SCRIPTURE
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever- Do not abandon the works of your hands. (Ps. 138:8)
OBSERVATION
Here, in chapter 138, David is reflecting on the goodness, faithfulness, and love of the Lord. It's interesting to see how in verse 8, David knows that the Lord will fulfill his purpose for David's life, yet his ending request is for the Lord not to abandon the works of his hands!
APPLICATION
I feel like this sometimes. I know what the Lord can do and I know what the Lord has said that he would do. Instead of continuing to pray for something that he's already said that he would do, I need to continue to rest in the assurance that he will do it, and in prayer, give thanks for whatever it is that he said that he would do instead of repeatedly requesting the same thing! It's like the father who was asking Jesus for healing for his son who was being tormented by a Demon (Mark 9). Jesus said everything is possible for those who believe. The father responds, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.
PRAYER
Father, help me overcome my unbelief! I do know that you are able to do all things, and that your purposes will be fulfilled in my life. Help me to rest in that assurance and trust in you fully.
Amen
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Welcome all ye Sinners!
SCRIPTURE
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
OBSERVATION
This scripture is awesome! The Pharisees were so "high and mighty" that they would not even allow themselves to associate with "sinners" and here, Jesus welcomes them!
APPLICATION
This is huge, not only personally, but on a corporate level. This is how we should be as a church! I don't want to be worrying about how many ex-cons, drug addicts, etc. are walking through the doors of the church! I want to be a person, who welcomes sinners just as Christ did! After all, no one is immune to sin!
PRAYER
Father, help me to be more open to accept people who might otherwise not be accepted! I want to learn from Christ's example!
Amen
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
OBSERVATION
This scripture is awesome! The Pharisees were so "high and mighty" that they would not even allow themselves to associate with "sinners" and here, Jesus welcomes them!
APPLICATION
This is huge, not only personally, but on a corporate level. This is how we should be as a church! I don't want to be worrying about how many ex-cons, drug addicts, etc. are walking through the doors of the church! I want to be a person, who welcomes sinners just as Christ did! After all, no one is immune to sin!
PRAYER
Father, help me to be more open to accept people who might otherwise not be accepted! I want to learn from Christ's example!
Amen
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Seasoning Salt
SCRIPTURE
"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Lk. 14:34)
OBSERVATION
Jesus makes reference to salt in this passage, likely because it hit home to his listeners. Salt was very important to everyday life in that culture. It was used to enhance flavor and likely as a cure or preservative. Christ calls us to be the salt of the earth! We are to enhance the earth, preserve it's population.
APPLICATION
Being the salt of the earth is no easy task. We must first of all, be sure to keep our relationship with Christ, a strong one, and have regular "Koinonia" with other salty people. When we separate ourselves from other salt, or the source, our saltiness will begin to fade. Our priority should be our relationship with Christ. Stay close to the source and we'll be able to continually season the world with the love of Christ and in turn, one soul at a time, preserve the world!
PRAYER
Father, help me to ensure that I never lose saltiness! I want to do your will and be salt to this earth.
Amen
"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Lk. 14:34)
OBSERVATION
Jesus makes reference to salt in this passage, likely because it hit home to his listeners. Salt was very important to everyday life in that culture. It was used to enhance flavor and likely as a cure or preservative. Christ calls us to be the salt of the earth! We are to enhance the earth, preserve it's population.
APPLICATION
Being the salt of the earth is no easy task. We must first of all, be sure to keep our relationship with Christ, a strong one, and have regular "Koinonia" with other salty people. When we separate ourselves from other salt, or the source, our saltiness will begin to fade. Our priority should be our relationship with Christ. Stay close to the source and we'll be able to continually season the world with the love of Christ and in turn, one soul at a time, preserve the world!
PRAYER
Father, help me to ensure that I never lose saltiness! I want to do your will and be salt to this earth.
Amen
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
What's Your Motive?
SCRIPTURE
Ask all the people of the land and the priests, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? Zechariah 7:5
OBSERVATION
God was giving a motive check here. What was the true purpose for their fast? Were they fasting unto the Lord, or were they fasting out of obligation, religion?
APPLICATION
This scripture is significant as we're in the midst of our 40 days of fasting, Fasting for Breakthrough. This scripture has made me to check my motives. What is the reason for my fast? Is it because it's a church wide fast? Honestly, the length of my fast is likely due to the 40 day corporate fast, but the reason...Personal Breakthrough, Corporate Breakthrough, etc. It's not out of obligation or a religious thing, but rather something that God has called me to do for this specific time.
PRAYER
Father, help me to continually check my motives. Whatever I do, I want to do unto you and not because of some sense of obligation. I pray for real breakthrough to happen over the remainder of these 40 days.
Amen
Ask all the people of the land and the priests, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? Zechariah 7:5
OBSERVATION
God was giving a motive check here. What was the true purpose for their fast? Were they fasting unto the Lord, or were they fasting out of obligation, religion?
APPLICATION
This scripture is significant as we're in the midst of our 40 days of fasting, Fasting for Breakthrough. This scripture has made me to check my motives. What is the reason for my fast? Is it because it's a church wide fast? Honestly, the length of my fast is likely due to the 40 day corporate fast, but the reason...Personal Breakthrough, Corporate Breakthrough, etc. It's not out of obligation or a religious thing, but rather something that God has called me to do for this specific time.
PRAYER
Father, help me to continually check my motives. Whatever I do, I want to do unto you and not because of some sense of obligation. I pray for real breakthrough to happen over the remainder of these 40 days.
Amen
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Life on the Inside
SCRIPTURE
Luke 11:39-41
Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you."
OBSERVATION
The Pharisees went to great lengths to externally demonstrate that they were spiritual. They were concerned about what was seen by others on the outside. However, Jesus could see through their masks and knew that they were full of greed and wickedness. Jesus called them foolish for their unconcern over the spiritual nature of their inner heart.
APPLICATION
How often do I focus on what others see? How often do I judge my spirituality by what I do externally? If I listen to the words of Jesus, I need to focus on the inner life of my soul. My thoughts, inner attitudes and emotions can serve as a barometer to my true spiritual maturity.
PRAYER
Father, cleanse me from the inside. Renew my mind, my heart, my soul. Help me to not try to impress others, but to live my life in dedication and devotion to you.
Luke 11:39-41
Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you."
OBSERVATION
The Pharisees went to great lengths to externally demonstrate that they were spiritual. They were concerned about what was seen by others on the outside. However, Jesus could see through their masks and knew that they were full of greed and wickedness. Jesus called them foolish for their unconcern over the spiritual nature of their inner heart.
APPLICATION
How often do I focus on what others see? How often do I judge my spirituality by what I do externally? If I listen to the words of Jesus, I need to focus on the inner life of my soul. My thoughts, inner attitudes and emotions can serve as a barometer to my true spiritual maturity.
PRAYER
Father, cleanse me from the inside. Renew my mind, my heart, my soul. Help me to not try to impress others, but to live my life in dedication and devotion to you.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The One Thing Needed
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
