Matthew 12:36 "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgement for every empty word they have spoken."
Blackaby makes an interesting point in today's reading. He writes, "We would expect Jesus to condemn profane and vile uses of the tongue, but idle words?" He describes idle words as words that "we say carelessly, without concern for their impact on others."
This reminder should be on the wall of every staff room and Sunday school room and posted at every family get together. Christians love to condemn homosexuality, abortion and same-sex marriage, but gossip, idle words? Those are just personality quirks, not sin. Jesus Christ disagrees!
Not only can these idle words hurt people and destroy a witness, but they reveal the condition of a person's heart. "A good man bring good thing out of the good stored up in him, but an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him." Matthew 12:35 Note: Jesus uses "evil" to describe this person. Not "kinda' bad" or "slightly annoying", but EVIL.
Perhaps inward conviction should precede outward condemnation in a Christian's life.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
March 28, 2012
Jeremiah 15:16 When your words came I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.
Lots of stuff contained in this one verse.
First- We all know that without food to eat, we will die. No eats, no life. You can tell from my waistline that I am not in the habit of missing a meal. But I do miss a lot of spiritual meals in that I go days at a time without any meaningful feasting on the scripture. Snacking on scripture may barely sustain my spiritual life, but to have a healthy, vibrant spiritual life I need a spiritual pyramid or plate. (I wonder what a spiritual pyramid or "plate" would look like?)
Second, is scripture really my "joy and heart's delight" as it was for Jeremiah? At times scripture is a convicter. Other times it reminds me or causes me to ponder. But "joy and heart's delight"? Usually not. More and more it is becoming a place of refuge, a restorer of my soul.
Finally, Jeremiah writes, "for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty". This section of today's reading brought to mind a picture of a person with "LORD God Almighty" literally tatooed across his forehead. I know that it is not meant to be taken that literally. But it does make me think, "Do those I encounter throughout the day see God's name on my life?". Does the world see me as God's own when I am at work, at the grocery store, at the DMV? Does my family see God's name on my life? Hmmm. . .
Lots of stuff contained in this one verse.
First- We all know that without food to eat, we will die. No eats, no life. You can tell from my waistline that I am not in the habit of missing a meal. But I do miss a lot of spiritual meals in that I go days at a time without any meaningful feasting on the scripture. Snacking on scripture may barely sustain my spiritual life, but to have a healthy, vibrant spiritual life I need a spiritual pyramid or plate. (I wonder what a spiritual pyramid or "plate" would look like?)
Second, is scripture really my "joy and heart's delight" as it was for Jeremiah? At times scripture is a convicter. Other times it reminds me or causes me to ponder. But "joy and heart's delight"? Usually not. More and more it is becoming a place of refuge, a restorer of my soul.
Finally, Jeremiah writes, "for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty". This section of today's reading brought to mind a picture of a person with "LORD God Almighty" literally tatooed across his forehead. I know that it is not meant to be taken that literally. But it does make me think, "Do those I encounter throughout the day see God's name on my life?". Does the world see me as God's own when I am at work, at the grocery store, at the DMV? Does my family see God's name on my life? Hmmm. . .
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
March 27, 2012
Psalm 103:7 He made known His ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel.
Whoa, this is some heavy stuff!! Getting into new cerebral territory for me.
Blackaby compares the Israelites knowledge of God as being surface. They witnessed the Red Sea parting, ate manna and quail. But Moses' God-knowledge went far deeper that just the provision of God. In Exodus 33 Moses says to God, "Now show me your glory." Moses was not content with just God's provision and protection. He wanted to know God's very essence. God's character was of importance to Moses, not just His deeds.
Why don't I seek this level of God knowledge? Fear? Ignorance? Laziness? Feelings of unworthiness?
"And the survey said. . ."
For me I think "ignorance" and "feelings of unworthiness". Until today's reading I had never really separated God's deeds from God's essence. I know that His acts point to His essence, but to genuinely desire that deeper level of knowledge was something I had not given a lot of thought to.
Satan is still hammering on my "unworthiness". The years I have wasted. The people whose lives I have damaged. The sins I have committed. Until I can more fully and consistently internalize the reality that God not only forgives ALL my sin but separates me from them as far as east is from west, I will continue to struggle in my journey to really KNOWING God.
Whoa, this is some heavy stuff!! Getting into new cerebral territory for me.
Blackaby compares the Israelites knowledge of God as being surface. They witnessed the Red Sea parting, ate manna and quail. But Moses' God-knowledge went far deeper that just the provision of God. In Exodus 33 Moses says to God, "Now show me your glory." Moses was not content with just God's provision and protection. He wanted to know God's very essence. God's character was of importance to Moses, not just His deeds.
Why don't I seek this level of God knowledge? Fear? Ignorance? Laziness? Feelings of unworthiness?
"And the survey said. . ."
For me I think "ignorance" and "feelings of unworthiness". Until today's reading I had never really separated God's deeds from God's essence. I know that His acts point to His essence, but to genuinely desire that deeper level of knowledge was something I had not given a lot of thought to.
Satan is still hammering on my "unworthiness". The years I have wasted. The people whose lives I have damaged. The sins I have committed. Until I can more fully and consistently internalize the reality that God not only forgives ALL my sin but separates me from them as far as east is from west, I will continue to struggle in my journey to really KNOWING God.
Monday, March 26, 2012
March 26, 2012
Spring break is over :-( Back to work. So often students bemoan the first day back from an extended break. I certainly understand how they are feeling, but I good naturedly remind them that if spring break never ended then the fourth quarter would never begin. If the fourth quarter never began, then the fourth quarter would never end. If the fourth quarter never ended, then summer break would never arrive. So we should be happy that spring break is over. (Most often this is met with a roll of the eyes and a sarcastic, "Yeah, right.")
The blog entry on March 21 focused on intercessory prayer. A line from Blackaby's book I did not include in that day's entry was, "we long for Pentecost in our lives and churches, but there is no Pentecost without Gethsemane and a cross." Without a passionate, mature prayer life great things from God in a Christian's livf will be the rare exception, not the rule.
I write this blog because:
1. I enjoy writing.
2. It keeps me consistent in my morning Bible/quiet time.
BUT. . .
It has become a substitute for a sustained, meaningful prayer time.
Prayer request- That I will find the balance between the spiritual disciplines I enjoy and those that are just plain, ol' hard work.
The blog entry on March 21 focused on intercessory prayer. A line from Blackaby's book I did not include in that day's entry was, "we long for Pentecost in our lives and churches, but there is no Pentecost without Gethsemane and a cross." Without a passionate, mature prayer life great things from God in a Christian's livf will be the rare exception, not the rule.
I write this blog because:
1. I enjoy writing.
2. It keeps me consistent in my morning Bible/quiet time.
BUT. . .
It has become a substitute for a sustained, meaningful prayer time.
Prayer request- That I will find the balance between the spiritual disciplines I enjoy and those that are just plain, ol' hard work.
Friday, March 23, 2012
March 23, 2012
Matthew 11:11 "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
I had to do some additional research and reading beyond Blackaby to have some understanding of today's verse. Still not satisfied that I truly grasp the message of this verse. The general interpretation seems to be that spirit-filled believers have a closer walk/relationship with God that John the Baptist had because, at that point in history, the Holy Spirit did not indwell people.
I guess the phrase "in the kingdom of heaven" is what stumps me. What does that mean? Is it referring to those in heaven or those who have accepted Christ as their personal savior?
According to Blackaby, based on this verse, as Christians "we have the opportunity to allow Jesus to carry out His work through our lives, so that greater things are done through us than were ever accomplished through John the Baptist." I don't get that from this verse. I don't see it about "doing" great things, but more about the new relationship to Christ made possible by the individual indwelling of the Holy Spirit available to all who accept Jesus as personal Lord and Savior.
I had to do some additional research and reading beyond Blackaby to have some understanding of today's verse. Still not satisfied that I truly grasp the message of this verse. The general interpretation seems to be that spirit-filled believers have a closer walk/relationship with God that John the Baptist had because, at that point in history, the Holy Spirit did not indwell people.
I guess the phrase "in the kingdom of heaven" is what stumps me. What does that mean? Is it referring to those in heaven or those who have accepted Christ as their personal savior?
According to Blackaby, based on this verse, as Christians "we have the opportunity to allow Jesus to carry out His work through our lives, so that greater things are done through us than were ever accomplished through John the Baptist." I don't get that from this verse. I don't see it about "doing" great things, but more about the new relationship to Christ made possible by the individual indwelling of the Holy Spirit available to all who accept Jesus as personal Lord and Savior.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
March 21, 2012
Luke 22:44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
(Off track comment- I had always remembered that this verse actually meant Christ sweated drops of blood. There were even First Baptist Church explanations of how Jesus had burst the tiny capillaries in his forehead. After reading the NIV and several other translations, "like drops of blood", "as if it were great drops of blood", etc. is the accepted translation. Most likely Christ sweated profusely but did not bleed.)
Yesterday's reading was a softball compared with today's entry. Blackaby hits the nail on the head when he writes, "Prayer is not difficult to understand. It is difficult to do." Ain't that the truth, brother!
Blackaby points out that "deep, prolonged intercession is painful. It involves staying before God when everyone else has gone away or is asleep." Many times in scripture, Jesus Christ himself leaves the company of others for solitude in order to talk to his Father.
"There are no shortcuts to prayer. There are no books to read, seminars to attend or inspirational mottoes to memorize that will transform us into intercessors. This comes only by committing ourselves to pray and then doing so." Simple plan. Difficult implementation.
Perhaps Nike had it right- "Just Do It"
(Off track comment- I had always remembered that this verse actually meant Christ sweated drops of blood. There were even First Baptist Church explanations of how Jesus had burst the tiny capillaries in his forehead. After reading the NIV and several other translations, "like drops of blood", "as if it were great drops of blood", etc. is the accepted translation. Most likely Christ sweated profusely but did not bleed.)
Yesterday's reading was a softball compared with today's entry. Blackaby hits the nail on the head when he writes, "Prayer is not difficult to understand. It is difficult to do." Ain't that the truth, brother!
Blackaby points out that "deep, prolonged intercession is painful. It involves staying before God when everyone else has gone away or is asleep." Many times in scripture, Jesus Christ himself leaves the company of others for solitude in order to talk to his Father.
"There are no shortcuts to prayer. There are no books to read, seminars to attend or inspirational mottoes to memorize that will transform us into intercessors. This comes only by committing ourselves to pray and then doing so." Simple plan. Difficult implementation.
Perhaps Nike had it right- "Just Do It"
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
March 23, 2012
Mark 14:9- "Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
This verse came from the episode where an unnamed woman went to Christ during a Passover meal and anointed Him with expensive perfume. Many there complained the perfume could have been sold and the proceeds used for a more "worthy" purpose. Christ tells the crowd that what the woman did was a "beautiful thing" and that there would always be time to help the poor. In fact, Jesus promised that the woman's act would be remembered "wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world".
While this story could be debated from many angles, Blackaby uses it to highlight the fact that the woman's expression of her love and devotion to Christ has affected people throughout the ages. Blackaby writes that the woman, "did nothing spectacular; she performed no miracles; she preached no sermons." Yet her act of "selfless loyalty" became part of the Holy Writ.
I am glad Blackaby was able to find contemporary application of this New Testament story. "God can take your faithfulness and begin a spiritual legacy, making it a blessing to others for generations to come. You will never know until eternity all who received a blessing because of your righteous life. That is why it is to important that you daily express your love and devotion to Jesus." (p. 145)
As so many times happens, God is right on time with His personal message to me. This morning before I rolled out of the sack, I was going over my to-do list for today. I prayed that God would use my life today to further His kingdom. Then I started thinking about how my secular career offered little chance for ministry. I thought, "Well, at least on Sundays I teach an ESL class and attend Sunday School." How to make a lasting impact for Christ on a day-to-day basis was the lingering, unsettled question that accompanied me downstairs to my Bible and blog.
Within a few minutes, I had the answer to my question thanks to Mark and the unnamed woman with the perfume. If every thing I say and each interaction I have during my waking hours are designed to glorify God, then I will have a daily ministry. Maybe I won't preach a sermon or lead someone in the believer's prayer, but my actions, reactions and speech can touch untold numbers for Christ.
This verse came from the episode where an unnamed woman went to Christ during a Passover meal and anointed Him with expensive perfume. Many there complained the perfume could have been sold and the proceeds used for a more "worthy" purpose. Christ tells the crowd that what the woman did was a "beautiful thing" and that there would always be time to help the poor. In fact, Jesus promised that the woman's act would be remembered "wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world".
While this story could be debated from many angles, Blackaby uses it to highlight the fact that the woman's expression of her love and devotion to Christ has affected people throughout the ages. Blackaby writes that the woman, "did nothing spectacular; she performed no miracles; she preached no sermons." Yet her act of "selfless loyalty" became part of the Holy Writ.
I am glad Blackaby was able to find contemporary application of this New Testament story. "God can take your faithfulness and begin a spiritual legacy, making it a blessing to others for generations to come. You will never know until eternity all who received a blessing because of your righteous life. That is why it is to important that you daily express your love and devotion to Jesus." (p. 145)
As so many times happens, God is right on time with His personal message to me. This morning before I rolled out of the sack, I was going over my to-do list for today. I prayed that God would use my life today to further His kingdom. Then I started thinking about how my secular career offered little chance for ministry. I thought, "Well, at least on Sundays I teach an ESL class and attend Sunday School." How to make a lasting impact for Christ on a day-to-day basis was the lingering, unsettled question that accompanied me downstairs to my Bible and blog.
Within a few minutes, I had the answer to my question thanks to Mark and the unnamed woman with the perfume. If every thing I say and each interaction I have during my waking hours are designed to glorify God, then I will have a daily ministry. Maybe I won't preach a sermon or lead someone in the believer's prayer, but my actions, reactions and speech can touch untold numbers for Christ.
Monday, March 19, 2012
March 19, 2012
March 6-13 --I was sick- cough, stuffiness, little sleep, etc. Maybe an excuse to take time off from the blog and Bible study. (Not a good excuse, still . . .) Since the 13th however, no excuse. I had just gotten out of the habit and allowed the snooze button to replace quiet time.
Did anything cataclysmic happen? No. Did a tree fall on our house? Not yet. Did I feel distance from God? Yes. Was there a feeling of disquietude? Yes.
Acts 8:29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." This verse if from the story in Acts where Philip had started a great revival in Samaria. (Is it a revival if it is the first time for the Gospel?) An angel and the Holy Spirit worked in concert to get Philip in a position to witness to an important government official from Ethiopia. The result was the baptism of that person by Philip.
There are two take-aways from this story. The first being Philip's immediate obedience. Here we had Philip who had started a great awakening in a major city. He was performing miracles, leading people to God, baptizing new converts. What glorious and heady time. Then God instructed Philip to head out to a dusty, dirty desert road. We are told in Acts, "So he started out. . ." (Acts 8:27) No hedging. No "yeah, buts". Just obedience.
I realize that being asked to head out to a certain street or road it not as life-changing as go to Nineveh, or going to war against the Midianites, but still it was a disruption to and a change in Philip's routine.
I wonder how many witnessing opportunities I have missed because the "unsettled" feeling in my gut I have passed off to indigestion or thought about it long enough that the opportunity passed by. If Philip had told God, "Well, let me pray about it a day or two, the Ethiopian would have been long gone and along with him the opportunity for Philip to help spread the Gospel to another country.
Second, I am struck with just how close Philip's daily walk with God must have been in order for his spiritual antennae to be so in tune to pick up on such a "minor" message as "go south to to road- - the desert road. . ."
A dear lady I know recently was told to "go south to the road" in a sense by striking up a conversation with two other ladies in a fast-food restaurant. That "random" conversation let to the establishment of a beachhead for a ministry that will touch an untold number of people.
A close, daily walk with God can give us the confidence to act immediately when the Holy Spirit tells us to go to the desert roads. Pray without ceasing and act without hesitation. Two keys for missions.
Did anything cataclysmic happen? No. Did a tree fall on our house? Not yet. Did I feel distance from God? Yes. Was there a feeling of disquietude? Yes.
Acts 8:29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." This verse if from the story in Acts where Philip had started a great revival in Samaria. (Is it a revival if it is the first time for the Gospel?) An angel and the Holy Spirit worked in concert to get Philip in a position to witness to an important government official from Ethiopia. The result was the baptism of that person by Philip.
There are two take-aways from this story. The first being Philip's immediate obedience. Here we had Philip who had started a great awakening in a major city. He was performing miracles, leading people to God, baptizing new converts. What glorious and heady time. Then God instructed Philip to head out to a dusty, dirty desert road. We are told in Acts, "So he started out. . ." (Acts 8:27) No hedging. No "yeah, buts". Just obedience.
I realize that being asked to head out to a certain street or road it not as life-changing as go to Nineveh, or going to war against the Midianites, but still it was a disruption to and a change in Philip's routine.
I wonder how many witnessing opportunities I have missed because the "unsettled" feeling in my gut I have passed off to indigestion or thought about it long enough that the opportunity passed by. If Philip had told God, "Well, let me pray about it a day or two, the Ethiopian would have been long gone and along with him the opportunity for Philip to help spread the Gospel to another country.
Second, I am struck with just how close Philip's daily walk with God must have been in order for his spiritual antennae to be so in tune to pick up on such a "minor" message as "go south to to road- - the desert road. . ."
A dear lady I know recently was told to "go south to the road" in a sense by striking up a conversation with two other ladies in a fast-food restaurant. That "random" conversation let to the establishment of a beachhead for a ministry that will touch an untold number of people.
A close, daily walk with God can give us the confidence to act immediately when the Holy Spirit tells us to go to the desert roads. Pray without ceasing and act without hesitation. Two keys for missions.
Monday, March 5, 2012
March 5, 2011
Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Will your coworkers say to each other, "He has been with Jesus this weekend."? Will your children think, "Wow, Mom must have spent some time with Jesus this morning."? Maybe their thoughts won't be Jesus-specific, but will your actions and speech be a clearer reflection of Jesus this week than last? Has your time spent with God changed you?
If time alone with God is just to satisfy your 7/24 goal or to keep up with your read-the-Bible-through-in-a-year schedule, it is next to worthless. An increased knowledge of and time with God is a vital, necessary part of a Christian's spiritual growth, but if increased knowledge does not translate into a changed life, it is of little use to a lost, dying world.
Prayer for the lost coworker must be accompanied by an offer to help him or her finish that project. Asking God to improve your marriage should go hand-in-hand with an out-of-the-blue back rub.
Everyone in a my life should be able to tell that I have been with Jesus. Can they?
One caution from Blackaby: "If you have to prove to someone that God has really changed you, He has not. Those around you will surely notice when your life has been transformed by your relationship with Jesus." Our new-and-improved life should be a natural outflow of our time alone with Him. Not a forced, formulaic production that is a transparent charade.
Dear Lord, may my life truly be different today because of my time with You.
Will your coworkers say to each other, "He has been with Jesus this weekend."? Will your children think, "Wow, Mom must have spent some time with Jesus this morning."? Maybe their thoughts won't be Jesus-specific, but will your actions and speech be a clearer reflection of Jesus this week than last? Has your time spent with God changed you?
If time alone with God is just to satisfy your 7/24 goal or to keep up with your read-the-Bible-through-in-a-year schedule, it is next to worthless. An increased knowledge of and time with God is a vital, necessary part of a Christian's spiritual growth, but if increased knowledge does not translate into a changed life, it is of little use to a lost, dying world.
Prayer for the lost coworker must be accompanied by an offer to help him or her finish that project. Asking God to improve your marriage should go hand-in-hand with an out-of-the-blue back rub.
Everyone in a my life should be able to tell that I have been with Jesus. Can they?
One caution from Blackaby: "If you have to prove to someone that God has really changed you, He has not. Those around you will surely notice when your life has been transformed by your relationship with Jesus." Our new-and-improved life should be a natural outflow of our time alone with Him. Not a forced, formulaic production that is a transparent charade.
Dear Lord, may my life truly be different today because of my time with You.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
March 1, 2012
Hebrews 10:19-20 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus Christ, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body. . .
"Our generation lacks a sense of wonder and reverence toward God." (pg. 69) Ain't that the truth. I don't want to slip into a good-ol-days rant, but even as recently as the 1970's (Yes, that is recent compared to glaciers!), church was a place of reverence. One did not run in church. There was such a thing as Sunday to to meetin' clothes. Coffee in the sanctuary- NEVER! I know these were all outward trappings and not an indicator of one's inner condition, but at least it did denote a sense of the specialness of church. Church was a place where one was to comport himself in a different way from the workplace.
In have oft wondered if our move to welcome all has not only watered down our dress (which I agree is insubstantial), but also our message and our sense of wonder and awe.
I am not an Old Testament scholar, but from what I have read, the Holy of Holies were reserved for only the most pure, sincere, cleasend priest. The honor of entering into the actual presence of God was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Church clothed worshippers may make seekers feel uncomfortable. Perhaps a coffee machine in the lobby is a nice collection point for socialization. But the casualness of meeting with the Creator of the Universe seems to overtaking a sense of awe and reference.
I cannot change the procedures of Ridgecrest or the actions/attitudes of others. However I do have control over three people- Me, Myself and I. Morning times can be approached with an increased sense of thankfulness and appreciation for His sacrifice. My prechurch ritual can involve time alone with God to prepare my heart. I can take the time to wear a tie and jacket. (Outward can help shape the inward.)
Thank yo9u Heavenly Father for your Son's sacrifice that provides me access to the Holy of Holies and allows me to come directly to you for comfort, direction and wisdom. May I allow the Holy Spirit to impress upon me more and more the proper "sense of wonder and reverence" toward you.
"Our generation lacks a sense of wonder and reverence toward God." (pg. 69) Ain't that the truth. I don't want to slip into a good-ol-days rant, but even as recently as the 1970's (Yes, that is recent compared to glaciers!), church was a place of reverence. One did not run in church. There was such a thing as Sunday to to meetin' clothes. Coffee in the sanctuary- NEVER! I know these were all outward trappings and not an indicator of one's inner condition, but at least it did denote a sense of the specialness of church. Church was a place where one was to comport himself in a different way from the workplace.
In have oft wondered if our move to welcome all has not only watered down our dress (which I agree is insubstantial), but also our message and our sense of wonder and awe.
I am not an Old Testament scholar, but from what I have read, the Holy of Holies were reserved for only the most pure, sincere, cleasend priest. The honor of entering into the actual presence of God was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Church clothed worshippers may make seekers feel uncomfortable. Perhaps a coffee machine in the lobby is a nice collection point for socialization. But the casualness of meeting with the Creator of the Universe seems to overtaking a sense of awe and reference.
I cannot change the procedures of Ridgecrest or the actions/attitudes of others. However I do have control over three people- Me, Myself and I. Morning times can be approached with an increased sense of thankfulness and appreciation for His sacrifice. My prechurch ritual can involve time alone with God to prepare my heart. I can take the time to wear a tie and jacket. (Outward can help shape the inward.)
Thank yo9u Heavenly Father for your Son's sacrifice that provides me access to the Holy of Holies and allows me to come directly to you for comfort, direction and wisdom. May I allow the Holy Spirit to impress upon me more and more the proper "sense of wonder and reverence" toward you.
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