SCRIPTURE
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
OBSERVATION
Here we have two sisters. Both sisters recognize Jesus as Lord. However, they respond to Jesus' presence in their home differently. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to him teach. Martha becomes busy playing the role of a hostess. Presumably, she is preparing a meal for Jesus and the disciples, a task that needed to be accomplished. However, she becomes frustrated with her sister not helping in the chores. And who can blame her? However, Jesus responds that Mary has made the better choice. While Martha has become concerned with many things, Mary has focused on one thing (becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ). And Jesus says this is the one thing that is needed.
APPLICATION
Life is full of distractions and there are many things that we think we need to do. However, Jesus tells us that there is one thing that is truly needed, and that is him. What we need to do is sit at his feet as his disciple and learn from him; to spend our day with him. To try to become like him. The great thing is that we can do this while we walk throughout our day. We can be busy making preparations for life, and rather than seeing them as distractions, see them as moments to spend with our Rabbi, our Teacher, our Lord. I can spend time with Jesus as I wash dishes, drive my car, struggle with patience or go to the grocery store. The question is, will I choose the one thing needed as I walk throughout my day?
PRAYER
Father, help me to choose the one thing needed. Help me to "sit at the feet of Jesus" as I go from moment to moment, experience to experience, interaction to interaction. Help me to be a disciple in every moment of every day.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
A Dangerous Question
SCRIPTURE
Luke 9:18-20
Luke 9:18-20
One day as Jesus was alone, praying, he came over to his disciples and asked them, "Who do people say that I am?"
"Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead."
Then he asked them, "Who do you say that I am?"
Peter replied, "You are the Messiah sent from God."
OBSERVATION
On this occasion, Jesus asks the disciples two questions. The first question, "who do others say that I am?," is a safe one to answer. It's based on other people's opinions, beliefs and commitments. The answer to it has no bearing on the lives of the disciples. The second question, "who do you say that I am?," can be a dangerous one to answer. The obvious emphasis here is on you. The reason it is dangerous is because the answer has the potential to change the very nature of one's life. Peter boldly answers, "You are the Messiah, sent by God." One cannot give this answer without having his or her life radically altered. In the following verses (v. 23-27), Jesus tells his followers that they cannot be his follower without putting aside their selfish ambition. The proclamation that Jesus is Messiah leads one to a new life.
APPLICATION
Knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ is always a personal discovery. There is always an emphasis on "who do you say Jesus is?" And the answer can be dangerous to the way life is lived. The answer to this question impacts our understanding and interaction with the world. It should direct our decisions and plans. It should influence the way we spend time, resources and money. It should lead us to a point of sacrifice, a willingness to give up our selfish ambition in order to gain a new life found in Jesus Christ. The answer to that question goes far beyond the mental ascent of belief and cuts to the heart of our life. I have proclaimed that Jesus Christ is Messiah, but has that answer impacted the core of my life? Does it impact everything I think, say, do... Had it impacted who I am?
On this occasion, Jesus asks the disciples two questions. The first question, "who do others say that I am?," is a safe one to answer. It's based on other people's opinions, beliefs and commitments. The answer to it has no bearing on the lives of the disciples. The second question, "who do you say that I am?," can be a dangerous one to answer. The obvious emphasis here is on you. The reason it is dangerous is because the answer has the potential to change the very nature of one's life. Peter boldly answers, "You are the Messiah, sent by God." One cannot give this answer without having his or her life radically altered. In the following verses (v. 23-27), Jesus tells his followers that they cannot be his follower without putting aside their selfish ambition. The proclamation that Jesus is Messiah leads one to a new life.
APPLICATION
Knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ is always a personal discovery. There is always an emphasis on "who do you say Jesus is?" And the answer can be dangerous to the way life is lived. The answer to this question impacts our understanding and interaction with the world. It should direct our decisions and plans. It should influence the way we spend time, resources and money. It should lead us to a point of sacrifice, a willingness to give up our selfish ambition in order to gain a new life found in Jesus Christ. The answer to that question goes far beyond the mental ascent of belief and cuts to the heart of our life. I have proclaimed that Jesus Christ is Messiah, but has that answer impacted the core of my life? Does it impact everything I think, say, do... Had it impacted who I am?
PRAYER
Jesus, help me to be willing to make sacrifices in my life, to give up my selfish desires, and pursue you wholly and fully.
Jesus, help me to be willing to make sacrifices in my life, to give up my selfish desires, and pursue you wholly and fully.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Boldness & Worship
SCRIPTURE
Luke 7:36-38
This story about the woman with the alabaster jar compels me to ask the following questions:
Luke 7:36-38
Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a women who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
OBSERVATION
OBSERVATION
What a spectacle this must have been. We have a woman breaking social rules and coming to a dinner that she wasn't invited to. And not just any woman, but a woman who had lived a sinful life going to the home of a religious leader. Many would consider this scandalous. She washes Jesus' feet using her tears and her hair. Her tears and her hair! And then she takes expensive perfume from an expensive jar and pours it on Jesus' feet. This is a extravagant, even ridiculous act. The woman ignores the ridicule and judgement of others. She is not concerned with the thoughts of others as she lavishly adores Jesus.
APPLICATION
APPLICATION
This story about the woman with the alabaster jar compels me to ask the following questions:
1. How much do I love Jesus?
2. How do I express my love for him?
I say that I love Jesus, but at the same time I don't believe I passionately express my love for Jesus. I allow social norms to get in my way. I wonder what people might think of me if I do something different or unexpected in the midst of worshiping Jesus. I need to be less self-conscious and focus more on adoring Jesus.
PRAYER
Father God, help me to step out in bold ways while worshipping Jesus.
Father God, help me to step out in bold ways while worshipping Jesus.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Digging Deeper
SCRIPTURE
Luke 6:46-49
“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”
OBSERVATION
Why would anyone build a house without a foundation? Possibly to save time end energy. Maybe to save money. Whatever the reason, it is foolish. The structure won't last. Any turmoil, large or small, will ruin the house. Building a foundation is difficult, costly and time consuming. It is hard work. However, there is great wisdom in having a deep, solid foundation. Jesus says that our lives are no different. He suggests that we stop simply calling him "Lord" and actually treat him as Lord. That means we do what he says. We hear his words and then actually putting them into practice recognizes who Jesus is.
APPLICATION
I need to put forth the work to build a solid foundation. It takes time, energy and disciple to develop a good foundation. A good foundation also requires one to dig deep into God's word. It is not easy, but it is wise. I need to create more disciple in my life to know God's word deeply. And then I need to develop the disciple to do what is says.
PRAYER
Thank you God for giving us Your Word. Thank you that we can learn from it and build our lives upon your wisdom. Help me to have the disciple to learn from your word regularly.
Luke 6:46-49
“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”
OBSERVATION
Why would anyone build a house without a foundation? Possibly to save time end energy. Maybe to save money. Whatever the reason, it is foolish. The structure won't last. Any turmoil, large or small, will ruin the house. Building a foundation is difficult, costly and time consuming. It is hard work. However, there is great wisdom in having a deep, solid foundation. Jesus says that our lives are no different. He suggests that we stop simply calling him "Lord" and actually treat him as Lord. That means we do what he says. We hear his words and then actually putting them into practice recognizes who Jesus is.
APPLICATION
I need to put forth the work to build a solid foundation. It takes time, energy and disciple to develop a good foundation. A good foundation also requires one to dig deep into God's word. It is not easy, but it is wise. I need to create more disciple in my life to know God's word deeply. And then I need to develop the disciple to do what is says.
PRAYER
Thank you God for giving us Your Word. Thank you that we can learn from it and build our lives upon your wisdom. Help me to have the disciple to learn from your word regularly.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Everyone is Included!
SCRIPTURE
Ezekiel 47:21-23
21 "You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22 You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who have settled among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. 23 In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him his inheritance," declares the Sovereign LORD.
OBSERVATION
It is clear that God wants to make a way for those who are not born into Israel, be a part of Israel's inheritance. This is clearly a foreshadowing of the incredible extension of God's love to the WHOLE WORLD when Jesus came. This is not the only place in the Old Testament, where the Israelites are reminded to include the foreigner who has decided to live among them. But what is most interesting here is that the foreigner is to be given a portion of the inheritance of the Israelites!
APPLICATION
God makes a way for all those who desire to be a part of His Kingdom! He also gives us our "fair share!" He includes us in the inheritance distributed to His children, because He considers us as His children! We are a part of His family and treated, not as half or step children but as whole sons and daughters without distinction. How awesome!
PRAYER
Thank you God for including us in the inheritance of your people! Thank you Jesus for making a way!
Ezekiel 47:21-23
21 "You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22 You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who have settled among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. 23 In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him his inheritance," declares the Sovereign LORD.
OBSERVATION
It is clear that God wants to make a way for those who are not born into Israel, be a part of Israel's inheritance. This is clearly a foreshadowing of the incredible extension of God's love to the WHOLE WORLD when Jesus came. This is not the only place in the Old Testament, where the Israelites are reminded to include the foreigner who has decided to live among them. But what is most interesting here is that the foreigner is to be given a portion of the inheritance of the Israelites!
APPLICATION
God makes a way for all those who desire to be a part of His Kingdom! He also gives us our "fair share!" He includes us in the inheritance distributed to His children, because He considers us as His children! We are a part of His family and treated, not as half or step children but as whole sons and daughters without distinction. How awesome!
PRAYER
Thank you God for including us in the inheritance of your people! Thank you Jesus for making a way!
Friday, September 12, 2008
SCRIPTURE
Boy! Today it was hard to narrow in on just one scripture. Daniel 3 &4 one of my favorites and Revelation too, but Psalm is one of my favorites so...Psalm 81 it is!
Psalm 81:11-14
"But my people would not listen to me; Isarel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. If my people would but listen to me if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!
OBSERVATION
Here it is again! God wants to move on Israels' behalf, they just won't listen! They're stubborn and trying out their own way...again! The win over their enemy could "come quickly" if they would just listen and follow God's way and not their own.
APPLICATION
Its so simple! Who doesn't want to win over the enemy in their life? And yet, I am just like the children of Israel! And if you're honest about it, so are you! All we have to do is give up our own stubborn ways and follow God's. All we have to do is just listen to Him! So often when we feel like we are loosing in some area of our life we think God is holding something back from us or we wonder why we continue to struggle over and over and over. It might just be the time to give up our own stubborn ways and follow His?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to listen and hear you! Help me to lay down my ways and take up yours. Help me to submit my stubborn heart to You! Show me your ways so that I may walk in them always! And Lord, this is also my prayer for my husband and my son and all those who know you! And as we do, I pray that those who do not yet know you are drawn to you because they see you at work in us!
Boy! Today it was hard to narrow in on just one scripture. Daniel 3 &4 one of my favorites and Revelation too, but Psalm is one of my favorites so...Psalm 81 it is!
Psalm 81:11-14
"But my people would not listen to me; Isarel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. If my people would but listen to me if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!
OBSERVATION
Here it is again! God wants to move on Israels' behalf, they just won't listen! They're stubborn and trying out their own way...again! The win over their enemy could "come quickly" if they would just listen and follow God's way and not their own.
APPLICATION
Its so simple! Who doesn't want to win over the enemy in their life? And yet, I am just like the children of Israel! And if you're honest about it, so are you! All we have to do is give up our own stubborn ways and follow God's. All we have to do is just listen to Him! So often when we feel like we are loosing in some area of our life we think God is holding something back from us or we wonder why we continue to struggle over and over and over. It might just be the time to give up our own stubborn ways and follow His?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to listen and hear you! Help me to lay down my ways and take up yours. Help me to submit my stubborn heart to You! Show me your ways so that I may walk in them always! And Lord, this is also my prayer for my husband and my son and all those who know you! And as we do, I pray that those who do not yet know you are drawn to you because they see you at work in us!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
This I call to mind
SCRIPTURE
Lamentations 3:21-23 and vs 40
21-23 "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
40 "Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord."
OBSERVATION
Lamentations is full of lamentations! The writer talks about being in darkness, despair, a broken body, bitterness, no escape, being dragged and mangled, left without help, a pierced heart, being a laughingstock, deprived of peace and the list goes on. All of these word pictures evoke a whirlwind of emotions that all of us can relate to on some level. but in verse 21 "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope." and here the writer calls to mind God's great love, that His compassions never fail and even more that they are new every morning! But in verse 40 we are called to do something and here it is "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord."
APPLICATION
God doesn't change! He is forever compassionate, He is faithful! and everday He is ready to face a new day with us. He is "good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;" But we have to examine ourselves, test our motives, heart, actions, choices and then we have to "return to the Lord." correct our course!
PRAYER
Lord, I have great hope whenever I think on who you are! Please put your light on my life when we examine me and test my ways and help me always to be easy and quick to return to you and your ways when I'm off, which is more often than I'd like to admit.
Lamentations 3:21-23 and vs 40
21-23 "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
40 "Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord."
OBSERVATION
Lamentations is full of lamentations! The writer talks about being in darkness, despair, a broken body, bitterness, no escape, being dragged and mangled, left without help, a pierced heart, being a laughingstock, deprived of peace and the list goes on. All of these word pictures evoke a whirlwind of emotions that all of us can relate to on some level. but in verse 21 "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope." and here the writer calls to mind God's great love, that His compassions never fail and even more that they are new every morning! But in verse 40 we are called to do something and here it is "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord."
APPLICATION
God doesn't change! He is forever compassionate, He is faithful! and everday He is ready to face a new day with us. He is "good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;" But we have to examine ourselves, test our motives, heart, actions, choices and then we have to "return to the Lord." correct our course!
PRAYER
Lord, I have great hope whenever I think on who you are! Please put your light on my life when we examine me and test my ways and help me always to be easy and quick to return to you and your ways when I'm off, which is more often than I'd like to admit.
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