Jesus, the Son of God
Chapter 25
God Agrees with the Pharisees
“the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. . . . . Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, '. . . Can't you see that it's to our advantage that one man dies for the people rather than the whole nation be destroyed?'" John 11:47-50
Reflection
As the religious leaders met to decide what to do with Jesus, Caiaphas proposed a reasonable solution. Far better to eliminate Jesus than to have the Roman Army enter Jerusalem and use brutal force to crush what would look to the military like political unrest, or even potential insurrection.
God agreed with Caiaphas. Thus John 3:16.
Why would God do this? Why would God send his Son (Himself as His Son) to die so that I can live? Why would God do this, as the big picture of the Bible implies, for you, even if you were the only person on earth? Why would He choose to die in your place?
If you know the answer to this question, then you understand Christianity.
Prayer
“Lord, I once heard that Karl Barth, perhaps the greatest theologian of the 20th century, when asked to summarize everything he had learned in a lifetime with scripture, answer, ‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so’. I, too, want to know that love even more deeply than I do now. Amen”
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Jesus, the Son of God
Chapter 25
All who are in Hell choose to be there
"if anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." John 12:47-50(NIV)
Predestination or Free Will?
Jesus is very clear. He came to save the world, not to condemn it. (see also John 3:17).
When confronted with light, or truth, or something we don’t want to admit or do or submit to we have a choice. We can either “agree” or “disagree”. We can either submit or rebel.
When confronted with God each of us reacts. This reaction, this choice, is both caused by God (it is a reaction to something after all) and my free choice (God does not violate our free will, an aspect of His image within us).
In this way the predestination/election (Calvinism) vs. free will (Arminianism) debate is a false one. In the end we will all discover that there is no difference between them. They will be discovered to have been one in the same.
One more thought. You have already chosen heaven or hell. You are living your choice at this very moment. Not all choices are actively chosen.
Prayer
“Lord, thank you for pursuing me with a love which, although freely received, is nevertheless irresistible. Amen”
Chapter 25
All who are in Hell choose to be there
"if anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." John 12:47-50(NIV)
Predestination or Free Will?
Jesus is very clear. He came to save the world, not to condemn it. (see also John 3:17).
When confronted with light, or truth, or something we don’t want to admit or do or submit to we have a choice. We can either “agree” or “disagree”. We can either submit or rebel.
When confronted with God each of us reacts. This reaction, this choice, is both caused by God (it is a reaction to something after all) and my free choice (God does not violate our free will, an aspect of His image within us).
In this way the predestination/election (Calvinism) vs. free will (Arminianism) debate is a false one. In the end we will all discover that there is no difference between them. They will be discovered to have been one in the same.
One more thought. You have already chosen heaven or hell. You are living your choice at this very moment. Not all choices are actively chosen.
Prayer
“Lord, thank you for pursuing me with a love which, although freely received, is nevertheless irresistible. Amen”
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Jesus, the Son of God
Chapter 25
The Jesus Update
"Jesus summarizes the whole Bible
'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Matthew 22:37-39(NKJV)
Jesus updates part two of his summary
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By
this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35(NKJV)
Reflection
Do you see Jesus’ update? Christianity is hard, isn’t it? Or is it?
PLEASE take the time to read the entire section below from Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. It will be worth it.
“Is Christianity Hard or Easy?”
“The ordinary idea which we all have before we become Christians is this. We take as a starting point our ordinary self with its various desires and interests. We then admit that something else – call it ‘morality’ or ‘decent behavior’, or ‘the good of society’ – has claims on this self: claims which interfere with its own desires. What we mean by ‘being good’ is giving in to these claims. Some of the things the ordinary self wanted to do turn out to be what we call ‘wrong’: well, we must give them up. Other things, which the self did not want to do, turn out to be what we call ‘right’: well, we shall have to do them. But we are hoping all the time that when all the demands have been met, the poor natural self will still have some chance, and some time, to get on with its own life and do what it likes. In fact, we are very like an honest man paying his taxes. He pays them all right, but he does hope that there will be enough left over for him to live on. Because we are still taking our natural self as the starting point.
As long as we are thinking that way, one or other of two results is likely to follow. Either we give up trying to be good, or else we become very unhappy indeed. For, make no mistake: if you are really going to try to meet all the demands made on the natural self, it will not have enough left over to live on. The more you obey your conscience, the more your conscience will demand of you. And your natural self, which is thus being starved and hampered and worried at every turn, trying to be good, or else become one of those people who, as they say, ‘live for others’ but always in a discontented, grumbling way – always wondering why the others do not notice it more and always making a martyr of yourself. And once you have become that you will be a far greater pest to anyone who has to live with you than you would have been if you had remained frankly selfish.
The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. I don’t want to drill the tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked – the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.’
It is like that here. The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self – all your wishes and precautions – to Christ. But it is far easier than what we are all trying to do instead. For what we are trying to do is to remain what we call ‘ourselves’, to keep personal happiness as our great aim in life, and yet at the same time be ‘good’. We are all trying to let our mind and heart go their own way – centered on money or pleasure or ambition – and hoping, in spite of this to behave honestly and chastely and humbly. And that is exactly what Christ warned us you could not do. As He said, a thistle cannot produce figs. If I am a field that contains nothing but grass-seed, I cannot produce wheat. Cutting the grass may keep it short: but I shall still produce grass and no wheat. If I want to produce wheat, the change must go deeper than the surface. I must be ploughed up and re-sown.”
Chapter 25
The Jesus Update
"Jesus summarizes the whole Bible
'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Matthew 22:37-39(NKJV)
Jesus updates part two of his summary
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By
this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35(NKJV)
Reflection
Do you see Jesus’ update? Christianity is hard, isn’t it? Or is it?
PLEASE take the time to read the entire section below from Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. It will be worth it.
“Is Christianity Hard or Easy?”
“The ordinary idea which we all have before we become Christians is this. We take as a starting point our ordinary self with its various desires and interests. We then admit that something else – call it ‘morality’ or ‘decent behavior’, or ‘the good of society’ – has claims on this self: claims which interfere with its own desires. What we mean by ‘being good’ is giving in to these claims. Some of the things the ordinary self wanted to do turn out to be what we call ‘wrong’: well, we must give them up. Other things, which the self did not want to do, turn out to be what we call ‘right’: well, we shall have to do them. But we are hoping all the time that when all the demands have been met, the poor natural self will still have some chance, and some time, to get on with its own life and do what it likes. In fact, we are very like an honest man paying his taxes. He pays them all right, but he does hope that there will be enough left over for him to live on. Because we are still taking our natural self as the starting point.
As long as we are thinking that way, one or other of two results is likely to follow. Either we give up trying to be good, or else we become very unhappy indeed. For, make no mistake: if you are really going to try to meet all the demands made on the natural self, it will not have enough left over to live on. The more you obey your conscience, the more your conscience will demand of you. And your natural self, which is thus being starved and hampered and worried at every turn, trying to be good, or else become one of those people who, as they say, ‘live for others’ but always in a discontented, grumbling way – always wondering why the others do not notice it more and always making a martyr of yourself. And once you have become that you will be a far greater pest to anyone who has to live with you than you would have been if you had remained frankly selfish.
The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. I don’t want to drill the tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked – the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.’
It is like that here. The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self – all your wishes and precautions – to Christ. But it is far easier than what we are all trying to do instead. For what we are trying to do is to remain what we call ‘ourselves’, to keep personal happiness as our great aim in life, and yet at the same time be ‘good’. We are all trying to let our mind and heart go their own way – centered on money or pleasure or ambition – and hoping, in spite of this to behave honestly and chastely and humbly. And that is exactly what Christ warned us you could not do. As He said, a thistle cannot produce figs. If I am a field that contains nothing but grass-seed, I cannot produce wheat. Cutting the grass may keep it short: but I shall still produce grass and no wheat. If I want to produce wheat, the change must go deeper than the surface. I must be ploughed up and re-sown.”
Friday, March 16, 2012
The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 6
Don't Worry
" I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-34(NIV)
Prayer
“Lord, so much of my worry is control. It’s all an illusion. All things are in your hands. You tell us in the Bible that you are weaving all events, every single one of them, even those that are the epitome of evil, into good. Help me, Lord, to be a “thank you person”, to be a person who sees every anxiety and fear as a place of training so that you can build me into a truster of you. Train me Lord, regardless of the cost, out of the fearful person I now am into a person who knows he is in the most ultimate sense, safe, and therefore can be happy. Amen”
Matthew 6
Don't Worry
" I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-34(NIV)
Prayer
“Lord, so much of my worry is control. It’s all an illusion. All things are in your hands. You tell us in the Bible that you are weaving all events, every single one of them, even those that are the epitome of evil, into good. Help me, Lord, to be a “thank you person”, to be a person who sees every anxiety and fear as a place of training so that you can build me into a truster of you. Train me Lord, regardless of the cost, out of the fearful person I now am into a person who knows he is in the most ultimate sense, safe, and therefore can be happy. Amen”
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 6
Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray
"This, then, is how you should pray:
'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not
forgive your sins." Matthew 6:9-15(NIV)
This is how to Pray
Pray for God’s Kingdom to replace your kingdom. If you see answers to this prayer, then you are entering the Kingdom of God.
Notice the parts. You are talking to your “dad”. You tell him you want everyone to know him, and to trust him. You ask him for what you need and believe he’s providing exactly that. And you ask him to empower you to do what you can’t do on your own, that is to forgive and to resist temptation.
But then Jesus reiterates in the strongest possible terms one aspect of the prayer. Did you know that your refusal to forgive hardens you to the point that you cannot receive forgiveness? Jesus tells us that stubbornly holding on to “justice” or bitterness or unforgiveness is the equivalent of stubbornly rejecting God?
Prayer
“Lord, your kingdom is one of peace. Forgive me for those times when I have refused to take up my cross and follow you by absorbing the cost of forgiving another. That’s your path, Lord. You led the way, help me to follow. Amen”
Matthew 6
Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray
"This, then, is how you should pray:
'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not
forgive your sins." Matthew 6:9-15(NIV)
This is how to Pray
Pray for God’s Kingdom to replace your kingdom. If you see answers to this prayer, then you are entering the Kingdom of God.
Notice the parts. You are talking to your “dad”. You tell him you want everyone to know him, and to trust him. You ask him for what you need and believe he’s providing exactly that. And you ask him to empower you to do what you can’t do on your own, that is to forgive and to resist temptation.
But then Jesus reiterates in the strongest possible terms one aspect of the prayer. Did you know that your refusal to forgive hardens you to the point that you cannot receive forgiveness? Jesus tells us that stubbornly holding on to “justice” or bitterness or unforgiveness is the equivalent of stubbornly rejecting God?
Prayer
“Lord, your kingdom is one of peace. Forgive me for those times when I have refused to take up my cross and follow you by absorbing the cost of forgiving another. That’s your path, Lord. You led the way, help me to follow. Amen”
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5
What Life is Like in the Kingdom of God
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3-10(NIV)
Happy
“Blessed” more or less means happy. In these “beatitudes” Jesus does not list things to do. He is not saying that if I do A then I will get B. That’s works not Grace.
Jesus is teaching grace. In God’s Kingdom the impoverished, the persecuted, those who hunger for a better world, but are not experiencing it, those from humble circumstances . . . . .all can view themselves as blessed, as happy because God is with them and because God will not allow their bad circumstances to be the last word of their lives. Each will be compensated for in heaven (read vs. 12 in your Bible).
None of this is an “ought”, rather life as it is. Virtually all reports I receive from the third world tell of the happiness of the poor relative to the spiritual impoverishment of us Americans who “have it all”. We’re simply not a very happy bunch. Who is richer? Those who live short lives in impoverished communities who know God and his provision or those in the first world who have garages (equipped with openers!) and too many clothes and too much food and too much TV and internet, but are too consumed with consumption to know God?
Prayer
“Father, I am among the consumed consumers. Forgive me, Lord. As an addict to comfort and complacency I need your help. In Jesus’ Name. Amen”
Matthew 5
What Life is Like in the Kingdom of God
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3-10(NIV)
Happy
“Blessed” more or less means happy. In these “beatitudes” Jesus does not list things to do. He is not saying that if I do A then I will get B. That’s works not Grace.
Jesus is teaching grace. In God’s Kingdom the impoverished, the persecuted, those who hunger for a better world, but are not experiencing it, those from humble circumstances . . . . .all can view themselves as blessed, as happy because God is with them and because God will not allow their bad circumstances to be the last word of their lives. Each will be compensated for in heaven (read vs. 12 in your Bible).
None of this is an “ought”, rather life as it is. Virtually all reports I receive from the third world tell of the happiness of the poor relative to the spiritual impoverishment of us Americans who “have it all”. We’re simply not a very happy bunch. Who is richer? Those who live short lives in impoverished communities who know God and his provision or those in the first world who have garages (equipped with openers!) and too many clothes and too much food and too much TV and internet, but are too consumed with consumption to know God?
Prayer
“Father, I am among the consumed consumers. Forgive me, Lord. As an addict to comfort and complacency I need your help. In Jesus’ Name. Amen”
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Kingdom of God
Mark 4
The Kingdom of God
"This is what the kingdom of God is like.
A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:26-29(NIV)
"All by itself" - You cannot build God's Kingdom
My problem in life, and yours, and that of the world, is that each of us seeks his own Kingdom. Doing so “works” for a while but eventually passes away like all other Kingdoms except God’s. If I repent, jettison my kingdom in favor of His, then I have to spend a life time learning how live differently , because His Kingdom is run by Him, not me. My job, then, is to arrange my life in such a way that my decisions, efforts, attitudes, relationships are all to be pursued in a way that opens me to God’s direction and provision. I no longer make my life happen, He does. This is where spiritual disciplines, although requiring discipline, are not about my making things happen, rather they put me into a position where God has the freedom to lead in my life, and in doing so he enables me to do what I could not do without His presence.
Prayer
“Lord, help! I have only a meager prayer life, when you want to open me to yourself by way of a praying life. Please lead me into spiritual practices that open me to your leadership in my life. Amen."
Mark 4
The Kingdom of God
"This is what the kingdom of God is like.
A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:26-29(NIV)
"All by itself" - You cannot build God's Kingdom
My problem in life, and yours, and that of the world, is that each of us seeks his own Kingdom. Doing so “works” for a while but eventually passes away like all other Kingdoms except God’s. If I repent, jettison my kingdom in favor of His, then I have to spend a life time learning how live differently , because His Kingdom is run by Him, not me. My job, then, is to arrange my life in such a way that my decisions, efforts, attitudes, relationships are all to be pursued in a way that opens me to God’s direction and provision. I no longer make my life happen, He does. This is where spiritual disciplines, although requiring discipline, are not about my making things happen, rather they put me into a position where God has the freedom to lead in my life, and in doing so he enables me to do what I could not do without His presence.
Prayer
“Lord, help! I have only a meager prayer life, when you want to open me to yourself by way of a praying life. Please lead me into spiritual practices that open me to your leadership in my life. Amen."
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Kingdom of God
Luke 8
Jesus' Story of the Farmer Who is Planting His Crop
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Luke 8:5-8(NIV)
Jesus Explains His Story
"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop". Luke 8:11-15(NIV)
Prayer
“Lord, please make me good soil today. I admit that I've got temptations, rocks and thorns in me that need removed, painful as that removal will probably be. Yet I know you've planted and that there are roots just waiting to spring up as signs of your life in me. May you increase and I decrease. Amen”
Luke 8
Jesus' Story of the Farmer Who is Planting His Crop
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Luke 8:5-8(NIV)
Jesus Explains His Story
"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop". Luke 8:11-15(NIV)
Prayer
“Lord, please make me good soil today. I admit that I've got temptations, rocks and thorns in me that need removed, painful as that removal will probably be. Yet I know you've planted and that there are roots just waiting to spring up as signs of your life in me. May you increase and I decrease. Amen”
Friday, March 9, 2012
John 1
Jesus' Ministry Begins
The Holy Spirit, Satan and You
“The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.” Mark 1:12-13(NLT)
"Ha Satan" the Accuser
In the Old Testament Satan does not show up very often. We see him once in first Chronicles, a few times at the beginning of Job, once in Psalms and twice in Zechariah. However he’s all over the place in the Gospels.
In fact Mark, the earliest Gospel, the document off of which Matthew and Luke worked, skips “Christmas” and takes us right to the center of the cosmic battle between God and the agent of evil, “ha Satan”, the “accuser”. No sooner is Jesus baptized, affirmed in the most beautiful way by God, his Father, than the Holy Spirit “drives” Jesus into six weeks of temptation in face to face combat . Jesus resists by quoting scripture, suffering and trusting. But then he’s ready for ministry.
I take it from this that we should not be surprised that God will train us also by putting us in the way of temptations which the accuser will delight in believing he’s free to orchestrate. In reality, however, although Satan seems to have a limited temporary freedom, his actions in relation to you are ultimately used by God to strengthen you. How, by driving you back to God, just as Jesus was.
How does one do “spiritual warfare”? If you’re in darkness, head straight toward the light. Be in church, never stay away. Read the Bible, in particular the Gospels. Confess your sins and repent. Stay in contact with godly friends who pray for you. Be courageous and renounce debilitating behaviors and embark on God’s path for your life.
Prayer
“Lord, although you allow, even orchestrate encounters within the world of darkness to strengthen me, I will not focus on them. I will not allow myself to devolve into a fearful combatant who feels the need to fight off demons right and left. The battle is yours and I will spend my time moving toward the light. Amen”
Jesus' Ministry Begins
The Holy Spirit, Satan and You
“The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.” Mark 1:12-13(NLT)
"Ha Satan" the Accuser
In the Old Testament Satan does not show up very often. We see him once in first Chronicles, a few times at the beginning of Job, once in Psalms and twice in Zechariah. However he’s all over the place in the Gospels.
In fact Mark, the earliest Gospel, the document off of which Matthew and Luke worked, skips “Christmas” and takes us right to the center of the cosmic battle between God and the agent of evil, “ha Satan”, the “accuser”. No sooner is Jesus baptized, affirmed in the most beautiful way by God, his Father, than the Holy Spirit “drives” Jesus into six weeks of temptation in face to face combat . Jesus resists by quoting scripture, suffering and trusting. But then he’s ready for ministry.
I take it from this that we should not be surprised that God will train us also by putting us in the way of temptations which the accuser will delight in believing he’s free to orchestrate. In reality, however, although Satan seems to have a limited temporary freedom, his actions in relation to you are ultimately used by God to strengthen you. How, by driving you back to God, just as Jesus was.
How does one do “spiritual warfare”? If you’re in darkness, head straight toward the light. Be in church, never stay away. Read the Bible, in particular the Gospels. Confess your sins and repent. Stay in contact with godly friends who pray for you. Be courageous and renounce debilitating behaviors and embark on God’s path for your life.
Prayer
“Lord, although you allow, even orchestrate encounters within the world of darkness to strengthen me, I will not focus on them. I will not allow myself to devolve into a fearful combatant who feels the need to fight off demons right and left. The battle is yours and I will spend my time moving toward the light. Amen”
Thursday, March 8, 2012
John 1
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Talk to People
“What do you want?” he asked John and Andrew. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. . . . .
Andrew then went to find his brother. . .. and brought Simon to meet Jesus.
Jesus later . . . .found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.”. . . .Philip then went to look for Nathaniel and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” John 1:38-45(NLT)
Reflection
Jesus met Andrew and John, hung out with them, they hit it off and Andrew asked his brother to hang out too. Same with Philip and Nathaniel. Simple.
But hanging out isn’t so simple is it? For me hanging out can’t just be talking, it’s got to be engaging in something. The question becomes, am I willing to invite others into my life in such a way that they will, over time, be exposed to Jesus?
Each of us is different. Each of us must find our own way. The one thing that most of us have in common, however, is that it requires some sort of sacrifice. Sacrifice of time, or sacrifice of my “us four and no more” comfortable little group, or sacrifice of some of my private space.
What is your plan for hanging out with those who need Jesus?
Prayer
“Lord, I suspect it starts in the heart. Therefore I say to you today, I am willing. Today I will pay attention to those people whom you put before me and seek to allow you to use me as your conduit between them and you. Amen”
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Talk to People
“What do you want?” he asked John and Andrew. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day. . . . .
Andrew then went to find his brother. . .. and brought Simon to meet Jesus.
Jesus later . . . .found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.”. . . .Philip then went to look for Nathaniel and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” John 1:38-45(NLT)
Reflection
Jesus met Andrew and John, hung out with them, they hit it off and Andrew asked his brother to hang out too. Same with Philip and Nathaniel. Simple.
But hanging out isn’t so simple is it? For me hanging out can’t just be talking, it’s got to be engaging in something. The question becomes, am I willing to invite others into my life in such a way that they will, over time, be exposed to Jesus?
Each of us is different. Each of us must find our own way. The one thing that most of us have in common, however, is that it requires some sort of sacrifice. Sacrifice of time, or sacrifice of my “us four and no more” comfortable little group, or sacrifice of some of my private space.
What is your plan for hanging out with those who need Jesus?
Prayer
“Lord, I suspect it starts in the heart. Therefore I say to you today, I am willing. Today I will pay attention to those people whom you put before me and seek to allow you to use me as your conduit between them and you. Amen”
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Luke 1 & 2
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Previews of the Coming Event
“Jesus cured many people of their diseases and illnesses, and he cast out evil spirits and restored sight to many who were blind. Then he told John’s disciples, 'Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.' And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.'"Luke 7:21-23(NLT)
Miracles as Movie Trailers
I love going to the movies early enough to watch the trailers. I love previewing the upcoming attractions. They make me anticipate the full show. They whet my appetite. They cause me even to live in the future a little bit, in the anticipation of what is coming.
Jesus’ miracles were his restoring in individual lives and among pockets of people in the Near East what the world was meant to be in the first place. He healed the sick, drove out demons, the blind could see and the deaf could hear and the lame could walk. The hungry were fed, the thirsty given drink and the life of God came alive in people. These actions of Jesus were his setting the world to rights.
When you see, experience or read of a miracle, that’s the trailer. Let the anticipation of the final coming event, the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21), fill you with anticipation and confidence that today can be lived in the full confidence of God’s tomorrow.
Prayer
“Father, thank you for the confidence we can have that although we are living in a broken world, previews of the coming event abound. I will rest my heart in that. Amen”
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Previews of the Coming Event
“Jesus cured many people of their diseases and illnesses, and he cast out evil spirits and restored sight to many who were blind. Then he told John’s disciples, 'Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.' And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.'"Luke 7:21-23(NLT)
Miracles as Movie Trailers
I love going to the movies early enough to watch the trailers. I love previewing the upcoming attractions. They make me anticipate the full show. They whet my appetite. They cause me even to live in the future a little bit, in the anticipation of what is coming.
Jesus’ miracles were his restoring in individual lives and among pockets of people in the Near East what the world was meant to be in the first place. He healed the sick, drove out demons, the blind could see and the deaf could hear and the lame could walk. The hungry were fed, the thirsty given drink and the life of God came alive in people. These actions of Jesus were his setting the world to rights.
When you see, experience or read of a miracle, that’s the trailer. Let the anticipation of the final coming event, the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21), fill you with anticipation and confidence that today can be lived in the full confidence of God’s tomorrow.
Prayer
“Father, thank you for the confidence we can have that although we are living in a broken world, previews of the coming event abound. I will rest my heart in that. Amen”
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Matthew 1 & 2
Jesus' Ministry Begins
God Arrives in Person
"The time promised by God has come at last!" He announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"Mark 1:15(NLT)
This graphic displays the history of universe. God, the Light, created the world (Genesis 1), but we humans fractured it with our selfishness (Genesis 3). God did not however remove his light from the darkness. He entered the darkness by revealing Himself to Abraham and then Isaac and Jacob and Moses and through the Exodus and Prophets and return from exile and so much more. This is the family of Abraham known as Israel.
Finally, when the time was right, after having met the world halfway, almost on its own terms, God entered the mess himself - as a person, one of those born into the family of Abraham. The Light came Physically to earth John 1:1-18. Yet, writes John, most prefer the darkness to the light.
Mark begins his Gospel very plainly and very profoundly. He says that with coming of Jesus, the Life of God has arrived. Heady stuff. That’s the Big Story, God’s Upper Story. Is the Upper Story impacting your lower story?
Prayer
“Lord, I get it, now, by your grace, give me what is necessary to fully embrace it. Amen."
Jesus' Ministry Begins
God Arrives in Person
"The time promised by God has come at last!" He announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!"Mark 1:15(NLT)
This graphic displays the history of universe. God, the Light, created the world (Genesis 1), but we humans fractured it with our selfishness (Genesis 3). God did not however remove his light from the darkness. He entered the darkness by revealing Himself to Abraham and then Isaac and Jacob and Moses and through the Exodus and Prophets and return from exile and so much more. This is the family of Abraham known as Israel.
Finally, when the time was right, after having met the world halfway, almost on its own terms, God entered the mess himself - as a person, one of those born into the family of Abraham. The Light came Physically to earth John 1:1-18. Yet, writes John, most prefer the darkness to the light.
Mark begins his Gospel very plainly and very profoundly. He says that with coming of Jesus, the Life of God has arrived. Heady stuff. That’s the Big Story, God’s Upper Story. Is the Upper Story impacting your lower story?
Prayer
“Lord, I get it, now, by your grace, give me what is necessary to fully embrace it. Amen."
Monday, March 5, 2012
Matthew 1 & 2
Jesus' Ministry Begins
The Crucial Difference
"After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.'" Matthew 3:16-17
“you must be born again” John 3:7
Reflection
Can you imagine hearing these words spoken by God to you, “this is my dearly beloved son/daughter, who brings me great joy”? The disciple John, writer of the Gospel called himself “the one Jesus loves”. Can you say that about yourself? At Jesus’ last supper, Peter at first refused to let Jesus wash his feet because he felt unworthy. Yet Jesus said that Peter couldn’t have any part of him unless Jesus did that. Have you, metaphorically speaking, let Jesus wash your feet?
It is this one step, this swallowing of my “reverse pride” that says “I cannot possibly be loved like that” that is for many the most formidable barrier to living the life God wants you to live.
Practice calling yourself what John called himself. Practice imagining God saying to you what He said to Jesus.
God is crazy about you. When God first thought of you before you were even conceived, his heart overflowed with love for you.
Prayer
“Lord, yes, it is more blessed to give than to receive, but it is harder to receive than to give, at least for me. Please Lord teach me the humility that accepts your love and acceptance in spite of what I know about myself. In Jesus’ name. Amen”
Jesus' Ministry Begins
The Crucial Difference
"After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.'" Matthew 3:16-17
“you must be born again” John 3:7
Reflection
Can you imagine hearing these words spoken by God to you, “this is my dearly beloved son/daughter, who brings me great joy”? The disciple John, writer of the Gospel called himself “the one Jesus loves”. Can you say that about yourself? At Jesus’ last supper, Peter at first refused to let Jesus wash his feet because he felt unworthy. Yet Jesus said that Peter couldn’t have any part of him unless Jesus did that. Have you, metaphorically speaking, let Jesus wash your feet?
It is this one step, this swallowing of my “reverse pride” that says “I cannot possibly be loved like that” that is for many the most formidable barrier to living the life God wants you to live.
Practice calling yourself what John called himself. Practice imagining God saying to you what He said to Jesus.
God is crazy about you. When God first thought of you before you were even conceived, his heart overflowed with love for you.
Prayer
“Lord, yes, it is more blessed to give than to receive, but it is harder to receive than to give, at least for me. Please Lord teach me the humility that accepts your love and acceptance in spite of what I know about myself. In Jesus’ name. Amen”
Friday, March 2, 2012
The Birth of the King
John 1
Our World
"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him." John 1:10
Does this verse apply to you? How?
Christian
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:11-13
To be born of God (born again) means that the Spirit of God is at work within you, tearing down old structures within you and building new ones. This is a painful process which is at the same time good and life-giving. Have you asked Jesus to do this within you? Are you resisting Him?
Jesus
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."John 1:14
Jesus is God. God was on earth for short life time. He is still on earth within believers and that’s where we will find Him today, How? When you see Grace and Truth expressed together, not blended, not half and half, but each in its fullness, one not compromising the other but instead fulfilling and glorifying the other. When you encounter hints of that, you are encountering Jesus.
Prayer
“Lord, whatever renovations to my interior life that need to be done, do them. I grant you access to every “room in my house” including the ones that shame me. Build truth into me. Build Grace into me. Remove my version of me and give me your version of me. Amen”
John 1
Our World
"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him." John 1:10
Does this verse apply to you? How?
Christian
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:11-13
To be born of God (born again) means that the Spirit of God is at work within you, tearing down old structures within you and building new ones. This is a painful process which is at the same time good and life-giving. Have you asked Jesus to do this within you? Are you resisting Him?
Jesus
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."John 1:14
Jesus is God. God was on earth for short life time. He is still on earth within believers and that’s where we will find Him today, How? When you see Grace and Truth expressed together, not blended, not half and half, but each in its fullness, one not compromising the other but instead fulfilling and glorifying the other. When you encounter hints of that, you are encountering Jesus.
Prayer
“Lord, whatever renovations to my interior life that need to be done, do them. I grant you access to every “room in my house” including the ones that shame me. Build truth into me. Build Grace into me. Remove my version of me and give me your version of me. Amen”
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Birth of the King
John 1
Astonishing!
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men." John 1:1-4(NIV)
If this is true. . . .
The implications of these verses are staggering.
They include the following: I am accountable to Jesus for how I live. The life I have is given to me with expectations. Jesus is right now the competent “CEO” of the universe. Jesus is right now setting all things right. Life exists beyond this life. The next life depends on my relationship to Jesus in this life. Life and death are in Jesus’ hands, not mine. I could go on.
Think of scientists, businessmen, psychologists, physiologists, economists, parenting, living in community with others, or anything at all that you may be engaged in. Do you pursue life without consulting the One who created and understands every detail of that endeavor or do you go it alone and throw up a prayer every once in a while?
Jesus is the most brilliant, powerful, beautiful, intelligent, rational, compassionate Being that ever existed. And, of course, that has to rate as the grossest understatement of all time.
Why is it then that we can be so unwise (another gross understatement) that we would choose to do anything, ever, without first consulting Him? What could be more unintelligent? (consulting Jesus is called prayer)
Prayer
“Lord, forgive me for my same old pride and busy-ness and simple unreflective and unintelligent approach to life that not only leaves you out, but in really doesn’t work like you intend life to work. So, Lord Jesus, I ask you, the creator and sustainer of the universe and all that is in it, including me, to come to me and change my heart and my will and my behaviors so that I rely, actually rely, on you for what I do today and each day. Amen”
John 1
Astonishing!
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men." John 1:1-4(NIV)
If this is true. . . .
The implications of these verses are staggering.
They include the following: I am accountable to Jesus for how I live. The life I have is given to me with expectations. Jesus is right now the competent “CEO” of the universe. Jesus is right now setting all things right. Life exists beyond this life. The next life depends on my relationship to Jesus in this life. Life and death are in Jesus’ hands, not mine. I could go on.
Think of scientists, businessmen, psychologists, physiologists, economists, parenting, living in community with others, or anything at all that you may be engaged in. Do you pursue life without consulting the One who created and understands every detail of that endeavor or do you go it alone and throw up a prayer every once in a while?
Jesus is the most brilliant, powerful, beautiful, intelligent, rational, compassionate Being that ever existed. And, of course, that has to rate as the grossest understatement of all time.
Why is it then that we can be so unwise (another gross understatement) that we would choose to do anything, ever, without first consulting Him? What could be more unintelligent? (consulting Jesus is called prayer)
Prayer
“Lord, forgive me for my same old pride and busy-ness and simple unreflective and unintelligent approach to life that not only leaves you out, but in really doesn’t work like you intend life to work. So, Lord Jesus, I ask you, the creator and sustainer of the universe and all that is in it, including me, to come to me and change my heart and my will and my behaviors so that I rely, actually rely, on you for what I do today and each day. Amen”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)