11.25.2010
Matthew 20:18-19 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” ESV
Sometimes in our efforts to control our destinies we want to know the future – what’s gonna happen to me? – as if we could do anything about it. The problem for us is we are powerless to do anything about the future and foreknowledge only confuses the issue.
When Jesus told His men about the future it didn’t make things easy on them. The Zebedee boy’s mother went into immediate action: “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21) She wanted to make sure that when it all went south her boys were well taken care of…
There is another way to accept news about the future: in faith – by faith; trusting God is in control of not only the future but our destinies as well. This was a totally new concept for these disciples because their religion assured them of only part of the story. Now was the time for them to believe and accept the rest of the story only by trusting God who shared with them other than what they thought was going to happen…
A danger of knowing the future is attempting to live in the future, forgetting about now. Jesus let them in on the right kind of future news – news that was good and beneficial to them as they lived out their present. It was future news with hope and expectation.
Father in Heaven,
Today, I am thankful to You not only for my past, but also my future – orchestrated by Your love and held firmly in Your hand. I am thankful to You for the gift of faith and for Your promises of tomorrow, which in Jesus Christ are always, yes, and amen. Amen!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
More Than Enough
11.24.2010
Matthew 19:25 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” ESV
The above is a statement made by Jesus’ disciples when He debunked the fastly (almost universally) held belief that money could buy one everything – including favor with God. Then as now, they placed great value on great wealth. Truly, money is a medium but it is not the answer to life, as some suppose. Often, money is more of a problem than a relief. Often, those who suddenly come into great amounts of wealth within a short period of time wind up paupers. Money cannot buy salvation.
The Gospel is counterintuitive. If everyone else is saying, “Do it!” The gospel is usually saying, “Don’t do it!” or the other way around. Jesus’ command to the rich (young) man (in the story in which the above verse is found) was simply, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Generosity was one part, submission to Christ is the other; all around it was counterintuitive to what people thought or believed.
I have often wished I had great sums of money. I have often dreamed of having enough money to escape to the south when the cold comes in from the north. But money is not the solution to my need – only Jesus is. And Jesus is way more than a solution – He’s my friend. My passion in life is to recognize Him as such and then live accordingly. Although I don’t necessarily like it, I’m learning the twin sister of the blessing of two million dollars is two million problems. Counter-intuitively, with treasure in Heaven, there is hope one day of eternally enjoying every bit of it, with everlasting peace and joy.
Father in Heaven,
All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough*
That is my song (with thanks to Chris Tomlin) and my prayer today, through Jesus Christ, amen.
*Enough, Chris Tomlin, Not to Us, September 2002, Six Steps Records
Matthew 19:25 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” ESV
The above is a statement made by Jesus’ disciples when He debunked the fastly (almost universally) held belief that money could buy one everything – including favor with God. Then as now, they placed great value on great wealth. Truly, money is a medium but it is not the answer to life, as some suppose. Often, money is more of a problem than a relief. Often, those who suddenly come into great amounts of wealth within a short period of time wind up paupers. Money cannot buy salvation.
The Gospel is counterintuitive. If everyone else is saying, “Do it!” The gospel is usually saying, “Don’t do it!” or the other way around. Jesus’ command to the rich (young) man (in the story in which the above verse is found) was simply, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Generosity was one part, submission to Christ is the other; all around it was counterintuitive to what people thought or believed.
I have often wished I had great sums of money. I have often dreamed of having enough money to escape to the south when the cold comes in from the north. But money is not the solution to my need – only Jesus is. And Jesus is way more than a solution – He’s my friend. My passion in life is to recognize Him as such and then live accordingly. Although I don’t necessarily like it, I’m learning the twin sister of the blessing of two million dollars is two million problems. Counter-intuitively, with treasure in Heaven, there is hope one day of eternally enjoying every bit of it, with everlasting peace and joy.
Father in Heaven,
All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough*
That is my song (with thanks to Chris Tomlin) and my prayer today, through Jesus Christ, amen.
*Enough, Chris Tomlin, Not to Us, September 2002, Six Steps Records
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Way More Than Bread
11.23.2010
Matthew 16:8 “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?" ESV
The problem with big government is its system of valuation. God intended government to keep law and order, to settle disputes, and to protect the national borders – apart from that there’s not much else the government needs to do. I know that is an explosive viewpoint to some, but the fact is, men ought to rule themselves and settle their own disputes based upon a central truth and if there’s a need for a mediator, that ought to be God Himself – the Author of truth. The problem with big government is that it cannot get past the idea of not enough bread or too much – government is limited.
The disciples were discussing what they didn’t have and had completely lost sight of What they did have: Himself; infinitely beyond what they could ask or imagine…
I don’t get the mentality of I don’t have but will readily admit the duplicity of my living with it every day; my system of valuation is all wrong. These days a morphing (hopefully) is taking place in me and the battle rages – I am trying to learn to trust God and be content with what I have (or don’t have). Jesus’ words imply to me that when I feel like I don’t have, I need to remember that in Him, I have way more than bread (or whatever else it is I think I need.)
Lord Jesus,
You are my Supply and my Sufficiency. I recognize I am caught up in my system of valuation and I cry out to you to be freed. Renew my mind and help me to truly see You as my All in All – I pray in Your Name, amen.
Matthew 16:8 “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?" ESV
The problem with big government is its system of valuation. God intended government to keep law and order, to settle disputes, and to protect the national borders – apart from that there’s not much else the government needs to do. I know that is an explosive viewpoint to some, but the fact is, men ought to rule themselves and settle their own disputes based upon a central truth and if there’s a need for a mediator, that ought to be God Himself – the Author of truth. The problem with big government is that it cannot get past the idea of not enough bread or too much – government is limited.
The disciples were discussing what they didn’t have and had completely lost sight of What they did have: Himself; infinitely beyond what they could ask or imagine…
I don’t get the mentality of I don’t have but will readily admit the duplicity of my living with it every day; my system of valuation is all wrong. These days a morphing (hopefully) is taking place in me and the battle rages – I am trying to learn to trust God and be content with what I have (or don’t have). Jesus’ words imply to me that when I feel like I don’t have, I need to remember that in Him, I have way more than bread (or whatever else it is I think I need.)
Lord Jesus,
You are my Supply and my Sufficiency. I recognize I am caught up in my system of valuation and I cry out to you to be freed. Renew my mind and help me to truly see You as my All in All – I pray in Your Name, amen.
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Folks in Nazareth
11.22.2010
Matthew 13:58 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. ESV
It’s not that Jesus wasn't able to do the miracles, it was because He wasn't sought out for miracles; not many in Nazareth believed He could do ‘mighty works’. It says He didn’t do many – nowadays we want Him to do just one. It’s not that He can’t or won’t; it’s that we don’t (or won’t) seek Him for miracles.
I’m astounded at how pharmacology has made strides in helping people with afflictions they don’t even know they have. I will tell you, as one who suffers from hypertension (high blood pressure), I’m glad for my little daily pill that provides what I need for stabilized blood pressure and a normalized heart-rate. I wish I didn’t have to take it but wishing for something has solved very few of my issues in life… I take it because I’m miserable without it. That doesn’t mean I don’t have faith although there are some who think that’s my issue.
The folks in Nazareth didn’t believe in Jesus – they couldn’t understand why a home-town, home-grown kid could talk the way He did and garner such attention with His mighty works in other places; to them, after all, He was just Jesus. Jesus wasn’t respected where He grew up. He didn’t do mighty works there because not many would humble themselves and approach Him to get one.
These days, the mighty works I need, have more to do with my character, my family, and the economy; stuff like that. I‘d like to grow spiritually. I would like to see my children grow spiritually as well. I’d like to sell a nice house in a very bad market. Or I’d like Jesus to help me find the income to pay for the house I have. But I don’t want to be like the folks in Nazareth who didn’t even come to see Him because they couldn’t accept Him – that’s a very sad place to be.
Father in Heaven,
It’s not that You won’t; it’s mostly because I don’t that’s the issue. It’s not about lack of stuff, it’s mostly because I scheme and dream and little do I scream out to heaven – HELP!!! Father I come to You because I need mighty works in my life and You are the Only One who can help. Help me today I pray – amen.
Matthew 13:58 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. ESV
It’s not that Jesus wasn't able to do the miracles, it was because He wasn't sought out for miracles; not many in Nazareth believed He could do ‘mighty works’. It says He didn’t do many – nowadays we want Him to do just one. It’s not that He can’t or won’t; it’s that we don’t (or won’t) seek Him for miracles.
I’m astounded at how pharmacology has made strides in helping people with afflictions they don’t even know they have. I will tell you, as one who suffers from hypertension (high blood pressure), I’m glad for my little daily pill that provides what I need for stabilized blood pressure and a normalized heart-rate. I wish I didn’t have to take it but wishing for something has solved very few of my issues in life… I take it because I’m miserable without it. That doesn’t mean I don’t have faith although there are some who think that’s my issue.
The folks in Nazareth didn’t believe in Jesus – they couldn’t understand why a home-town, home-grown kid could talk the way He did and garner such attention with His mighty works in other places; to them, after all, He was just Jesus. Jesus wasn’t respected where He grew up. He didn’t do mighty works there because not many would humble themselves and approach Him to get one.
These days, the mighty works I need, have more to do with my character, my family, and the economy; stuff like that. I‘d like to grow spiritually. I would like to see my children grow spiritually as well. I’d like to sell a nice house in a very bad market. Or I’d like Jesus to help me find the income to pay for the house I have. But I don’t want to be like the folks in Nazareth who didn’t even come to see Him because they couldn’t accept Him – that’s a very sad place to be.
Father in Heaven,
It’s not that You won’t; it’s mostly because I don’t that’s the issue. It’s not about lack of stuff, it’s mostly because I scheme and dream and little do I scream out to heaven – HELP!!! Father I come to You because I need mighty works in my life and You are the Only One who can help. Help me today I pray – amen.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Something Worth Seeking
11.21.2010
Matthew 10:38 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ESV
It is noteworthy that Jesus’ words recorded here reflect something other than what we normally would like to hear from Him: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword..."(Mt 10:34) But this is the kind of teaching we need to hear from God who says in essence, all our systems are faulty. Worthiness is something worth seeking.
The Jews were convinced that Judaism was what would make them worthy to God; it made sense to them that they should measure up to God by behaving properly – but it was a complex and cumbersome system of do’s and don’ts. And so in the midst of this ineffectiveness (keeping the Jewish Law) Jesus shows up and says, whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
Knowing Jesus, is trusting Him. When the Lord says do this, or do that, He isn’t giving us a list of do’s and don’ts; He is showing us His heart and leading us in what is best for us. The choice is up to us and the cross carrying part is whether or not we trust Him. Cross-carrying is not natural to us and smacks against our desire to go it on our own. Cross-carrying goes against our fallen free-will and our natural propensity to decide what is best for us. So worthiness with Jesus is based upon our trusting Him and denying ourselves. But even self-denial is not some trump card we get to play; it’s the heart of self-denial that matters.
The heart of self denial is my willingly giving over the rulership of my life to Jesus and following Him with my cross on my shoulder. It is keeping my focus fixed upon Him and trusting Him to call all the shots. Cross-carrying is healthy and desirable if I want to make progress in my relationship with God…
Father in Heaven,
Yours is the Kingdom and mine is to live in it and keep it – I can only do so by trusting You completely with my cross laying across my soul. Help me God – I pray in Your Name, amen.
Matthew 10:38 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ESV
It is noteworthy that Jesus’ words recorded here reflect something other than what we normally would like to hear from Him: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword..."(Mt 10:34) But this is the kind of teaching we need to hear from God who says in essence, all our systems are faulty. Worthiness is something worth seeking.
The Jews were convinced that Judaism was what would make them worthy to God; it made sense to them that they should measure up to God by behaving properly – but it was a complex and cumbersome system of do’s and don’ts. And so in the midst of this ineffectiveness (keeping the Jewish Law) Jesus shows up and says, whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
Knowing Jesus, is trusting Him. When the Lord says do this, or do that, He isn’t giving us a list of do’s and don’ts; He is showing us His heart and leading us in what is best for us. The choice is up to us and the cross carrying part is whether or not we trust Him. Cross-carrying is not natural to us and smacks against our desire to go it on our own. Cross-carrying goes against our fallen free-will and our natural propensity to decide what is best for us. So worthiness with Jesus is based upon our trusting Him and denying ourselves. But even self-denial is not some trump card we get to play; it’s the heart of self-denial that matters.
The heart of self denial is my willingly giving over the rulership of my life to Jesus and following Him with my cross on my shoulder. It is keeping my focus fixed upon Him and trusting Him to call all the shots. Cross-carrying is healthy and desirable if I want to make progress in my relationship with God…
Father in Heaven,
Yours is the Kingdom and mine is to live in it and keep it – I can only do so by trusting You completely with my cross laying across my soul. Help me God – I pray in Your Name, amen.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Apples Worth Eating
11.20.2010
Matthew 7:17 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ESV
In Luke, Jesus makes the comparison of good trees and bad trees. Here in Matthew, He compares healthy and diseased. A good tree is a tree is one we would go to find fruit worth eating (or for some beneficial use). We would normally shy away from the bad trees for the reasons of bad (or unbeneficial) fruit or no fruit at all. We won’t look for apples on a tree that doesn’t bear them.
A diseased tree though is a tree with another story – good trees may become diseased. Diseased trees may (through diligence and effort) become healthy. Bad trees are bad and there’s no changing them. Diseased trees may be healed. I think most of us, if we are anything at all, are diseased; or healthy. I’ve not known too many bad trees, but I sure have been around a lot of unhealthy ones.
All trees, good or bad may become diseased; what happens after that depends on the caretaker of the trees. If we can infer from Jesus’ analogy that people are like trees, then every one of us is born with the propensity for disease and only through a wise and capable Caretaker may we go from disease to health. If good trees are the godly, then even the godly may become unhealthy from time to time and need of restoration. All I know to do is to seek God and seek His capable care in order for me to remain healthy. My health will be proven by the fruit I bear, and through the love and presence of my Maker, I ought to bear apples worth eating.
Father in Heaven,
No tree cares for itself – only You care for trees. People are sort of the same way and without You there is no cure for our disease. Yesterday is gone but with lessons learned and tomorrow isn’t here yet – so today I pray for Your care to keep me healthy that I may bear good fruit for You – amen.
Matthew 7:17 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ESV
In Luke, Jesus makes the comparison of good trees and bad trees. Here in Matthew, He compares healthy and diseased. A good tree is a tree is one we would go to find fruit worth eating (or for some beneficial use). We would normally shy away from the bad trees for the reasons of bad (or unbeneficial) fruit or no fruit at all. We won’t look for apples on a tree that doesn’t bear them.
A diseased tree though is a tree with another story – good trees may become diseased. Diseased trees may (through diligence and effort) become healthy. Bad trees are bad and there’s no changing them. Diseased trees may be healed. I think most of us, if we are anything at all, are diseased; or healthy. I’ve not known too many bad trees, but I sure have been around a lot of unhealthy ones.
All trees, good or bad may become diseased; what happens after that depends on the caretaker of the trees. If we can infer from Jesus’ analogy that people are like trees, then every one of us is born with the propensity for disease and only through a wise and capable Caretaker may we go from disease to health. If good trees are the godly, then even the godly may become unhealthy from time to time and need of restoration. All I know to do is to seek God and seek His capable care in order for me to remain healthy. My health will be proven by the fruit I bear, and through the love and presence of my Maker, I ought to bear apples worth eating.
Father in Heaven,
No tree cares for itself – only You care for trees. People are sort of the same way and without You there is no cure for our disease. Yesterday is gone but with lessons learned and tomorrow isn’t here yet – so today I pray for Your care to keep me healthy that I may bear good fruit for You – amen.
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Hottest Flame for Chaff
11.19.2010
Matthew 3:12 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” ESV
About once a year when the weather conditions are just right (the wind isn’t blowing too hard), I burn weeds in my back yard. I put the weeds in a pile, get the burn permit, make sure I have a hose (fully charged) nearby, light the fire; and the weeds burn unbelievably hot. That’s my idea of the heat of unquenchable: the right combination of flimsy fuel, heat, and oxygen make for some nearly explosive flames. I imagine that’s how chaff burns as well.
Chaff seems to be the unimportant stuff of life that we spend so much time dwelling on; yes and allowing to consume our lives, our thoughts and our focus. We seem to pour a lot of precious resource into chaff. Chaff is one of the things Jesus came to eradicate and the hottest flame for chaff is always the truth. You wanna burn a hot fire, just start throwing around some truth – things’ll heat up in a hurry.
There are times of the year – along about late August and into September that the last thing I want in my yard is fire – tinder dry grass would be a great descriptor. But if I go after the weeds early then I don’t have to go after them late. Paul said, “Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-13) Bottom line, the chaff won’t make it through the fire – not mine, not yours, not anyone’s.
Father in Heaven,
I am exposed to the unquenchable fire of Your truth and it does its work in my life. I pray not to withstand the fire but be purified by it that what is of Your truth may stand and I may be found saved – I pray in Your Name, amen.
Matthew 3:12 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” ESV
About once a year when the weather conditions are just right (the wind isn’t blowing too hard), I burn weeds in my back yard. I put the weeds in a pile, get the burn permit, make sure I have a hose (fully charged) nearby, light the fire; and the weeds burn unbelievably hot. That’s my idea of the heat of unquenchable: the right combination of flimsy fuel, heat, and oxygen make for some nearly explosive flames. I imagine that’s how chaff burns as well.
Chaff seems to be the unimportant stuff of life that we spend so much time dwelling on; yes and allowing to consume our lives, our thoughts and our focus. We seem to pour a lot of precious resource into chaff. Chaff is one of the things Jesus came to eradicate and the hottest flame for chaff is always the truth. You wanna burn a hot fire, just start throwing around some truth – things’ll heat up in a hurry.
There are times of the year – along about late August and into September that the last thing I want in my yard is fire – tinder dry grass would be a great descriptor. But if I go after the weeds early then I don’t have to go after them late. Paul said, “Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-13) Bottom line, the chaff won’t make it through the fire – not mine, not yours, not anyone’s.
Father in Heaven,
I am exposed to the unquenchable fire of Your truth and it does its work in my life. I pray not to withstand the fire but be purified by it that what is of Your truth may stand and I may be found saved – I pray in Your Name, amen.
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