Month: December 2011

RE Verse reading–Matthew 3 (day seven)  I am reading Laura Hillenbrand’s book Unbroken.  It is a moving story of the courage of the American pilots in the Pacific theater of WWII.  It reminds me of John the Baptist who was not a man to value comfort above duty.  From uncomfortable clothes to unappetizing diet, his path was not chosen with an eye for pleasure.  His only focus was on truth, and if “truth hurts” then so be it.  This same selflessness allowed him to face his opponents without surrender.  Their disapproval did not frighten him.  Neither did Herod’s which eventually cost him his life.  What an absolutely courageous man!  Pray that God makes us a generation like John.  Our nation, church and families would be radically changed if people served God with stubborn resistance against the softening desires of the flesh,  with the knowledge that the approval of Christ demands both physical and spiritual courage.  Have we grown soft, friends?  Pray not!  I will look for you in worship in a few hours.

RE Verse reading–Matthew 3 (day six)  When John the Baptist identifies himself as “a voice calling in the wilderness”(vs 3) he was quoting Isaiah 40 which begins with these words, ” ‘Comfort, oh comfort my people’, says your God” (vs 1)  Strange because in some ways John was anything but a comfort to the people and institutions of Israel. He called them to confess sin!  He was more convicting than comfortable.  It is a reminder that part of God’s comfort is to convict of sin, to face painful realities about ourselves which may be short-term painful but long-term beneficial.  A holy God can NEVER bless an unrighteousness.  He must challenge sin!  When God disturbs/upsets us it is often a precursor to His help.  “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards if yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11) May we welcome His conviction as an indication of His love!

RE Verse reading–Matthew 3 (day five).  John the Baptist could see the future.  Not fully.  Not in detail.  His insight came through prayer and fellowship with God.  He knew that “after me one will come” and that this coming one would “baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire”. (vs 11)  If fire is a term of destruction (cleansing by removing what is corrupt), this promise was kept!  In 70 AD Roman troops destroyed Jerusalem and fulfilled the promise of God.  Fire!  The Spirit promise was also kept.  At Pentecost (Acts 2) the Spirit of God was poured out on the church as our new environment, our new LIFE.  Spirit!  Baptism in the Spirit is the permanent gift of God to all true believers.  It is the promise of God!   How thankful and careful we should all be to guard this treasure!  “Walk by the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh”.  (Galatians 5:16)

RE Verse reading–Matthew 3 (day four).  “And John consented” (vs 15).  Is this my story?   I hope so.  In another example of John’s humility, Matthew 3:15 tells of his willingness to act in a way that is “outside his comfort zone”, contrary to his own preference and logic. (the baptism of Christ) To consent translates a word that means “to send away” (ie to send away all the protests or counter considerations–to end the debate).  Whether John was persuaded by the argument or just humble enough to recognize the superior rank of Christ the scripture doesn’t say.  What it does say is that John possessed the requirement of every spiritually successful soul–a soft and obedient heart.  “Have thine own way, Lord.  Have thine own way.  Thou art the potter.  I am the clay” we sing in affirmation of this unbending truth.  Which is it?  Do you want YOUR way or HIS?  Is your heart soft or stubborn to the direction of God?

RE Verse reading–Matthew 3 (day four)  “After me will come one more powerful than I” (Matthew 3:11)  It may be the biggest word in the English language.  What I want, what I need, what I deserve, what I think.  Until the Spirit of God dethrones this little imposter,  “I” is a very big word.  Ego controls almost everything we do.   “Deny yourSELF” said Jesus.  Tell yourSELF “no”.  That John had done so was part of his power.  He was free from the power of PLEASURE.  He dressed and fed himself  without self-indulgence or vanity.  He was free from the power of PRIDE.  He did not compete with the Lord for attention or control.  “One who is greater” was His name for Christ.  We do well to remember.  There is no other path to spiritual power.  “Humble yourSELF in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you” (James 4:10) “If my people will humble themSELVES and seek MY face” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

RE Verse reading–Matthew 3 (day two).  “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2)  And maybe you don’t believe anymore that Kingdom life is possible. Not for you at least.  Too many disappointments.  Too many failed attempts at “being good”.  Unconsciously you have settled into an expectation of mediocrity, a disbelief that Romans 8:4 is really true ( ” in order that the requirement of the Law might be FULFILLED in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the SPIRIT”)  It is a sad state because repentance is fueled by Kingdom hope.  Our motivation for “changing our minds”  (ie repentance) is that we are still convinced that Kingdom life is POSSIBLE by God’s grace.  Maybe this is why the Father is careful to praise Jesus.  “I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17)  The thought and hope of Him saying this to me, keeps me at the hard task of changing my mind. Do you believe that Kingdom is still possible for you?

Re:Verse Reading–Matthew 3 (day one).  “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. . .And a voice from Heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased.”  (Matthew 3:13,17) No one knows HOW the Lord reached his decision.  The scripture never tells us His mental process.  Perhaps He gives a clue years later when He says “the baptism of John, was it from God or from men?” (Matthew 21:25) The fact, however, is that Jesus DID MAKE A DECISION!   Should I be baptized?  Yes, came the Lord’s answer!  Perhaps we should all remember that following Christ is not one decision but many. It is a demanding, time-consuming, conscience-testing pursuit that searches and obeys the will of God, again and again, sometimes even facing the opposition of trusted friends.  It pleases the Father to see this discernment/courage in Christ.  It pleases Him to see it in us.  “I have decided to follow Jesus. . .”

Re:Verse reading – Matthew 1:18 – 2:15, 19-23 (day seven)

From Matt. 1:18 – 2:23, there are five references to prophecy and scripture being fulfilled. From, “Look! The virgin will conceive a son,” in 1:23 to “…that Jesus would be called a Nazarene” in 2:23. Jesus’s birth and life was the glorious culmination of God’s promises. Josh McDowell, in his book “The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict,” states that the Old Testament contains over three hundred references to the Messiah that were perfectly fulfilled in Jesus.
Why is important that Jesus Christ fulfilled prophecies? Because it means that God keeps His promises. The creator God, maker of heaven and earth, wants to have a relationship with us so badly that He sent His only son to die on a cross in our place. And because of this, God promised that we would live in eternity with Him if we only believe in Christ’s sacrifice. Reflect today on all that God promises you through the birth of His son. Doesn’t that make you glad?

Brad Livingston, FBC Lay Leader, guest blogger

 

Re:Verse reading – Matthew 1:18 – 2:15, 19-23 (day six)

In the very first paragraph of this passage, we learn that Mary, the virgin that was to be married, was pregnant. We don’t know how Joseph found out, but he did. Can you imagine the pain and humiliation that he must have felt upon learning his future bride was with child? Marriage is such a beautiful promise of all that is good and pure. What a shock that he was now getting damaged goods (or so he thought).
But Instead of lashing out on Facebook or exposing her on Jerry Springer, Joseph thought about Mary’s feelings and then contemplated. Imagine how many of your tough situations would have turned out different if your first action was to contemplate. Today, reflect on how you have responded in the past to situations that were hurtful or embarrassing. Were you quick to get defensive, lash out, or try to save face? Were you more interested in preserving your image or caring about the other person? Let’s respond like Joseph – slow, deliberate, careful, and with others in mind.

Brad Livingston, FBC Lay Leader, guest blogger

 

Re:Verse reading – Matthew 1:18 – 2:15, 19-23 (day four)

What’s in a name? In this case, quite a lot! The name, “Jesus,” is the Greek form of another well known name, “Joshua.” Joshua means, “The Lord saves.” What’s in a name? In the name “Jesus,” we see a declaration of God’s salvation. The God who promised to “redeem Israel from all their sins” (Psalm 130:8) is bringing the long-hoped for salvation. But that’s not all. Do you remember the other famous “Joshua” in the Bible? God appointed Joshua to be the leader of the people of Israel who would defeat Israel’s enemies. God’s great promise to Joshua was “I will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). In this Joshua, we see that God’s presence and God’s salvation go together. The same is true of the “Joshua” whom we remember at Christmas. What’s in a name? In the name “Jesus,” we have a constant reminder that God’s presence and salvation go together.

Josh Vaughan, Minister to Young Married Adults and Yes, Lord! Ministries, guest blogger