Devotions
Reading
NLT 1 Corinthians 11:23 For this is what the Lord himself said, and I pass it on to you just as I received it. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it." 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again.
Meditation:
Literal: Paul was rebuking the believers in Corinth because the love feasts at which their celebration of communion took place had become very much like a pagan party. People were getting drunk and the rich had nothing to do with the poor. The ugliness of pagan life had been “baptized” and now was part of their worship services.
Paul now reminds them of the simplicity and sincerity that should be part of our keeping the Lord’s supper by taking them back to the words of Jesus himself on that night. On a night of betrayal He gave thanks. Facing His own sacrifice for sins. He worshiped at the Passover meal.
The bread is my body – remember my incarnation and physical suffering. The cup is represents the shedding of my blood – remember my spiritual suffering. It is this maximum suffering that has brought you into union and communion with God. Every spiritual blessing we have has been given to us as a gift from Jesus the Christ. It is this faith that must endure until He comes again. Therefore, remember His love and sacrifice, and be filled with joy and gratitude.
In this vision of our Lord, suffering for us and risen again we can then escape from the insanity of our pagan culture just as the Corinthians were being asked to remember the real meaning of the Lord’s supper so that they could be free from the ways of their pagan culture. May the Lord grant us such a vision as we take the Lord’s supper.
Christocentric: The Lord’s supper makes it clear. All of our salvation depends on Jesus alone. He is the one who has given us a covenant with God. His blood has reconciled us. He alone is our Savior. He wants us to remember the wonder of His sacrifice and the reality of His return.
Moral: Turn from the ways and thinking of the world. Do not just “baptize” the world and bring its principles and spirit into the church. Seek to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and make this the center of all you live.
Eternal: The Lord ’s Supper is only the beginning of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb where we will eat of heavenly manna and know face to face communion with Jesus our Lord. Come quickly Lord Jesus!
Prayer: Help me take your supper in a worthy way. Give me the faith today to remember you. Help your people remember you. Give us a fresh vision of you today.
Contemplation: Remember me!
Action: Lord, help me remember your love every day this week and in every relationship.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Matthew 16 - The Darkness will lose!
Devotions
Reading: NLT Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." 15 Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Meditation
When Herod the Great died in 4 B.C., his kingdom was divided, with his son Archelaeus inheriting Judea and Samaria, Herod Antipas receiving Galilee and Perea (Transjordan), and Philip taking over Gaulanitis, the territory on the Golan, east of the Jordan River and north of the Sea of Galilee. Following the example of his father, Philip built the first city at Panias, naming it Caesarea Philippi to honor the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus and to distinguish it from Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean coast.
Caesarea Philippi became a center of Greek-Roman culture, a city known for its pagan worship, its prestigious status as the capital city of Herod Philip’s domain, and its significant Gentile population. References to "the district of Caesarea Philippi" (Matt 16:13) and "the villages of Caesarea Philippi" (Mark 8:27) reflect the city’s status as the power center of Philip’s territory.
These factors, together with the sheer rock cliff at the worship site, made this an ideal place for Jesus to make His historic announcements. Peter’s declaration, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God," challenged the gods in the niches of the cliff and their devotees who worshiped these gods as though they actually existed. I was impressed when I was in Israel that it was here that Jesus declared that the “gates of hell” would not prevail against His church.
If Jesus were standing with His disciples in front of this sheer cliff, it would explain His use of the metaphor "rock" used in His conversation with Peter. The word He used was petra, a term that would be used to describe such a bluff. (Cf. Matt 7:24,25, ". . .who built his house upon the rock petra.") It was Jesus’ practice to teach in metaphors and parables that related to the physical context in which He was ministering, for example, "fishers of men" and "a sower went out to sow" spoken on the shore of the Sea of Galilee where fishing and sowing could readily be observed. It is likely, therefore, that on this occasion, as they stood before this rock bluff, Jesus’ choice of the metaphor, petra, reflected this practice.[1]
What is this passage teaching. First that there will be many view of concerning the identity of Jesus. Perhaps a prophet, a resurrected spirit from another time, or the second coming of Elijah. We should not be surprised when people try to make Jesus fit into their world views.
Second, that the true understanding of Jesus is that He is the promised Messiah, the anointed prophet, priest, and king and promised divine Son of God found in Psalm 2 who is worshipped by the kings of the earth. Only when we see Jesus in this light do we really understand Him.
The third teaching is that this true understanding of Jesus comes only thru divine revelation. It is the Father who must reveal this to us thru the work of the Holy Spirit in our heart. We cannot see this without divine help.
The fourth teaching is that Peter’s profession of faith will be used like a rock catapulted against the walls of a fortress and smash the “gates of hell” and lay the foundation for Christ’s Church. We see this as Peter is used to preach the gospel to the Jews, the Samaritans, and the Gentiles.
The fifth teaching is that Christ has promised His Church that they will be victorious in their struggle with unbelief in the world. The commission to make disciples of all nations will be a success. The Church is asked to minister in a very optimistic attitude.
We should be encouraged by this passage to see Jesus as the true Messiah, thank God for being able to see Him in that light, and have courage to press on in discipling the nations due to the promise of ultimate success.
Christocentric: This who passage screams at us that Jesus is the promised Messiah and assures us that though His coming did not bring in world peace and harmony as expected that the real plan of discipling the nations and overcoming the spiritual strong holds of the enemy is being accomplished. The first step towards world peace and harmony is to build the Church.
Moral: Have faith in Christ and in His plan!
Eternal: In eternity we will fully understand the greatness of how Christ planned to build His Church and overcome spiritual strongholds through the preaching of the gospel. We will see the grand design and be awed and inspired by the Wisdom of our God.
Prayer: Lord, let me see you more clearly, that I might love you more dearly, and follow you more dearly this day.
Contemplation: Take courage: I have won!
Action: What can I do to join the Christ in building His Church? Do it now!
[1] http://www.ancientsandals.com/overviews/caesarea_philippi.htm
Reading: NLT Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." 15 Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Meditation
When Herod the Great died in 4 B.C., his kingdom was divided, with his son Archelaeus inheriting Judea and Samaria, Herod Antipas receiving Galilee and Perea (Transjordan), and Philip taking over Gaulanitis, the territory on the Golan, east of the Jordan River and north of the Sea of Galilee. Following the example of his father, Philip built the first city at Panias, naming it Caesarea Philippi to honor the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus and to distinguish it from Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean coast.
Caesarea Philippi became a center of Greek-Roman culture, a city known for its pagan worship, its prestigious status as the capital city of Herod Philip’s domain, and its significant Gentile population. References to "the district of Caesarea Philippi" (Matt 16:13) and "the villages of Caesarea Philippi" (Mark 8:27) reflect the city’s status as the power center of Philip’s territory.
These factors, together with the sheer rock cliff at the worship site, made this an ideal place for Jesus to make His historic announcements. Peter’s declaration, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God," challenged the gods in the niches of the cliff and their devotees who worshiped these gods as though they actually existed. I was impressed when I was in Israel that it was here that Jesus declared that the “gates of hell” would not prevail against His church.
If Jesus were standing with His disciples in front of this sheer cliff, it would explain His use of the metaphor "rock" used in His conversation with Peter. The word He used was petra, a term that would be used to describe such a bluff. (Cf. Matt 7:24,25, ". . .who built his house upon the rock petra.") It was Jesus’ practice to teach in metaphors and parables that related to the physical context in which He was ministering, for example, "fishers of men" and "a sower went out to sow" spoken on the shore of the Sea of Galilee where fishing and sowing could readily be observed. It is likely, therefore, that on this occasion, as they stood before this rock bluff, Jesus’ choice of the metaphor, petra, reflected this practice.[1]
What is this passage teaching. First that there will be many view of concerning the identity of Jesus. Perhaps a prophet, a resurrected spirit from another time, or the second coming of Elijah. We should not be surprised when people try to make Jesus fit into their world views.
Second, that the true understanding of Jesus is that He is the promised Messiah, the anointed prophet, priest, and king and promised divine Son of God found in Psalm 2 who is worshipped by the kings of the earth. Only when we see Jesus in this light do we really understand Him.
The third teaching is that this true understanding of Jesus comes only thru divine revelation. It is the Father who must reveal this to us thru the work of the Holy Spirit in our heart. We cannot see this without divine help.
The fourth teaching is that Peter’s profession of faith will be used like a rock catapulted against the walls of a fortress and smash the “gates of hell” and lay the foundation for Christ’s Church. We see this as Peter is used to preach the gospel to the Jews, the Samaritans, and the Gentiles.
The fifth teaching is that Christ has promised His Church that they will be victorious in their struggle with unbelief in the world. The commission to make disciples of all nations will be a success. The Church is asked to minister in a very optimistic attitude.
We should be encouraged by this passage to see Jesus as the true Messiah, thank God for being able to see Him in that light, and have courage to press on in discipling the nations due to the promise of ultimate success.
Christocentric: This who passage screams at us that Jesus is the promised Messiah and assures us that though His coming did not bring in world peace and harmony as expected that the real plan of discipling the nations and overcoming the spiritual strong holds of the enemy is being accomplished. The first step towards world peace and harmony is to build the Church.
Moral: Have faith in Christ and in His plan!
Eternal: In eternity we will fully understand the greatness of how Christ planned to build His Church and overcome spiritual strongholds through the preaching of the gospel. We will see the grand design and be awed and inspired by the Wisdom of our God.
Prayer: Lord, let me see you more clearly, that I might love you more dearly, and follow you more dearly this day.
Contemplation: Take courage: I have won!
Action: What can I do to join the Christ in building His Church? Do it now!
[1] http://www.ancientsandals.com/overviews/caesarea_philippi.htm
Friday, August 29, 2008
Psalm 138 - You give me strength and give me success!
Devotions
Reading: NLT Psalm 138:1 A psalm of David. I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. 2 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. 3 When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. 4 Every king in all the earth will give you thanks, O LORD, for all of them will hear your words. 5 Yes, they will sing about the LORD's ways, for the glory of the LORD is very great. 6 Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. 7 Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will preserve me against the anger of my enemies. You will clench your fist against my angry enemies! Your power will save me. 8 The LORD will work out his plans for my life-- for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.
Meditation
Literal
Verse 1. The false gods were the gods of other countries, like Babylon and Assyria. These “gods” could also be the pagan political rulers who claimed many times to be gods or sons of gods. "*Praises" are words that say how great somebody is. So the psalmist is saying that in the presence of idols that the pagans depend to give them power and the great men who claim to be walking demi-gods, he will sing the greatness of The LORD.
In these circumstances the *psalmist writes about the *LORD. The *LORD is a special name for God. It is the "*covenant" name for God. A *covenant is when there is a promise given between two people. This promise can be conditional or unconditional. The LORD has unconditionally promised to love and give help to the people He has chosen. "With all my *heart" is a Hebrew (and English) way to say, "as well as I possibly can".
Verse 2. "Your name" means more than just "God" or "*LORD". It means everything that God is. The "unfailing and faithful love" is a special Bible word. It means the love that God has for his people:
· will never finish;
· will always send help.
These promises are fully guaranteed by God. He will keep His word.
Verse 3. God gave David strength. This is what David would write. Often, when he wanted help, he prayed to the *LORD. The *LORD always answered him. Not by keeping him from having problems but by giving him the strength to get through the problem. David knew that this strength to endure was not his strength but the LORD’s strength given him.
Verses 4 and 5. The day is coming when every leader of every land will hear the word of the LORD. They:
· thanked him (verse 4); and
· sang about it (verse 5).
God has *glory because he is infinite in greatness both in character and in deeds. He is very, very great. So spiritually speaking the greatness and wonder of the LORD shines as the sun shines! That is what "*glory" means.
Verse 6. This is about two groups of people. One group is people that need help. God is high above us in eternity. But he can still see who needs help. He also sees the *proud people. These people think that they are so good that they do not need help and reject God’s word concerning their need.
Verse 7. "The right hand of God" is a Hebrew way to say "what God does on the earth". We could translate it, "by the power of God". God will ultimately protect us from our enemies and give us victory over the satanic forces of darkness. The pagan kings and their gods will not have the ultimate victory in my life. This belongs to the LORD.
Verse 8. This great LORD will accomplish His plan for my life. He will cause every one of his people to know true eternal success.
--------------------------------------------------
Christocentric Perspective – Christ is the fulfilment of all the promises of God. It is through Him that the ultimate enemy Satan has been defeated. His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection has brought the power of God into history through the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Church. The great commission will take the message of Christ and disciple every nation. The gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s church and the His purpose for us will be totally fulfilled.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moral Perspective - I should trust in and give praise for the faithful love of the LORD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eternal: In the eternal kingdom we will dwell before the Lord and see His Glory face to face. We will be filled with thankfulness and see every enemy of our soul totally crushed and powerless. We will give praise to the LORD out of the fullness of our heart and with every atom of our being. This intense and total worship will fulfil us more than anything else we have ever experienced. This is our ultimate destiny as believers in Jesus Christ.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prayer: Lord let me see your greatness, express wonder and praise for your greatness, and give to me the strength I need to get through all the struggles I face today. Let me know this is your strength and not mine.
---------------------------------------------------
Contemplation: In Christ is the victory!
---------------------------------------------------
Action: I will not fear what I read in the paper about politics but I will rejoice in the promises of God to me in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reading: NLT Psalm 138:1 A psalm of David. I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. 2 I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. 3 When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. 4 Every king in all the earth will give you thanks, O LORD, for all of them will hear your words. 5 Yes, they will sing about the LORD's ways, for the glory of the LORD is very great. 6 Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. 7 Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will preserve me against the anger of my enemies. You will clench your fist against my angry enemies! Your power will save me. 8 The LORD will work out his plans for my life-- for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.
Meditation
Literal
Verse 1. The false gods were the gods of other countries, like Babylon and Assyria. These “gods” could also be the pagan political rulers who claimed many times to be gods or sons of gods. "*Praises" are words that say how great somebody is. So the psalmist is saying that in the presence of idols that the pagans depend to give them power and the great men who claim to be walking demi-gods, he will sing the greatness of The LORD.
In these circumstances the *psalmist writes about the *LORD. The *LORD is a special name for God. It is the "*covenant" name for God. A *covenant is when there is a promise given between two people. This promise can be conditional or unconditional. The LORD has unconditionally promised to love and give help to the people He has chosen. "With all my *heart" is a Hebrew (and English) way to say, "as well as I possibly can".
Verse 2. "Your name" means more than just "God" or "*LORD". It means everything that God is. The "unfailing and faithful love" is a special Bible word. It means the love that God has for his people:
· will never finish;
· will always send help.
These promises are fully guaranteed by God. He will keep His word.
Verse 3. God gave David strength. This is what David would write. Often, when he wanted help, he prayed to the *LORD. The *LORD always answered him. Not by keeping him from having problems but by giving him the strength to get through the problem. David knew that this strength to endure was not his strength but the LORD’s strength given him.
Verses 4 and 5. The day is coming when every leader of every land will hear the word of the LORD. They:
· thanked him (verse 4); and
· sang about it (verse 5).
God has *glory because he is infinite in greatness both in character and in deeds. He is very, very great. So spiritually speaking the greatness and wonder of the LORD shines as the sun shines! That is what "*glory" means.
Verse 6. This is about two groups of people. One group is people that need help. God is high above us in eternity. But he can still see who needs help. He also sees the *proud people. These people think that they are so good that they do not need help and reject God’s word concerning their need.
Verse 7. "The right hand of God" is a Hebrew way to say "what God does on the earth". We could translate it, "by the power of God". God will ultimately protect us from our enemies and give us victory over the satanic forces of darkness. The pagan kings and their gods will not have the ultimate victory in my life. This belongs to the LORD.
Verse 8. This great LORD will accomplish His plan for my life. He will cause every one of his people to know true eternal success.
--------------------------------------------------
Christocentric Perspective – Christ is the fulfilment of all the promises of God. It is through Him that the ultimate enemy Satan has been defeated. His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection has brought the power of God into history through the Holy Spirit in the lives of the Church. The great commission will take the message of Christ and disciple every nation. The gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s church and the His purpose for us will be totally fulfilled.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moral Perspective - I should trust in and give praise for the faithful love of the LORD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eternal: In the eternal kingdom we will dwell before the Lord and see His Glory face to face. We will be filled with thankfulness and see every enemy of our soul totally crushed and powerless. We will give praise to the LORD out of the fullness of our heart and with every atom of our being. This intense and total worship will fulfil us more than anything else we have ever experienced. This is our ultimate destiny as believers in Jesus Christ.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prayer: Lord let me see your greatness, express wonder and praise for your greatness, and give to me the strength I need to get through all the struggles I face today. Let me know this is your strength and not mine.
---------------------------------------------------
Contemplation: In Christ is the victory!
---------------------------------------------------
Action: I will not fear what I read in the paper about politics but I will rejoice in the promises of God to me in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Isaiah 51 - Hope in the middle of trouble
Reading
NLT Isaiah 51:1 "Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance-- all who seek the LORD! Consider the quarry from which you were mined, the rock from which you were cut! 2 Yes, think about your ancestors Abraham and Sarah, from whom you came. Abraham was alone when I called him. But when I blessed him, he became a great nation." 3 The LORD will comfort Israel again and make her deserts blossom. Her barren wilderness will become as beautiful as Eden-- the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found there. Lovely songs of thanksgiving will fill the air. 4 "Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. 5 My mercy and justice are coming soon. Your salvation is on the way. I will rule the nations. They will wait for me and long for my power. 6 Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth beneath. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end!
Meditation:
Literal Interpretation:
This was written to give Israel hope of a future redemption even though in the present they were faced with devastation and judgment because of their sins. The LORD is assuring his people that the promises given to Abraham that his descendents would be inherit the world would yet be kept. The Kingdom of God will be established and fill the earth.
This passage breaks into the following parts
I. Listen and Consider (1)
II. Abraham began without hope of family and ended up with a great nation (2)
III. Therefore: Israel who now seems without hope with become great again (3)
IV. Listen & Hear – (4a)
V. I will bless all nations thru Abraham’s children (4b)
VI. The Kingdom of God is coming soon! (5)
VII. Look! Creation will wear out but my Kingdom will never end! (6)
The point God is making is this. Prophecy has a practical purpose. To keep us from getting discouraged or defeated! Rough times come but God’s purposes cannot fail! You and I are part of something huge. We are part of the LORD’s kingdom which cannot fail will never end! Remember you are part of the kingdom that cannot be defeated! Use that to help you have courage to face the battles of today!
Christocentric perspective: This passage is soaked in promises of the Messiah and the extension of the gospel throughout the world. Christ is the fulfillment of all the promises given to Abraham (Romans 4). The word for “law” here can also be translated “teaching” and could easily refer to the spread of the gospel to all nations. Clearly, the purpose of the LORD was to bless all nations thru Jesus even in the Old Testament. The fact that such bold affirmation of the great commission was proclaimed in Isaiah’s day should give us confidence of the reality of all that Christ Jesus claims to be! It also tells us the importance of seeking to fulfill the great commission in our lives today!
Moral perspective: This passage would tell us to “Listen, Consider, Hear, and Look” at the promises of God found in the gospel. We are to fight the discouragement we feel when trouble and trial come by focusing on the good news of God assurances that evil, error, abuse, and attacks will not be the final word of human history. We are to find courage to live a faithful life by reminding ourselves that God is faithful!
Eternal perspective: This passage gives us a vision of a perfect kingdom of justice, order, paradise, Eden, prosperity, joy, happiness, lovely songs, and thanksgiving. This is our future and destiny because Christ has died for our sins. A perfect kingdom of peace, righteousness, and joy! The struggles of this life will seem small in light of the glory found in this final and eternal kingdom of the LORD.
Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, may your name be glorified! Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! LORD, encourage my heart today by reminding me of your kingdom promises!
Contemplation: Come unto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest!
Action: Preach the gospel to myself today! Seek to preach the gospel to others today! Seek to know joy in the gospel today!
NLT Isaiah 51:1 "Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance-- all who seek the LORD! Consider the quarry from which you were mined, the rock from which you were cut! 2 Yes, think about your ancestors Abraham and Sarah, from whom you came. Abraham was alone when I called him. But when I blessed him, he became a great nation." 3 The LORD will comfort Israel again and make her deserts blossom. Her barren wilderness will become as beautiful as Eden-- the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found there. Lovely songs of thanksgiving will fill the air. 4 "Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. 5 My mercy and justice are coming soon. Your salvation is on the way. I will rule the nations. They will wait for me and long for my power. 6 Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth beneath. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end!
Meditation:
Literal Interpretation:
This was written to give Israel hope of a future redemption even though in the present they were faced with devastation and judgment because of their sins. The LORD is assuring his people that the promises given to Abraham that his descendents would be inherit the world would yet be kept. The Kingdom of God will be established and fill the earth.
This passage breaks into the following parts
I. Listen and Consider (1)
II. Abraham began without hope of family and ended up with a great nation (2)
III. Therefore: Israel who now seems without hope with become great again (3)
IV. Listen & Hear – (4a)
V. I will bless all nations thru Abraham’s children (4b)
VI. The Kingdom of God is coming soon! (5)
VII. Look! Creation will wear out but my Kingdom will never end! (6)
The point God is making is this. Prophecy has a practical purpose. To keep us from getting discouraged or defeated! Rough times come but God’s purposes cannot fail! You and I are part of something huge. We are part of the LORD’s kingdom which cannot fail will never end! Remember you are part of the kingdom that cannot be defeated! Use that to help you have courage to face the battles of today!
Christocentric perspective: This passage is soaked in promises of the Messiah and the extension of the gospel throughout the world. Christ is the fulfillment of all the promises given to Abraham (Romans 4). The word for “law” here can also be translated “teaching” and could easily refer to the spread of the gospel to all nations. Clearly, the purpose of the LORD was to bless all nations thru Jesus even in the Old Testament. The fact that such bold affirmation of the great commission was proclaimed in Isaiah’s day should give us confidence of the reality of all that Christ Jesus claims to be! It also tells us the importance of seeking to fulfill the great commission in our lives today!
Moral perspective: This passage would tell us to “Listen, Consider, Hear, and Look” at the promises of God found in the gospel. We are to fight the discouragement we feel when trouble and trial come by focusing on the good news of God assurances that evil, error, abuse, and attacks will not be the final word of human history. We are to find courage to live a faithful life by reminding ourselves that God is faithful!
Eternal perspective: This passage gives us a vision of a perfect kingdom of justice, order, paradise, Eden, prosperity, joy, happiness, lovely songs, and thanksgiving. This is our future and destiny because Christ has died for our sins. A perfect kingdom of peace, righteousness, and joy! The struggles of this life will seem small in light of the glory found in this final and eternal kingdom of the LORD.
Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, may your name be glorified! Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! LORD, encourage my heart today by reminding me of your kingdom promises!
Contemplation: Come unto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest!
Action: Preach the gospel to myself today! Seek to preach the gospel to others today! Seek to know joy in the gospel today!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Psalm 124 - The LORD has saved us!
Devotions
Reading: NLT Psalm 124:1 A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. If the LORD had not been on our side-- let Israel now say-- 2 if the LORD had not been on our side when people rose up against us, 3 they would have swallowed us alive because of their burning anger against us. 4 The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. 5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives. 6 Blessed be the LORD, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! 7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! 8 Our help is from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth.
NLT Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
--------------------------------------
Meditation:
Literal: The psalm breaks into three sections
I. Call for Faithful Confession of the LORD (1-2)
II. How we would have been without the LORD (3-5)
III. Blessing to the LORD for deliverance (6-8)
This song was one that Israel sang as they gathered for their three annual feasts in Jerusalem. It was originally created perhaps by King David motivated by seeing the nation escape some great political danger which outcome seemed certain national disaster. The focus of the Psalm is on what would had been had not the LORD intervened and how thankful we should be because the LORD has intervened.
Many times the greatness of what the LORD has done can only be seen in light of how things would had been without His rising up to save us. In this case the Psalm reflects on this deliverance as being saved from drowning in a burning sea of the enemy’s unrestrained anger. Unless the LORD had acted then we would have burned the fire of our enemies rage. In this image we are in danger of being sunk in the chaos of the abuse, harm, torture, and even death of our enemies. This is due to passionate desire that hates our very being. This anger is because we are “Israel” the people of God and those who have been set aside to the covenant of grace.
The other image is that of being eaten by a wild animal or captured by a hunter. Here we are the prey of a predator. Helpless as a bird caught in a trap. Our deliverance is not due to some great power or strength within us. No the LORD has come breaking the trap and taking us from the jaws of death so that we might be free.
The image of drowning in the waging sea represents being engulfed in the restless masses of unruly, unbelieving, pagan, and lawless human society and culture.
"The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." Isaiah 57:20
"The abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee." Isaiah 60:5
The image of a beast devouring the people of God represents political power directed by Satan to destroy God’s people.
NLT 1 Peter 5:8 Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.
NLT Revelation 11:7 When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them. He will conquer them and kill them.
NAS Revelation 13:1 And he stood on the sand of the seashore. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names.
The Psalmist rejoices that the one who made heaven and earth is more than able to save us from our enemies, both spiritual and physical. The people of God survive not because of their great power but because of the Lord’s great works of salvation. For this reason we should give to the LORD blessing and praise.
Chrstocentric perspective: Here we only have to return Genesis 3:15 where the original promise of deliverance is found. Who will deliver us from the rage of the unbelieving world system directed by the devil? The answer is that the LORD will work his deliverance for us through His anointed one. The seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent and set us free of the trap of sin and rebellion in which we have been caught.
Moral perspective : Great deliverance demands great praise. To be the objects of a great salvation and fail to give heart felt worship to the LORD out of gratitude is a great blasphemy. Let us seek to worship and praise out of pure and thankful hearts.
Eternal perspective: The eternal worship of God’s people will be in the light of their fully seeing and perceiving before the throne of God the truly great peril they were in and the great lengths the LORD went to in order to make sure they arrived to the kingdom of God safe and sound. The main emotions of heaven will be gratitude and joy which will spontaneously bring forth praise for all that our LORD Jesus Chris has done to save us.
------------------------------
Prayer: I praise you LORD for dying on the cross to save me from the power of the enemy of my soul. I bless you LORD for I was helpless and lost, and you found me and embraced me in your love. I have no hope but you.
--------------------------------------
Contemplation: I, the LORD, am your hero that delivers you!
------------------------------------
Action: I will seek to focus on what my life would have been like if Jesus the Christ has not saved me. Where would I be without Jesus? Then in light of all that He has given me by dying for my sins and coming to me in His resurrection, I will open my heart to gratitude, worship, service, and praise.
Reading: NLT Psalm 124:1 A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. If the LORD had not been on our side-- let Israel now say-- 2 if the LORD had not been on our side when people rose up against us, 3 they would have swallowed us alive because of their burning anger against us. 4 The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. 5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives. 6 Blessed be the LORD, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! 7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! 8 Our help is from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth.
NLT Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
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Meditation:
Literal: The psalm breaks into three sections
I. Call for Faithful Confession of the LORD (1-2)
II. How we would have been without the LORD (3-5)
III. Blessing to the LORD for deliverance (6-8)
This song was one that Israel sang as they gathered for their three annual feasts in Jerusalem. It was originally created perhaps by King David motivated by seeing the nation escape some great political danger which outcome seemed certain national disaster. The focus of the Psalm is on what would had been had not the LORD intervened and how thankful we should be because the LORD has intervened.
Many times the greatness of what the LORD has done can only be seen in light of how things would had been without His rising up to save us. In this case the Psalm reflects on this deliverance as being saved from drowning in a burning sea of the enemy’s unrestrained anger. Unless the LORD had acted then we would have burned the fire of our enemies rage. In this image we are in danger of being sunk in the chaos of the abuse, harm, torture, and even death of our enemies. This is due to passionate desire that hates our very being. This anger is because we are “Israel” the people of God and those who have been set aside to the covenant of grace.
The other image is that of being eaten by a wild animal or captured by a hunter. Here we are the prey of a predator. Helpless as a bird caught in a trap. Our deliverance is not due to some great power or strength within us. No the LORD has come breaking the trap and taking us from the jaws of death so that we might be free.
The image of drowning in the waging sea represents being engulfed in the restless masses of unruly, unbelieving, pagan, and lawless human society and culture.
"The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." Isaiah 57:20
"The abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee." Isaiah 60:5
The image of a beast devouring the people of God represents political power directed by Satan to destroy God’s people.
NLT 1 Peter 5:8 Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.
NLT Revelation 11:7 When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them. He will conquer them and kill them.
NAS Revelation 13:1 And he stood on the sand of the seashore. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names.
The Psalmist rejoices that the one who made heaven and earth is more than able to save us from our enemies, both spiritual and physical. The people of God survive not because of their great power but because of the Lord’s great works of salvation. For this reason we should give to the LORD blessing and praise.
Chrstocentric perspective: Here we only have to return Genesis 3:15 where the original promise of deliverance is found. Who will deliver us from the rage of the unbelieving world system directed by the devil? The answer is that the LORD will work his deliverance for us through His anointed one. The seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent and set us free of the trap of sin and rebellion in which we have been caught.
Moral perspective : Great deliverance demands great praise. To be the objects of a great salvation and fail to give heart felt worship to the LORD out of gratitude is a great blasphemy. Let us seek to worship and praise out of pure and thankful hearts.
Eternal perspective: The eternal worship of God’s people will be in the light of their fully seeing and perceiving before the throne of God the truly great peril they were in and the great lengths the LORD went to in order to make sure they arrived to the kingdom of God safe and sound. The main emotions of heaven will be gratitude and joy which will spontaneously bring forth praise for all that our LORD Jesus Chris has done to save us.
------------------------------
Prayer: I praise you LORD for dying on the cross to save me from the power of the enemy of my soul. I bless you LORD for I was helpless and lost, and you found me and embraced me in your love. I have no hope but you.
--------------------------------------
Contemplation: I, the LORD, am your hero that delivers you!
------------------------------------
Action: I will seek to focus on what my life would have been like if Jesus the Christ has not saved me. Where would I be without Jesus? Then in light of all that He has given me by dying for my sins and coming to me in His resurrection, I will open my heart to gratitude, worship, service, and praise.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Matthew 15:10-20 - What messes up my life?
Devotions
8/23/2008
Reading: NLT Matthew 15:10 Then Jesus called to the crowds and said, "Listen to what I say and try to understand. 11 You are not defiled by what you eat; you are defiled by what you say and do. " 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?" 13 Jesus replied, "Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be rooted up, 14 so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch." 15 Then Peter asked Jesus, "Explain what you meant when you said people aren't defiled by what they eat." 16 "Don't you understand?" Jesus asked him. 17 "Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes out of the body. 18 But evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands could never defile you and make you unacceptable to God!"
Meditation
1. Literal – This section has two features of Jesus’ teaching ministry that stand out most when one reads the New Testament. First, Jesus’ teaching in conflict and offends the Pharisees and Jesus uses parables to get his point across. The first teaching here seems very straight forward. We become “unclean” or defiled not by breaking the washing rituals and dietary code of Israel but by our sinful actions. Now this was teaching contradicted the idea that it was important to follow all the outward dietary laws and rituals to be righteous.
The entire section of Matthew 15:1-28 is concerned with ritual purity -- who is clean/unclean and what makes them that way? There is a connection from beginning to end with the word artos = "bread". Unfortunately, this Greek word is usually left untranslated in v. 2b: "For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." It is a key image in Jesus' conversation with the Canaanite woman, v. 26 and in the feeding stories before and after our text: 14:17, 19; 15:33, 34, 36. (Note also its use in 16:5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12). The chapter begins because the disciples have not followed the ritual cleansing riturals of the Pharisees when eating bread, a women is humble enough to ask for the crumbs of bread that fall of the table filled with Messianic blessing for the Jews, and the blessing of the kingdom is given by the multiplication of bread given like Manna from heaven.
Pharisees have come to Jesus asking why his disciples break the oral law, which they believe to be God-given and to have equal status with Mosaic Law: why do they not wash before eating? He has pointed out to them that at times they give priority to the oral law over the biblical Law. The Pharisees teach rules of human, rather than divine, origin.
Now (v. 10) he tells the crowd a “parable” (v. 15), a saying with a hidden meaning. He sees moral behaviour (“out of the mouth”, v. 11) as important, not food laws (“into the mouth”). When the disciples point out that he has offended the Pharisees (v. 12) by his reply to their question, he is blunt: do not follow them; being “blind” (v. 14), they and their followers will be judged adversely (“pit”). When Peter asks for an explanation, Jesus addresses all the disciples (“you”, v. 16, is plural). What is eaten, Jesus says, even though ritually clean, ends up unclean (“sewer”, v. 17), so food laws are unimportant (for their purpose was to keep Israel pure from idols and separate from the nations not to become viewed as magical). The “mouth” (v. 18) was seen as the channel by which the “heart”, the very being, expressed itself. Immoral behavior (“evil intentions ...”, v. 19) does alienate one from God (“defile”, v. 20) but not breaking laws of human origin or misunderstandings of God’s own Word.
Christocentric: We are confronted here with the reality of Jesus being the Christ. He is the authoritative prophet, priest, and king from God. His word is greater than the tradition of the rabbis of Israel. His interpretation of the dietary laws is enough to change the practice of God’s people. One must see Him as the one who has sight while orthodox Judaism is blind. We must recognize the strong demand here to bow the knee to Jesus as the ultimate authority over life and faith.
Moral: Don’t sweat the superficial and small things. Don’t focus life on things that end up in the sewer or the trash. Do be concerned about your words and deeds. Do worry about what your words and deeds reveal about the condition of your heart. Don’t view yourself as righteous and good because you keep a few “outward” Christian things. Instead recognize the depth of your sin within your heart and the need for forgiveness. Do not be a blind person leading another blind person. If you are blind then admit it and lead no one. Put first things first. Above all else ask God to give you a pure heart.
Eternal: The greatest joy of heaven will be that the controversies will be over, the questions will be all answered, and most important of all our hearts will be pure of all sin. The greatest joy of heaven will be that we are really morally clean, washed pure from all sin, and no longer defiled. We will be cured of our moral cancer and actually experience in our entire being love for God and love for others. We will become an incarnation of love, purity, and holiness. This will be the fulfillment of our greatest potential as human being. Lord, come quickly that we may be pure!
Prayer: Lord, continue to purify my heart. Keep me from superficial self justification of my actions. Lord, work in my heart to give me a greater and greater love for righteousness. Thank you for cleansing me of my sin by your sacrifice on the cross.
Contemplation: Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see me
Action: Make a list of every impure thought, word, and deed today. Seek to become sensitive to wrong intentions, wrong words, and wrong actions. At the end of the day confess these very specific things knowing that the blood of Christ washes away all my defilement. Then be really thankful for Christ’s death for my sins.
8/23/2008
Reading: NLT Matthew 15:10 Then Jesus called to the crowds and said, "Listen to what I say and try to understand. 11 You are not defiled by what you eat; you are defiled by what you say and do. " 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?" 13 Jesus replied, "Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be rooted up, 14 so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch." 15 Then Peter asked Jesus, "Explain what you meant when you said people aren't defiled by what they eat." 16 "Don't you understand?" Jesus asked him. 17 "Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes out of the body. 18 But evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands could never defile you and make you unacceptable to God!"
Meditation
1. Literal – This section has two features of Jesus’ teaching ministry that stand out most when one reads the New Testament. First, Jesus’ teaching in conflict and offends the Pharisees and Jesus uses parables to get his point across. The first teaching here seems very straight forward. We become “unclean” or defiled not by breaking the washing rituals and dietary code of Israel but by our sinful actions. Now this was teaching contradicted the idea that it was important to follow all the outward dietary laws and rituals to be righteous.
The entire section of Matthew 15:1-28 is concerned with ritual purity -- who is clean/unclean and what makes them that way? There is a connection from beginning to end with the word artos = "bread". Unfortunately, this Greek word is usually left untranslated in v. 2b: "For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." It is a key image in Jesus' conversation with the Canaanite woman, v. 26 and in the feeding stories before and after our text: 14:17, 19; 15:33, 34, 36. (Note also its use in 16:5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12). The chapter begins because the disciples have not followed the ritual cleansing riturals of the Pharisees when eating bread, a women is humble enough to ask for the crumbs of bread that fall of the table filled with Messianic blessing for the Jews, and the blessing of the kingdom is given by the multiplication of bread given like Manna from heaven.
Pharisees have come to Jesus asking why his disciples break the oral law, which they believe to be God-given and to have equal status with Mosaic Law: why do they not wash before eating? He has pointed out to them that at times they give priority to the oral law over the biblical Law. The Pharisees teach rules of human, rather than divine, origin.
Now (v. 10) he tells the crowd a “parable” (v. 15), a saying with a hidden meaning. He sees moral behaviour (“out of the mouth”, v. 11) as important, not food laws (“into the mouth”). When the disciples point out that he has offended the Pharisees (v. 12) by his reply to their question, he is blunt: do not follow them; being “blind” (v. 14), they and their followers will be judged adversely (“pit”). When Peter asks for an explanation, Jesus addresses all the disciples (“you”, v. 16, is plural). What is eaten, Jesus says, even though ritually clean, ends up unclean (“sewer”, v. 17), so food laws are unimportant (for their purpose was to keep Israel pure from idols and separate from the nations not to become viewed as magical). The “mouth” (v. 18) was seen as the channel by which the “heart”, the very being, expressed itself. Immoral behavior (“evil intentions ...”, v. 19) does alienate one from God (“defile”, v. 20) but not breaking laws of human origin or misunderstandings of God’s own Word.
Christocentric: We are confronted here with the reality of Jesus being the Christ. He is the authoritative prophet, priest, and king from God. His word is greater than the tradition of the rabbis of Israel. His interpretation of the dietary laws is enough to change the practice of God’s people. One must see Him as the one who has sight while orthodox Judaism is blind. We must recognize the strong demand here to bow the knee to Jesus as the ultimate authority over life and faith.
Moral: Don’t sweat the superficial and small things. Don’t focus life on things that end up in the sewer or the trash. Do be concerned about your words and deeds. Do worry about what your words and deeds reveal about the condition of your heart. Don’t view yourself as righteous and good because you keep a few “outward” Christian things. Instead recognize the depth of your sin within your heart and the need for forgiveness. Do not be a blind person leading another blind person. If you are blind then admit it and lead no one. Put first things first. Above all else ask God to give you a pure heart.
Eternal: The greatest joy of heaven will be that the controversies will be over, the questions will be all answered, and most important of all our hearts will be pure of all sin. The greatest joy of heaven will be that we are really morally clean, washed pure from all sin, and no longer defiled. We will be cured of our moral cancer and actually experience in our entire being love for God and love for others. We will become an incarnation of love, purity, and holiness. This will be the fulfillment of our greatest potential as human being. Lord, come quickly that we may be pure!
Prayer: Lord, continue to purify my heart. Keep me from superficial self justification of my actions. Lord, work in my heart to give me a greater and greater love for righteousness. Thank you for cleansing me of my sin by your sacrifice on the cross.
Contemplation: Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see me
Action: Make a list of every impure thought, word, and deed today. Seek to become sensitive to wrong intentions, wrong words, and wrong actions. At the end of the day confess these very specific things knowing that the blood of Christ washes away all my defilement. Then be really thankful for Christ’s death for my sins.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Psalm 67 - God will win in our lives!
Reading
NLT Psalm 67:1 For the choir director: A psalm, to be accompanied by stringed instruments. A song. May God be merciful and bless us. May his face shine with favor upon us. Interlude 2 May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. 3 May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. 4 How glad the nations will be, singing for joy, because you govern them with justice and direct the actions of the whole world. Interlude 5 May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. 6 Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us. 7 Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.
Meditation:
Literal - This is a royal psalm. Scholars often refer to a number of the psalms as royal psalms. These psalms are not all of one literary type, such as prayers of petition and songs of thanksgiving, but they are linked thematically by their emphasis on how God works through the office of king.
Like Psalms 65, 118 and 124, this is a Psalm of national thanksgiving, possibly used at the Hebrew New Year. At this time, Israel were exhorted to be joyful (Deut. 16:15; Lev. 23:40) The opening verse recalls the Aaronic Blessing that we frequently use in Christian worship (Num. 6:24-26). The Psalm first attends not to human experience but to God and to God’s grace.
The Psalm asks for God to have mercy on his people and favor them with His embrace. It then prays for all the nations that they may learn the ways of God and be touched by His Holy Spirit so that they may be delivered from the worship of idols and darkness into the light of worship in spirit and truth. This desire for global revival is because the psalmist desires global praise and worship of the true God. God’s kingdom coming to the earth will bring about harmony, peace, and gladness. To be under the rule of God is to be blessed. Here is clear proof that the Old Testament desired and saw a day when every nation would be called to faith. Here we have a prayer for true and substantial revival for all the earth.
Christocentric - Christ echoed this prayer when He taught us to pray; Our Father who are in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. He also called upon us to put feet to this prayer when He said to us, “Go into the whole world and make disciple, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Christ in His death has destroyed the work of the devil and in His resurrection has been given universal authority and power. Christ is the means by which God’s kingdom will come to earth. God will exult the people of the Lord and all nations will come to learn of His ways so that every culture and people will be transformed by His amazing Grace (Isaiah 2:1-5). Jesus Christ is the answer to this psalm.
Moral: We must desire to see God’s will done on earth as in heaven. We must bow the knee to Christ Jesus and have Him practically govern over us. We must learn His ways and not just have Him as our Savior but really have Him as our Lord. The kingdom of God must start in our heart, then our homes, and then it can reach out to govern the entire world. Personal piety is the beginning of global dominion for God’s kingdom. We must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in a sincere and real way in our own private worlds before we will see cultures consistently change to become Christ like.
Eternal: There is no doubt this prayer will be answered. When Jesus the Christ returns there will be much gladness, joy, and rejoicing among all nations, peoples, and tribes for His perfect rule will have come. The creation itself groans in deep desire to see the perfect peace the Prince of Peace will bring to all the earth. We should rejoice today in the knowledge that God’s will is going to be done on the earth and righteousness will dominate every nation. God’s kingdom will come and God’s will be done – Halleluiah!
Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. 10 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 'Give us this day our daily bread. 12 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.'
Contemplation: Why do you call me “Lord, Lord” and not do the things that I say? Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Action: I will pray for global revival. I will seek to promote and support missions more than I do. I will seek to make disciples in my daily life more that God may be praised.
NLT Psalm 67:1 For the choir director: A psalm, to be accompanied by stringed instruments. A song. May God be merciful and bless us. May his face shine with favor upon us. Interlude 2 May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. 3 May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. 4 How glad the nations will be, singing for joy, because you govern them with justice and direct the actions of the whole world. Interlude 5 May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. 6 Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us. 7 Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear him.
Meditation:
Literal - This is a royal psalm. Scholars often refer to a number of the psalms as royal psalms. These psalms are not all of one literary type, such as prayers of petition and songs of thanksgiving, but they are linked thematically by their emphasis on how God works through the office of king.
Like Psalms 65, 118 and 124, this is a Psalm of national thanksgiving, possibly used at the Hebrew New Year. At this time, Israel were exhorted to be joyful (Deut. 16:15; Lev. 23:40) The opening verse recalls the Aaronic Blessing that we frequently use in Christian worship (Num. 6:24-26). The Psalm first attends not to human experience but to God and to God’s grace.
The Psalm asks for God to have mercy on his people and favor them with His embrace. It then prays for all the nations that they may learn the ways of God and be touched by His Holy Spirit so that they may be delivered from the worship of idols and darkness into the light of worship in spirit and truth. This desire for global revival is because the psalmist desires global praise and worship of the true God. God’s kingdom coming to the earth will bring about harmony, peace, and gladness. To be under the rule of God is to be blessed. Here is clear proof that the Old Testament desired and saw a day when every nation would be called to faith. Here we have a prayer for true and substantial revival for all the earth.
Christocentric - Christ echoed this prayer when He taught us to pray; Our Father who are in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. He also called upon us to put feet to this prayer when He said to us, “Go into the whole world and make disciple, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Christ in His death has destroyed the work of the devil and in His resurrection has been given universal authority and power. Christ is the means by which God’s kingdom will come to earth. God will exult the people of the Lord and all nations will come to learn of His ways so that every culture and people will be transformed by His amazing Grace (Isaiah 2:1-5). Jesus Christ is the answer to this psalm.
Moral: We must desire to see God’s will done on earth as in heaven. We must bow the knee to Christ Jesus and have Him practically govern over us. We must learn His ways and not just have Him as our Savior but really have Him as our Lord. The kingdom of God must start in our heart, then our homes, and then it can reach out to govern the entire world. Personal piety is the beginning of global dominion for God’s kingdom. We must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in a sincere and real way in our own private worlds before we will see cultures consistently change to become Christ like.
Eternal: There is no doubt this prayer will be answered. When Jesus the Christ returns there will be much gladness, joy, and rejoicing among all nations, peoples, and tribes for His perfect rule will have come. The creation itself groans in deep desire to see the perfect peace the Prince of Peace will bring to all the earth. We should rejoice today in the knowledge that God’s will is going to be done on the earth and righteousness will dominate every nation. God’s kingdom will come and God’s will be done – Halleluiah!
Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. 10 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 'Give us this day our daily bread. 12 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.'
Contemplation: Why do you call me “Lord, Lord” and not do the things that I say? Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Action: I will pray for global revival. I will seek to promote and support missions more than I do. I will seek to make disciples in my daily life more that God may be praised.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Genesis 45 - Purpose Behind Pain
Reading
Genesis 45
3 And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. 4 So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
Meditation
Literal: Joseph here is showing great mercy and insight as he reveals his survival and blessing to his brothers who wished him dead. Joseph was a man rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, put into prison, and then exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh. He could just as easily interpret his brothers coming to him as an opportunity for vengeance as for mercy. Joseph never lost love for his family even when they abused him. This is amazing. He does test their hearts but his heart is focused on reconciliation. He has seen in God’s hand behind all of his hardships. He has seen purpose in his pain.
Christocentric: Joseph is a figure of Christ. Prophesied to be an anointed leader to whom his brothers would bow, rejected by his brothers, figuratively sacrificed in the dipping of the coat of many colors in animal blood, treated as a sinner though righteous, buried in prison, and raised up to glory. Here is the gospel in the Old Testament. Christ also forgives us though we were those who betrayed him because it was God’s will that He suffer and pay the price of our redemption. King Jesus now receives us back by grace though we deserve His wrath. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that Joseph reflected.
Moral: We are to trust that God is working all things together for good. We are to see behind events and allow this to govern our anger and desire for revenge. We are to love our enemy and treat them kindly since this is the only way to overcome evil. By doing this we imitate the gospel and reflect the truth of God in our lives.
Eternal: There will be a day when we will hear “You are forgiven” by our Lord Jesus Christ and we will be given a heavenly view of our whole history. We will see how God was at work in our most painful times to bring good to others and develop our character. We will see the full plan of God revealed and then the pain will make sense for we will be able to connect all the dots and see the wisdom behind all of Gods’ plans. This reality should help us trust God today even when we are in the dark about his plans.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me trust you when bad things happen. Forgive me for murmuring and pouting. Give me greater faith in your plan. Help me understand more deeply what it means to have your favor. Grant me wisdom in understanding the losses and struggles we have in life. Lord have mercy on me. Lord have mercy on my family. Lord have mercy on the ministry. Lord guide us with your wisdom.
Contemplation: Trust in me with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding
Act: Today I will look to see God’s hand in the midst of my opportunities and trials. I will attempt to look on my life through Joseph’s eyes and see God’s plan in all that happens. Lord give me wisdom. Help me live a wise life. I will seek to acknowledge and trust in God presence and power today.
Genesis 45
3 And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. 4 So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
Meditation
Literal: Joseph here is showing great mercy and insight as he reveals his survival and blessing to his brothers who wished him dead. Joseph was a man rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, put into prison, and then exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh. He could just as easily interpret his brothers coming to him as an opportunity for vengeance as for mercy. Joseph never lost love for his family even when they abused him. This is amazing. He does test their hearts but his heart is focused on reconciliation. He has seen in God’s hand behind all of his hardships. He has seen purpose in his pain.
Christocentric: Joseph is a figure of Christ. Prophesied to be an anointed leader to whom his brothers would bow, rejected by his brothers, figuratively sacrificed in the dipping of the coat of many colors in animal blood, treated as a sinner though righteous, buried in prison, and raised up to glory. Here is the gospel in the Old Testament. Christ also forgives us though we were those who betrayed him because it was God’s will that He suffer and pay the price of our redemption. King Jesus now receives us back by grace though we deserve His wrath. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that Joseph reflected.
Moral: We are to trust that God is working all things together for good. We are to see behind events and allow this to govern our anger and desire for revenge. We are to love our enemy and treat them kindly since this is the only way to overcome evil. By doing this we imitate the gospel and reflect the truth of God in our lives.
Eternal: There will be a day when we will hear “You are forgiven” by our Lord Jesus Christ and we will be given a heavenly view of our whole history. We will see how God was at work in our most painful times to bring good to others and develop our character. We will see the full plan of God revealed and then the pain will make sense for we will be able to connect all the dots and see the wisdom behind all of Gods’ plans. This reality should help us trust God today even when we are in the dark about his plans.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me trust you when bad things happen. Forgive me for murmuring and pouting. Give me greater faith in your plan. Help me understand more deeply what it means to have your favor. Grant me wisdom in understanding the losses and struggles we have in life. Lord have mercy on me. Lord have mercy on my family. Lord have mercy on the ministry. Lord guide us with your wisdom.
Contemplation: Trust in me with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding
Act: Today I will look to see God’s hand in the midst of my opportunities and trials. I will attempt to look on my life through Joseph’s eyes and see God’s plan in all that happens. Lord give me wisdom. Help me live a wise life. I will seek to acknowledge and trust in God presence and power today.
Genesis 45 - Purpose Behind Pain
Reading
Genesis 45
3 And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. 4 So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
Meditation
Literal: Joseph here is showing great mercy and insight as he reveals his survival and blessing to his brothers who wished him dead. Joseph was a man rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, put into prison, and then exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh. He could just as easily interpret his brothers coming to him as an opportunity for vengeance as for mercy. Joseph never lost love for his family even when they abused him. This is amazing. He does test their hearts but his heart is focused on reconciliation. He has seen in God’s hand behind all of his hardships. He has seen purpose in his pain.
Christocentric: Joseph is a figure of Christ. Prophesied to be an anointed leader to whom his brothers would bow, rejected by his brothers, figuratively sacrificed in the dipping of the coat of many colors in animal blood, treated as a sinner though righteous, buried in prison, and raised up to glory. Here is the gospel in the Old Testament. Christ also forgives us though we were those who betrayed him because it was God’s will that He suffer and pay the price of our redemption. King Jesus now receives us back by grace though we deserve His wrath. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that Joseph reflected.
Moral: We are to trust that God is working all things together for good. We are to see behind events and allow this to govern our anger and desire for revenge. We are to love our enemy and treat them kindly since this is the only way to overcome evil. By doing this we imitate the gospel and reflect the truth of God in our lives.
Eternal: There will be a day when we will hear “You are forgiven” by our Lord Jesus Christ and we will be given a heavenly view of our whole history. We will see how God was at work in our most painful times to bring good to others and develop our character. We will see the full plan of God revealed and then the pain will make sense for we will be able to connect all the dots and see the wisdom behind all of Gods’ plans. This reality should help us trust God today even when we are in the dark about his plans.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me trust you when bad things happen. Forgive me for murmuring and pouting. Give me greater faith in your plan. Help me understand more deeply what it means to have your favor. Grant me wisdom in understanding the losses and struggles we have in life. Lord have mercy on me. Lord have mercy on my family. Lord have mercy on the ministry. Lord guide us with your wisdom.
Contemplation: Trust in me with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding
Act: Today I will look to see God’s hand in the midst of my opportunities and trials. I will attempt to look on my life through Joseph’s eyes and see God’s plan in all that happens. Lord give me wisdom. Help me live a wise life. I will seek to acknowledge and trust in God presence and power today.
Genesis 45
3 And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. 4 So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
Meditation
Literal: Joseph here is showing great mercy and insight as he reveals his survival and blessing to his brothers who wished him dead. Joseph was a man rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, put into prison, and then exalted to the right hand of Pharaoh. He could just as easily interpret his brothers coming to him as an opportunity for vengeance as for mercy. Joseph never lost love for his family even when they abused him. This is amazing. He does test their hearts but his heart is focused on reconciliation. He has seen in God’s hand behind all of his hardships. He has seen purpose in his pain.
Christocentric: Joseph is a figure of Christ. Prophesied to be an anointed leader to whom his brothers would bow, rejected by his brothers, figuratively sacrificed in the dipping of the coat of many colors in animal blood, treated as a sinner though righteous, buried in prison, and raised up to glory. Here is the gospel in the Old Testament. Christ also forgives us though we were those who betrayed him because it was God’s will that He suffer and pay the price of our redemption. King Jesus now receives us back by grace though we deserve His wrath. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that Joseph reflected.
Moral: We are to trust that God is working all things together for good. We are to see behind events and allow this to govern our anger and desire for revenge. We are to love our enemy and treat them kindly since this is the only way to overcome evil. By doing this we imitate the gospel and reflect the truth of God in our lives.
Eternal: There will be a day when we will hear “You are forgiven” by our Lord Jesus Christ and we will be given a heavenly view of our whole history. We will see how God was at work in our most painful times to bring good to others and develop our character. We will see the full plan of God revealed and then the pain will make sense for we will be able to connect all the dots and see the wisdom behind all of Gods’ plans. This reality should help us trust God today even when we are in the dark about his plans.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me trust you when bad things happen. Forgive me for murmuring and pouting. Give me greater faith in your plan. Help me understand more deeply what it means to have your favor. Grant me wisdom in understanding the losses and struggles we have in life. Lord have mercy on me. Lord have mercy on my family. Lord have mercy on the ministry. Lord guide us with your wisdom.
Contemplation: Trust in me with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding
Act: Today I will look to see God’s hand in the midst of my opportunities and trials. I will attempt to look on my life through Joseph’s eyes and see God’s plan in all that happens. Lord give me wisdom. Help me live a wise life. I will seek to acknowledge and trust in God presence and power today.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Unity Among Christians
Reading
NLT Psalm 133:1 A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.
How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony! 2 For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life forevermore.
Meditation:
Literal: The traditional view of this passage was that it was written by David and sang by people as they came to the three great feasts to Jerusalem to worship. The brothers here would have been all the different tribes who would be coming together to worship the Lord at His temple. Some believe that this psalm was sung by Levites as they returned from exile in Babylon to the temple.
The focus is on how much pleasure comes when there is unity, peace, and tranquility in human relationships. It “smells” right and brings joy to individuals, families, tribes, and nations. The Psalmist also describes it as refreshing dew and then speaks of the most northern parts of the country which is illustrated by Mount Hermon and the Southern with Mount Zion. Both Israel and Judea united seems to be part of the focus.
The blessing that is upon God’s covenant people is that they have in the Messiah been given everlasting life. Harmony is found in remembering the one eternal life that all of God’s people share.
Christocentric - It was at Mount Hermon that Jesus said that He would build His Church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. It was in Jerusalem that He would die to redeem His church. He came to make both believing Jews and believing Gentiles one people and to knock down the wall of division between them. He has said that when we live in unity and harmony then the world will know that He was sent by the Father. The heart of Christ is that His people not be divided into fractions but that we love one another as he loved us.
Moral: Why are there wars among Christian brothers? Because of our envy, self righteousness, and greed there is division and discord. Our lack of unity as the people of God creates a spiritual “stink” that repels people from the Christian faith. It is much easier to find fault than to give praise. It is much easier to condemn than to encourage. We must strive to keep the unity that has been given to us through the Holy Spirit and strive to be peace makers with all people, especially those who believe.
Eternal – The full wonder and experience of this passage will be seen by God’s people when we gather at the throne of heaven. We will be one people with one shepherd. We will have love for Jesus and love for one another. Part of the kingdom of heaven will be perfect human relationships. We will be from many nations, tribes, cultures, and colors; but we will be one people who will know harmony, peace, joy, and love between each other.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that you have created unity among believers through the Holy Spirit. I ask you Lord to make me a peace maker both within your Church and outside of the church. Allow my heart to seek harmony in all my human relationships. Keep my mouth from saying hurtful things. Let me seek to find the good in every relationship and the courage to rebuke when needed to maintain the peace. Lord help your people to avoid division that we may not cause the world to speak evil of you.
Contemplation: Love one another as I have loved you
Action: I will seek to understand others and to be slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to anger. I will strive to keep my mouth from speaking judgment or condemnation on fellow Christians.
NLT Psalm 133:1 A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.
How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony! 2 For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life forevermore.
Meditation:
Literal: The traditional view of this passage was that it was written by David and sang by people as they came to the three great feasts to Jerusalem to worship. The brothers here would have been all the different tribes who would be coming together to worship the Lord at His temple. Some believe that this psalm was sung by Levites as they returned from exile in Babylon to the temple.
The focus is on how much pleasure comes when there is unity, peace, and tranquility in human relationships. It “smells” right and brings joy to individuals, families, tribes, and nations. The Psalmist also describes it as refreshing dew and then speaks of the most northern parts of the country which is illustrated by Mount Hermon and the Southern with Mount Zion. Both Israel and Judea united seems to be part of the focus.
The blessing that is upon God’s covenant people is that they have in the Messiah been given everlasting life. Harmony is found in remembering the one eternal life that all of God’s people share.
Christocentric - It was at Mount Hermon that Jesus said that He would build His Church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it. It was in Jerusalem that He would die to redeem His church. He came to make both believing Jews and believing Gentiles one people and to knock down the wall of division between them. He has said that when we live in unity and harmony then the world will know that He was sent by the Father. The heart of Christ is that His people not be divided into fractions but that we love one another as he loved us.
Moral: Why are there wars among Christian brothers? Because of our envy, self righteousness, and greed there is division and discord. Our lack of unity as the people of God creates a spiritual “stink” that repels people from the Christian faith. It is much easier to find fault than to give praise. It is much easier to condemn than to encourage. We must strive to keep the unity that has been given to us through the Holy Spirit and strive to be peace makers with all people, especially those who believe.
Eternal – The full wonder and experience of this passage will be seen by God’s people when we gather at the throne of heaven. We will be one people with one shepherd. We will have love for Jesus and love for one another. Part of the kingdom of heaven will be perfect human relationships. We will be from many nations, tribes, cultures, and colors; but we will be one people who will know harmony, peace, joy, and love between each other.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that you have created unity among believers through the Holy Spirit. I ask you Lord to make me a peace maker both within your Church and outside of the church. Allow my heart to seek harmony in all my human relationships. Keep my mouth from saying hurtful things. Let me seek to find the good in every relationship and the courage to rebuke when needed to maintain the peace. Lord help your people to avoid division that we may not cause the world to speak evil of you.
Contemplation: Love one another as I have loved you
Action: I will seek to understand others and to be slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to anger. I will strive to keep my mouth from speaking judgment or condemnation on fellow Christians.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Gospel Not Law
Our sermon series on Romans has focused us on the reality that it through the person of Jesus theMessiah alone that we have union and communion with God. Our obedience to the law of God is the basis of our having fellowship with God. The reality is that we should speak more of our disobedience to the law than our obedience for we have all fallen short of the demands of the law. We are in need of forgiveness and restoration. These are found in Jesus the Christ who has paid for our sins and been raised to life again to give us hope and fellowship with God. This "good news" is the focus, foundation, and center of our Christianity. It is not just a "front door" by which we enter the Christian life; it is the Christian life.
I hope you will join us for our meditations on Romans
I hope you will join us for our meditations on Romans
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