1 Peter 2:19-21
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,[f] leaving us[g] an example, that you should follow His steps."
To follow in the steps of Jesus is to take the path of righteousness and wrongful suffering. Perhaps no other word describes the life and ministry of Jesus better than suffering. Ordinary men will suffer for their faults but we are commended when we, like Jesus, patiently endure suffering for righteousness, doing good for the sake of God's glory. If my life is not marked by such suffering or even hints of it, I must ask myself if I am truly following in His steps. To this, to suffering for righteousness, I was called. I was not called to comfort or happiness or peace or praise or honor or influence. I was called to holiness (1 Peter 1:16) that leads to suffering. So when I suffer, I should not ask God why or beg for mercy but instead rejoice to be counted worthy to walk in His steps and to bring such glory to God. This is my calling. I want to be Holy, to suffer in His steps.
God take away my fear and timidity. Make me bold to speak out and step out in holy obedience to You. Make me less selfish and less busy so that I may follow in Your steps. Teach me to suffer for Your glory, to be found worthy to walk after Jesus. Amen.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Holiness - to be like Him
1 Peter 1:14-16
as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (Lev. 11:44-45)
1 Peter 1 is so packed full of deep and beautiful passages that I had a hard time focusing on just one. I must have read and reread this chapter 5 times. This portion however is so inspiring and challenging that I kept coming back to it. Oh to be Holy!
When do children become obedient children?... Not obedient out of fear or consequences, but out of character, values and truth. This obedience comes when a child matures and understands the character of their parent who has guided them through the lust and impulsiveness of ignorance. To know the Father and to have an intimate relationship with Him is to know His Holiness - the motivation of His calling and the fabric of His character, His nature. Then the relationship deepens and we desire to be like Him, not simply obey Him. I want to be Holy because my Heavenly Father, the Great I AM is HOLY.
Like a child who walks through the house in his father's shoes, tie and hat or her mothers jewelry and heals, we must take joy in reflecting the image and character of our Heavenly Father. To know Him is to desire to be like Him.
Heavenly Father - make me Holy. Let me know you and fill me with a desire to be like you in every way, in all my conduct. I want to he Holy. Amen.
as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (Lev. 11:44-45)
1 Peter 1 is so packed full of deep and beautiful passages that I had a hard time focusing on just one. I must have read and reread this chapter 5 times. This portion however is so inspiring and challenging that I kept coming back to it. Oh to be Holy!
When do children become obedient children?... Not obedient out of fear or consequences, but out of character, values and truth. This obedience comes when a child matures and understands the character of their parent who has guided them through the lust and impulsiveness of ignorance. To know the Father and to have an intimate relationship with Him is to know His Holiness - the motivation of His calling and the fabric of His character, His nature. Then the relationship deepens and we desire to be like Him, not simply obey Him. I want to be Holy because my Heavenly Father, the Great I AM is HOLY.
Like a child who walks through the house in his father's shoes, tie and hat or her mothers jewelry and heals, we must take joy in reflecting the image and character of our Heavenly Father. To know Him is to desire to be like Him.
Heavenly Father - make me Holy. Let me know you and fill me with a desire to be like you in every way, in all my conduct. I want to he Holy. Amen.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Redemption
Ruth 4:9
And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi.
While Israel played the fool, Boaz played the redeemer. His character, integrity and conduct clearly foreshadow the vary ministry and work of Jesus Christ redeeming those who were his own (Naomi) and those who were not (Ruth, the Moabitess). Even Chillion's land and his inheritance were redeemed though Orpah (1:14-15) did not return. Similarly Christ's blood and sacrifice covers sin completely and fully satisfies the debt for all humanity - even those who do not return. I wonder what ever became of Orpah? Did she ever return in desperation? Would she ever hear of the redemption that was accomplished in Bethlehem? How sad to think of the millions of people who wonder in sin, unaware of their redemption born out of Bethlehem!
Father - make me bold to share the news of Jesus Christ and the good news of redemption with those who do not know, who have not returned to You. Amen.
And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi.
While Israel played the fool, Boaz played the redeemer. His character, integrity and conduct clearly foreshadow the vary ministry and work of Jesus Christ redeeming those who were his own (Naomi) and those who were not (Ruth, the Moabitess). Even Chillion's land and his inheritance were redeemed though Orpah (1:14-15) did not return. Similarly Christ's blood and sacrifice covers sin completely and fully satisfies the debt for all humanity - even those who do not return. I wonder what ever became of Orpah? Did she ever return in desperation? Would she ever hear of the redemption that was accomplished in Bethlehem? How sad to think of the millions of people who wonder in sin, unaware of their redemption born out of Bethlehem!
Father - make me bold to share the news of Jesus Christ and the good news of redemption with those who do not know, who have not returned to You. Amen.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Lord's kindness
Ruth 2:20
Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the LORD, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!”
In contrast to Israel according to Judges 21:25, Boaz did not forsake the Lord but did what was right in the eyes of his heavenly king. Boaz must have been a man of God's Word - knowing the laws concerning aliens among Israel and God demand for hospitality.
Exodus 22:21-23
"Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.
Leviticus 19:10
Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God. (also 23:22)
Leviticus 19:33
'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him.
Leviticus 19:34
The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Again, in contract to the men of Gibeah who would not even welcome their own Levite into their homes (Judges 19:15) Boaz clearly demonstrated the Lord's kindness toward both Ruth and Naomi, as well as their deceased husbands, his kin. Just as God's kindness is everlasting, so was Boaz'. He went above and beyond the law in his kindness toward others.
So where are my limits when it comes to kindness? If my kindness has limits it is not of the Lord.
Father - make me more kind. Help me go above and beyond Your law and let my kindness to others be limitless that I may reveal Your glory in all I do. Amen.
Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the LORD, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!”
In contrast to Israel according to Judges 21:25, Boaz did not forsake the Lord but did what was right in the eyes of his heavenly king. Boaz must have been a man of God's Word - knowing the laws concerning aliens among Israel and God demand for hospitality.
Exodus 22:21-23
"Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.
Leviticus 19:10
Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God. (also 23:22)
Leviticus 19:33
'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him.
Leviticus 19:34
The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Again, in contract to the men of Gibeah who would not even welcome their own Levite into their homes (Judges 19:15) Boaz clearly demonstrated the Lord's kindness toward both Ruth and Naomi, as well as their deceased husbands, his kin. Just as God's kindness is everlasting, so was Boaz'. He went above and beyond the law in his kindness toward others.
So where are my limits when it comes to kindness? If my kindness has limits it is not of the Lord.
Father - make me more kind. Help me go above and beyond Your law and let my kindness to others be limitless that I may reveal Your glory in all I do. Amen.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Submission to Authority
Judges 19:1 "And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel,...."
Judges 17:6 "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
I'm certain that when this phrase was written, it was speaking of an earthly visible earthly king. However in reading it again this time, I took note that Israel had no heavenly king also - at least not one whom they submitted to. There was no governing authority over Israel to ensure that they would do what was right by God. The story that follows (the Levite's concubine and the eradication of the Benjamites) clearly casts God representative authority in some shady light and at best illustrates how off center Israel really was. The people no longer submitted under an earthly authority and so lost view of their heavenly authority. Even the most burdensome authorities in our lives are placed by God (Rom. 13) to teach us humility and submission to our heavenly authority. This is why it is so critical for believers to place themselves under authority and submit to one another (Eph. 5:21) "out of reverence for Christ." How can we submit to our heavenly authority which we cannot see if we will not submit to our earthly authorities that we can see?
God - humble me and teach me to submit to my earthly authorities so that I may submit more fully to You in all ways. Amen.
Judges 17:6 "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
I'm certain that when this phrase was written, it was speaking of an earthly visible earthly king. However in reading it again this time, I took note that Israel had no heavenly king also - at least not one whom they submitted to. There was no governing authority over Israel to ensure that they would do what was right by God. The story that follows (the Levite's concubine and the eradication of the Benjamites) clearly casts God representative authority in some shady light and at best illustrates how off center Israel really was. The people no longer submitted under an earthly authority and so lost view of their heavenly authority. Even the most burdensome authorities in our lives are placed by God (Rom. 13) to teach us humility and submission to our heavenly authority. This is why it is so critical for believers to place themselves under authority and submit to one another (Eph. 5:21) "out of reverence for Christ." How can we submit to our heavenly authority which we cannot see if we will not submit to our earthly authorities that we can see?
God - humble me and teach me to submit to my earthly authorities so that I may submit more fully to You in all ways. Amen.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Shadows of Spirituality
Judges 17:5
"The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest."
What was Micah after in this story? Why embrace the shadows of spirituality or religion? What blessing could possibly be found in partial obedience or empty symbols? These symbols, office and practices are nothing without devotion to the God of these. They are intended to point us to God, however far too often they take the place of God.
I've seen worship take the place of the God we connect with in worship. I've seen the church become a higher symbol of God's presence than his very presence within us. The fellowship of the body can be exalted higher than the Head, which is Jesus Christ. Even the Word of God can become more precious than the Word made flesh (Jn. 1:14).
We must be careful not to gather around us the shadows (symbols, offices, practices) of religion and accept a false piety. True religion is falling in love with Jesus Christ above all else and living out that love in full obedience to Him. Anything short of this is empty, ineffective, unfulfilling and false. In the end, like Micah, we will find destruction. However if my hope and love is in the Lord, these shadows point me to Him, the substance of true spirituality.
Father - deepen my love for you. Fill me with hope in You above all things. Guard me from the shadows of spirituality and the temptation of religiosity. Let my love lead to full obedience and devotion to You alone. Amen.
"The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest."
What was Micah after in this story? Why embrace the shadows of spirituality or religion? What blessing could possibly be found in partial obedience or empty symbols? These symbols, office and practices are nothing without devotion to the God of these. They are intended to point us to God, however far too often they take the place of God.
I've seen worship take the place of the God we connect with in worship. I've seen the church become a higher symbol of God's presence than his very presence within us. The fellowship of the body can be exalted higher than the Head, which is Jesus Christ. Even the Word of God can become more precious than the Word made flesh (Jn. 1:14).
We must be careful not to gather around us the shadows (symbols, offices, practices) of religion and accept a false piety. True religion is falling in love with Jesus Christ above all else and living out that love in full obedience to Him. Anything short of this is empty, ineffective, unfulfilling and false. In the end, like Micah, we will find destruction. However if my hope and love is in the Lord, these shadows point me to Him, the substance of true spirituality.
Father - deepen my love for you. Fill me with hope in You above all things. Guard me from the shadows of spirituality and the temptation of religiosity. Let my love lead to full obedience and devotion to You alone. Amen.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Whose Strength?
Judges 16:28 & 30
Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”
And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it.
Throughout Sampson's many battles the text reads, "and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him," (14:6, 19, 15:14). However here in Sampson's final and most impressive act, it is not God's might that is displayed, but his own. Judges 16:20 reveals that Sampson's strength had left him along with the presence and favor of the Lord.
When we, like Sampson, get drunk on our own accomplishments or God's work through us, when we get prideful and arrogant, we find ourselves alone and operating out of our own strength when we most need His. We may still do mighty works and accomplish God's will, however the cost will be great.
Ironically, this final prayer is the only time in Judges that we find Sampson praying, talking to or even acknowledging God. By this time it is too late.
Unlike Sampson, I must stay humble and humbly connected to God in prayer if I am to expect His might to live in and through me.
Father - humble me to give you Glory and live in and by Your might and strength.
Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”
And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it.
Throughout Sampson's many battles the text reads, "and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him," (14:6, 19, 15:14). However here in Sampson's final and most impressive act, it is not God's might that is displayed, but his own. Judges 16:20 reveals that Sampson's strength had left him along with the presence and favor of the Lord.
When we, like Sampson, get drunk on our own accomplishments or God's work through us, when we get prideful and arrogant, we find ourselves alone and operating out of our own strength when we most need His. We may still do mighty works and accomplish God's will, however the cost will be great.
Ironically, this final prayer is the only time in Judges that we find Sampson praying, talking to or even acknowledging God. By this time it is too late.
Unlike Sampson, I must stay humble and humbly connected to God in prayer if I am to expect His might to live in and through me.
Father - humble me to give you Glory and live in and by Your might and strength.
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