Luke 7:35
"But wisdom is justified by all her children.”
Monday, March 9, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Generosity, hope & trust
Luke 6:30,34,35
Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
These are tough words in tough economic times. Jesus does not call us to give and be "ok" with nothing in return. He calls us to "hope for nothing" in return. Jesus calls us to give to all who ask receive only from Him. In doing this we can be certain His reward is great. In this life and eternity, we are promised 100 fold blessing (Mt. 19:29), sonship, and conformity to the image of God. What good is receiving back what I lend, what I already had, when so much more is offered to me? Can I trust God to continue His care for me? If I give away my last meal tonight will I eat tomorrow? Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-34, "“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." God is faithful. I will be generous.
Father - deepen my trust in You and Your provision for me and my family. Remind us to be generous to all always and let us give boldly. Make us a blessing to those in need so that they may see You and Your kingdom. Amen.
Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
These are tough words in tough economic times. Jesus does not call us to give and be "ok" with nothing in return. He calls us to "hope for nothing" in return. Jesus calls us to give to all who ask receive only from Him. In doing this we can be certain His reward is great. In this life and eternity, we are promised 100 fold blessing (Mt. 19:29), sonship, and conformity to the image of God. What good is receiving back what I lend, what I already had, when so much more is offered to me? Can I trust God to continue His care for me? If I give away my last meal tonight will I eat tomorrow? Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-34, "“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." God is faithful. I will be generous.
Father - deepen my trust in You and Your provision for me and my family. Remind us to be generous to all always and let us give boldly. Make us a blessing to those in need so that they may see You and Your kingdom. Amen.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Trusting Jesus at His word
Luke 5:5
But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Jesus was not just asking Peter and his fishing buddies for some extra effort after a long night of hard fishing, He was asking the illogical, irrational, unreasonable and impossible. Fish were not caught in deep water, but shallow - this was the wrong place. Fish were not caught in the daytime, this is when they rest - this was the wrong time. Fishing was not done with just one net or one boat but two (as evidenced in verse 7 when they called for help) - this was the wrong method.
This is what makes Peter's obedience so remarkable. Against all of Peter's expertise and fishing experience, against all earthly reason, Peter set out into deep water and let down his net, trusting nothing more than the person and word of Jesus. No doubt Peter had a few miracles in mind as he obeyed; the miracle at Cana, driving out the demon in Capernaum and especially healing Peter's mother-in-law (Luke 4). However this discipline is still impressive - especially considering Peter's impulsive nature. Peter's understanding of who Jesus was fortified Jesus' words and became Peter's highest authority.
Is this true in my life? Do I reason out of earthly logic or is Jesus and His word my highest authority? Do I act of our my own reservoir of earthly encounters and knowledge or do I rely on the eternal truths of Jesus nature and word? Is my knowledge of Jesus enough for me to do the illogical at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and in the wrong way simply because of Jesus' words?
Father - I want to know Jesus and hear His words echo in my heart daily. Help me to set aside my earthly knowledge and reasoning and fully trust You. Teach me to cast out into deep waters as I fish for men. Amen.
But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”
Jesus was not just asking Peter and his fishing buddies for some extra effort after a long night of hard fishing, He was asking the illogical, irrational, unreasonable and impossible. Fish were not caught in deep water, but shallow - this was the wrong place. Fish were not caught in the daytime, this is when they rest - this was the wrong time. Fishing was not done with just one net or one boat but two (as evidenced in verse 7 when they called for help) - this was the wrong method.
This is what makes Peter's obedience so remarkable. Against all of Peter's expertise and fishing experience, against all earthly reason, Peter set out into deep water and let down his net, trusting nothing more than the person and word of Jesus. No doubt Peter had a few miracles in mind as he obeyed; the miracle at Cana, driving out the demon in Capernaum and especially healing Peter's mother-in-law (Luke 4). However this discipline is still impressive - especially considering Peter's impulsive nature. Peter's understanding of who Jesus was fortified Jesus' words and became Peter's highest authority.
Is this true in my life? Do I reason out of earthly logic or is Jesus and His word my highest authority? Do I act of our my own reservoir of earthly encounters and knowledge or do I rely on the eternal truths of Jesus nature and word? Is my knowledge of Jesus enough for me to do the illogical at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and in the wrong way simply because of Jesus' words?
Father - I want to know Jesus and hear His words echo in my heart daily. Help me to set aside my earthly knowledge and reasoning and fully trust You. Teach me to cast out into deep waters as I fish for men. Amen.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Jesus and the Holy Spirit
Luke 4:1 & 14
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,....Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
Here in John 4 Jesus is "filled" with the Holy Spirit, "led" by the Holy Spirit and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I often get lost in the deity of Jesus assuming that being god meant that Jesus did anything He wanted, whenever He wanted. Instead, Jesus demonstrated full submission to God the Father and dependence on the Holy Spirit. I believe this is why later in John 4 Jesus is able to resist the Devil (ironically before being empowered... that's a whole different lesson), speak with such authority concerning the Scriptures and command demons to be silent and depart. This was not for example, this was Jesus living out His full humanity. Here are some verses that come to mind regarding Jesus and His human nature.
John 8:28-29
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."
Philippians 2:6-8
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Hebrews 2:17-18
For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
To be fully human is to fully rely on the Holy Spirit for full obedience to the Father's will. To be human is not to demonstrate independence or "self-control" but self-submission, to be dependent on and controlled by the Holy Spirit. This was God's will for Jesus and it is His will for me; to be filled, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit each day to do His will. This is the beginning of Jesus ministry and it is the beginning of mine.
Father - fill me with Your Holy Spirit, to be led by Him, to hear His voice and to be empowered to do Your will each day. Make me more "human." Amen.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,....Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
Here in John 4 Jesus is "filled" with the Holy Spirit, "led" by the Holy Spirit and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I often get lost in the deity of Jesus assuming that being god meant that Jesus did anything He wanted, whenever He wanted. Instead, Jesus demonstrated full submission to God the Father and dependence on the Holy Spirit. I believe this is why later in John 4 Jesus is able to resist the Devil (ironically before being empowered... that's a whole different lesson), speak with such authority concerning the Scriptures and command demons to be silent and depart. This was not for example, this was Jesus living out His full humanity. Here are some verses that come to mind regarding Jesus and His human nature.
John 8:28-29
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."
Philippians 2:6-8
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Hebrews 2:17-18
For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
To be fully human is to fully rely on the Holy Spirit for full obedience to the Father's will. To be human is not to demonstrate independence or "self-control" but self-submission, to be dependent on and controlled by the Holy Spirit. This was God's will for Jesus and it is His will for me; to be filled, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit each day to do His will. This is the beginning of Jesus ministry and it is the beginning of mine.
Father - fill me with Your Holy Spirit, to be led by Him, to hear His voice and to be empowered to do Your will each day. Make me more "human." Amen.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Religion
H.G. Wells was never particularly religious, but after he had studied the history of the human race and had observed human life, he came to an interesting conclusion:
"Religion is the first thing and the last thing, and until a man has found God and been found by God, he begins at no beginning, he works to no end. He may have his friendships, his partial loyalties, his scraps of honor. But all these things fall into place and life falls into place only with God."
"Religion is the first thing and the last thing, and until a man has found God and been found by God, he begins at no beginning, he works to no end. He may have his friendships, his partial loyalties, his scraps of honor. But all these things fall into place and life falls into place only with God."
Fruit Worthy of Repentance
Luke 3:8
"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones."
Where is the evidence of my faith and repentance found? Do I rely on my affiliation with the church? Should people assume I am saved because I am religious or because I am a pastor?
No, my faith is not validated by titles or labels but by my fruit; my behavior, how I treat others, my words, the product of my days. To repent means to turn 180 degrees away from sin and walk in the opposite direction. It is not enough to simply turn away from sin, I must demonstrate this turn by progressing in holiness and behavior that validate my recognition of sin. It matters less where I stand (in church, outside of culture, with the right political party, etc...) and more where and how I am walking day to day.
So, how am I walking? Do I see fruit being produced in my life and the lives of those around me on a daily basis? What would others say is the evidence of my repentance? How is my faith being validated?
Father - strengthen me and remind me to bear fruit daily. Let my faith be seen in my walk and not my status. May I be known by good fruit daily. Amen.
"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones."
Where is the evidence of my faith and repentance found? Do I rely on my affiliation with the church? Should people assume I am saved because I am religious or because I am a pastor?
No, my faith is not validated by titles or labels but by my fruit; my behavior, how I treat others, my words, the product of my days. To repent means to turn 180 degrees away from sin and walk in the opposite direction. It is not enough to simply turn away from sin, I must demonstrate this turn by progressing in holiness and behavior that validate my recognition of sin. It matters less where I stand (in church, outside of culture, with the right political party, etc...) and more where and how I am walking day to day.
So, how am I walking? Do I see fruit being produced in my life and the lives of those around me on a daily basis? What would others say is the evidence of my repentance? How is my faith being validated?
Father - strengthen me and remind me to bear fruit daily. Let my faith be seen in my walk and not my status. May I be known by good fruit daily. Amen.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Jesus grew... the humanity of Jesus
Luke 2:40
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2:46-47
Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Jesus, the Son of God, Deity wrapped in flesh, grew and learned just like an ordinary young man. Furthermore, He too relied on the filling of the Holy Spirit for wisdom and Grace. He asked questions and dialogued for answers. He worked on His reputation among the teachers in the Temple and His relationships within His family and community.
Sometimes I lean so heavily on the deity of Jesus that I miss the common and comforting aspects of His humanity. Jesus did not simply appear to be a man, He was not pretending to be human - He was fully man, learning, growing, questioning, stretching. His humanity was not limited because of His deity. Instead, one may argue that His deity was limited by His humanity. Jesus set aside so much more than heaven when He took on flesh. This is why He is able to fully identify with me and my common day to day experiences. I have a savior who is fully able to understand my growing pains not because of His divine knowledge, but because of His human experience.
Thank You Jesus for joining us in the human experience. Thank You for fully identifying with us in growth and maturity. Thank You for Your humble example of seeking and searching for Truth. Thank You for Your humanity by which I am comforted, knowing that I am not alone. Amen.
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2:46-47
Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Jesus, the Son of God, Deity wrapped in flesh, grew and learned just like an ordinary young man. Furthermore, He too relied on the filling of the Holy Spirit for wisdom and Grace. He asked questions and dialogued for answers. He worked on His reputation among the teachers in the Temple and His relationships within His family and community.
Sometimes I lean so heavily on the deity of Jesus that I miss the common and comforting aspects of His humanity. Jesus did not simply appear to be a man, He was not pretending to be human - He was fully man, learning, growing, questioning, stretching. His humanity was not limited because of His deity. Instead, one may argue that His deity was limited by His humanity. Jesus set aside so much more than heaven when He took on flesh. This is why He is able to fully identify with me and my common day to day experiences. I have a savior who is fully able to understand my growing pains not because of His divine knowledge, but because of His human experience.
Thank You Jesus for joining us in the human experience. Thank You for fully identifying with us in growth and maturity. Thank You for Your humble example of seeking and searching for Truth. Thank You for Your humanity by which I am comforted, knowing that I am not alone. Amen.
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