other places) because it is not a lesson we learn easily or well. We couch our judgements in different ways thinking this makes it more acceptable, yet the root remains the same. We place ourselves in the positions of a judge, elevating our place that we may judge over them and push them down in our judgements. We declare ourselves as capable, perhaps even more so, than God and thus usurp his divinity.
Lord God, show me where I judge others and where I use them as stepping stones and stairs to create and maintain position. Teach me to pick others up and not to tread them down. Remove judgementalism in me and make me an encourager.
[Noah, his family and the animals entered the ark.] Then the Lord closed the door behind them.
God was the doorman. What would have happened if Noah had been in charge of the door? Would he have closed the door earlier in order to be absolutely safe and sure that no water got in, or would he have waited longer so that as the rains began some may still save themselves? I have no idea, but I do know that God makes it clear that he was the one in ultimate control. He held it open and eventually he pushed it shut.
ADDITIONAL PASSAGE OF NOTE - MATTHEW 3:7-12
[John said,] “…Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ … [Jesus} is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.”
One of the reasons why John, and later Jesus, denounced the Pharisees was that they claimed they were able to do what God had made sure Noah could not: that they could arbitrate on who was safe and who not. Just as Genesis makes it clear that occupancy of the ark is up to God and God alone, so John makes it clear that this is Jesus’ place and no other’s to judge men.
This point needed making at least twice in Scripture (in fact we find it in very many other places) because it is not a lesson we learn easily or well. We couch our judgements in different ways thinking this makes it more acceptable, yet the root remains the same. We place ourselves in the positions of a judge, elevating our place that we may judge over them and push them down in our judgements. We declare ourselves as capable, perhaps even more so, than God and thus usurp his divinity.
Lord God, show me where I judge others and where I use them as stepping stones and stairs to create and maintain position. Teach me to pick others up and not to tread them down. Remove judgementalism in me and make me an encourager.
Thursday, 3 January 2008
Slavery or Freedom
STANDOUT VERSE - PSALM 2:3
“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
The psalmist here recognises that the nations perceive God in the same way as Cain did – as an oppressive master: someone to rage against, someone unfair, someone to resist and fight. God’s law is seen as chains whilst morality and conscience are the bonds that keep the slave captive. The irony here is that the anointed one against whom they also rage is the one who came to free them from slavery and to release them from their captivity to sin. The truth of the matter, though sometimes hard to perceive, is that God’s service is the only true freedom we may ever find; in no other path may liberty be found. Solomon hints here also, stating, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honour around your neck.”
Jack Winslow wrote in his great hymn “Lord of creation”:
“Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
The psalmist here recognises that the nations perceive God in the same way as Cain did – as an oppressive master: someone to rage against, someone unfair, someone to resist and fight. God’s law is seen as chains whilst morality and conscience are the bonds that keep the slave captive. The irony here is that the anointed one against whom they also rage is the one who came to free them from slavery and to release them from their captivity to sin. The truth of the matter, though sometimes hard to perceive, is that God’s service is the only true freedom we may ever find; in no other path may liberty be found. Solomon hints here also, stating, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honour around your neck.”
Jack Winslow wrote in his great hymn “Lord of creation”:
Lord of all power, I give you my will,Lord God, as I give myself again to you today, may I discover the freedom of Your service.
In joyful obedience your tasks to fulfil.
Your bondage is freedom, your service is song,
And, held in your keeping, my weakness is strong.
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
Entry 1
I have had three individual quotes running through my head and I thought sharing them would be an interesting way to start my blog:
This comes from the sermon given last Sunday at Red Lodge Methodist Church by the Rev. Sheila MacInally. It works on so many levels and each of them speak with great depth.
So thank you Kirsty, Sheila and Leeland.
May my mind, this year, focus on things such as these.
The one who would be all my spiritual food was, even as a baby, placed in a feeding trough. That's forward planning for you!This comes from something shared in our morning worship at Easterhouse by Kirsty. She seemed almost apologetic at sharing what she thoguht was such an obvious insight to the Christmas story. I think it is wonderful.
The infinite became finite: The Eternal took time for me at Christmas.
This comes from the sermon given last Sunday at Red Lodge Methodist Church by the Rev. Sheila MacInally. It works on so many levels and each of them speak with great depth.
Three nails gave me libertyThis comes from a song by Leeland, and I like it's poetry.
So thank you Kirsty, Sheila and Leeland.
May my mind, this year, focus on things such as these.
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