What is your practice of humbling yourself before others? Or do you look at your boss and think and act as if you know better? Is your humility an act to get a hearing, to get what you want? Is your practice of servant leadership done out of a heart for Jesus and other people or a method to get ahead?
Do you gossip or put down others when they are not present, yet while in their presence they see you acting humble and honoring? When you are hurt are you able to hold your negative feelings back so that your are able to go to the one who hurt you with restraint, humility yet “care-frontation”? Can you serve your enemies and pray for the best for them?
Such questions are important heart checks for every Christ Follower.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
February 26, 2010
“I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Did you know that in Jesus we see what we are intended to be? Yes that’s true. We do not become God, but the full image of God. Was Jesus crazy when He said more than once, that if we believe, we can do what He did? Was he lying? Was He just using hyperole? Or did he simply mean what He said.
Jesus tells us what it is that we need . . . .to . . .
a. Believe
b. Pray
Believing requires the practice of a God inspired imagination. Practice seeing beyond this material world. Practice seeing the power of God which permeates all aspects of creation. And pray. Find a way to pray that works for you. As long as prayer connects you with God, elevates Jesus, submits you to God’s power, and humbles you into believing obedience then your praying is effective. And pray and don’t give up (Luke 18:1)
Did you know that in Jesus we see what we are intended to be? Yes that’s true. We do not become God, but the full image of God. Was Jesus crazy when He said more than once, that if we believe, we can do what He did? Was he lying? Was He just using hyperole? Or did he simply mean what He said.
Jesus tells us what it is that we need . . . .to . . .
a. Believe
b. Pray
Believing requires the practice of a God inspired imagination. Practice seeing beyond this material world. Practice seeing the power of God which permeates all aspects of creation. And pray. Find a way to pray that works for you. As long as prayer connects you with God, elevates Jesus, submits you to God’s power, and humbles you into believing obedience then your praying is effective. And pray and don’t give up (Luke 18:1)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
February 25, 2010
My problem is that I look forward to days or evenings when I can get a break from responsibilities. However, most of the time when I get time like that I waste it. I watch a dumb TV show or fall asleep. Actually the sleep almost always accompanies the tube.
On the other hand when, I simply follow God’s leadings, nudging, promptings, though tired and the leading be a difficult one, the result is a deep feeling of life and joy.
Do you have this problem, wanting what ends up boring you and avoiding what brings you a sense of life, community and purpose? (for more on this check out the end of Romans chapter 7).
What about needing a break? Jesus is pretty clear. If we can turn our down times into solitude with the Lord, He’ll refresh us ( for more on this check out the end of Matthew chapter 11)
On the other hand when, I simply follow God’s leadings, nudging, promptings, though tired and the leading be a difficult one, the result is a deep feeling of life and joy.
Do you have this problem, wanting what ends up boring you and avoiding what brings you a sense of life, community and purpose? (for more on this check out the end of Romans chapter 7).
What about needing a break? Jesus is pretty clear. If we can turn our down times into solitude with the Lord, He’ll refresh us ( for more on this check out the end of Matthew chapter 11)
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
February 24, 2010
Jesus takes “Son of Man” from Daniel chapter 9 as his self designation. Every Jew knew this term to refer to the long awaited Messiah who would come to destroy all enemies and restore the Kingdom of Israel.
Yet, in this one pronouncement, Jesus redefines everything. Instead of destroying earthly powers Jesus will be destroyed by them. And in this submission, he will provide for the redemption, not only of Israel but also of the world. And finally, Jesus would defeat the great enemy, death itself.
This was not Peter’s plan!!!!! Peter, the activist, wanted to fight, to maximize Jesus’ otherworldly power.
And Jesus said “no” in the most unequivocal terms. “Get behind me Satan”.
How often do you pray and follow the Lord according to your own redefined way, a way that you think “works” for you, but may be exactly the opposite of how Jesus wants you to follow Him?
Yet, in this one pronouncement, Jesus redefines everything. Instead of destroying earthly powers Jesus will be destroyed by them. And in this submission, he will provide for the redemption, not only of Israel but also of the world. And finally, Jesus would defeat the great enemy, death itself.
This was not Peter’s plan!!!!! Peter, the activist, wanted to fight, to maximize Jesus’ otherworldly power.
And Jesus said “no” in the most unequivocal terms. “Get behind me Satan”.
How often do you pray and follow the Lord according to your own redefined way, a way that you think “works” for you, but may be exactly the opposite of how Jesus wants you to follow Him?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
February 23, 2010
I hope each of you chooses to practice awe, wonder, amazement this week. Choose to see beyond the immediate. Choose to notice distant echoes of holiness. Choose to see God’s glory revealed in those around you (each human being is created in the image of God after all). Choose to imagine the best, to notice beauty (not as you the beholder defines it, rather as God, one who is beauty reveals it). Choose to practice Ephesians 4:8.
Jesus’ place of enchantment was being alone in nature. Where is yours? Where do you come alive in your love of and passion for the presence of God Himself?
Jesus’ place of enchantment was being alone in nature. Where is yours? Where do you come alive in your love of and passion for the presence of God Himself?
Saturday, February 20, 2010
February 20, 2010
Today’s passage marks the end of the first half of the Gospel of Mark. In the first 8 chapters he goes to great lengths to teach his readers who Jesus is, that Jesus is God in the flesh, the Creator, Sustainer God of the Hebrew Bible.
The culmination of this section of Mark is Peter’s proclamation of faith. Peter was ready to follow Jesus as Messiah even though he had yet to learn why Jesus had come and how He would accomplish his reason for coming. There is still much to learn.
Why did Jesus want Peter to keep quiet? “Messiah” stirred all kinds of nationalistic and revolutionary, therefore incendiary emotions in many Jews. Jesus did not want that interfering with his mission. Nor did he want huge crowds pressing in on him simply because they were “gawking”. His main mission was to disciple a few men, not inspire huge crowds. Furthermore The word for “timing” is Kairos. Jesus “kairos” moment had not yet come and he was intent on staying with God’s “kairos”. He knew what he was doing and the disciples had to trust Him.
Next we turn to answering the question, “why did Jesus come?"
The culmination of this section of Mark is Peter’s proclamation of faith. Peter was ready to follow Jesus as Messiah even though he had yet to learn why Jesus had come and how He would accomplish his reason for coming. There is still much to learn.
Why did Jesus want Peter to keep quiet? “Messiah” stirred all kinds of nationalistic and revolutionary, therefore incendiary emotions in many Jews. Jesus did not want that interfering with his mission. Nor did he want huge crowds pressing in on him simply because they were “gawking”. His main mission was to disciple a few men, not inspire huge crowds. Furthermore The word for “timing” is Kairos. Jesus “kairos” moment had not yet come and he was intent on staying with God’s “kairos”. He knew what he was doing and the disciples had to trust Him.
Next we turn to answering the question, “why did Jesus come?"
Friday, February 19, 2010
February 19, 2010
Dogs? Doesn’t sound like very Christ-like language does it?
Language like this was usual fare in use by Jews in reference to gentiles. Jesus is probably giving an initial refusal to this woman’s request using the endearing (puppies) or degrading “dogs” (both are possible) because she was interrupting and in order to discern whether or not her heart is open to more than some act of magic from someone she may perceive as a local magician.
But this woman humbles herself, taking no offense. She essentially admits she has no right to be at the table. She doesn’t claim racisim and admits she’s a sinner. She doesn’t demand her rights. This is much more than a good strategy to get what she wants. What we see here is a wonderful combination of an attitude of humility and a bold trust in the magnitude of God’s grace through Jesus.
We would do well to learn from this woman.
Language like this was usual fare in use by Jews in reference to gentiles. Jesus is probably giving an initial refusal to this woman’s request using the endearing (puppies) or degrading “dogs” (both are possible) because she was interrupting and in order to discern whether or not her heart is open to more than some act of magic from someone she may perceive as a local magician.
But this woman humbles herself, taking no offense. She essentially admits she has no right to be at the table. She doesn’t claim racisim and admits she’s a sinner. She doesn’t demand her rights. This is much more than a good strategy to get what she wants. What we see here is a wonderful combination of an attitude of humility and a bold trust in the magnitude of God’s grace through Jesus.
We would do well to learn from this woman.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
February 18, 2010
The Isaiah passage which Jesus quotes shows that the purpose of the law is relationship with God, to get more of God, to get near to God, to please him, to imitate Him, to connect with Him.
All to often man made religion gets in the way. When religion becomes an end in itself it strangles our worship, our relationship with God. When religious practices deepens your love and connection to God it’s good. When we use it to prove ourselves as good and moral people, it’s terrible. It strangles us and those around us.
Are you learning to love God with all your heart mind sould and strength? Are you growing in your love and service of others, loving others as Christ loved you? (John 13:34). It so your religious practices are wonderful things. If not, it’s time revaluate either your religious practices or your practice of your religious practices.
All to often man made religion gets in the way. When religion becomes an end in itself it strangles our worship, our relationship with God. When religious practices deepens your love and connection to God it’s good. When we use it to prove ourselves as good and moral people, it’s terrible. It strangles us and those around us.
Are you learning to love God with all your heart mind sould and strength? Are you growing in your love and service of others, loving others as Christ loved you? (John 13:34). It so your religious practices are wonderful things. If not, it’s time revaluate either your religious practices or your practice of your religious practices.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 17, 2010
In this miracle no one is in trouble and there’s no rescue. Rather we see Jesus revealing His glory. Recall Exodus 33:19 when God “passed them by”. Recall the burning bush when God revealed himself as “I AM”, just as Jesus refers to himself in vs. 50 (literally “don’t be afraid, for I AM”). His action is clearly God-like yet He is trying to relate his power to their situation. They need to believe and trust. The best way to train them is to remind them of who He is, Creator, Lord and Sustainer of all the material world. Recall also Job 9:8 “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. God led Israel out through the sea.” (“treads on the waves of the sea… though your footprints were not seen.”) Now Jesus Christ treads on the waves. This is a clear identification of Jesus with the Lord God himself.
Perhaps The reason the Lord may send you into a storm is to show you his character, power and provision and ultimately) to comfort you.
Perhaps The reason the Lord may send you into a storm is to show you his character, power and provision and ultimately) to comfort you.
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