Aaron Hufty – Page 61 – The Everyday Prayer

Our example

Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 11:18-23; 12:1-6; 17:14-18; 20:7-18 (day two)
I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.” Jeremiah 11:19

These words are strikingly familiar and as we continue to focus on the cross this season we see Jeremiah’s words reflected in Jesus’ journey. But what was the end game? Jesus knew the path that lay before Him, and more than that, He knew the victory that would ultimately come. Jeremiah’s faith was strong, but he did not share the divinity of Christ. We can benefit from both. We know, who know that victory is assured through Jesus, can look at Jeremiah’s story and gain hope. Hope that says there is a way out. We will most assuredly come to situations that seem desperate, but with our eyes fixed on Jesus, we know that the tree will continue to bear much fruit.

What is Pride Worth?

Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 18:1-12; 19:1-15 (day two)
I am going to bring on this city and the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words. (19:15) Is getting your way worth it? Jeremiah could not have been a popular figure when he delivered these words, but the reality is that the truth was painful. Maybe you know someone like this; unwilling to listen, bend their will, or repent. At times we even champion people with iron wills, but at what cost to their souls. We are not in a position to negotiate with God, we don’t have anything to bargain with. The arrogance that may work in a corporate setting will be smashed like a clay pot. We don’t have to be this way, God is offering to refine and shape up into His character if we will let go of ours.

Tough Words

Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 7:1-16 (day two)
“Stand in the gate of theLord’s house and proclaim there this word and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you of Judah, who enter by these gates to worship the Lord!’” 3 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. I cannot imagine that these were easy words to hear, but how difficult must they have been for Jeremiah to say? A reckoning was coming, it was needed and Jeremiah was the mouthpiece for the Lord. Jeremiah’s job was not to interpret or convert the words to flowery prose, he was to deliver them verbatim to the people of Israel. Somewhere along our journey we may fall into one of these categories. We may be the mouthpiece of the Lord, called to deliver a tough message. Or we may be Israel needing a severe course correction. Pray for the correct response to the Lord’s direction.

Qualifies the Called

Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 1 (day two)
“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” Have you said these words? Perhaps it wasn’t about being too young but rather not being qualified for the task to which the Lord has called you. Like Moses, Abraham, David and countless others before and since, Jeremiah voices the question of doubt. It is clear that God doesn’t need us, and yet he chooses to use us to accomplish his will on earth. That is an encouraging thought and more so when you think who he uses. Today remember when you doubt your purpose that he rarely calls the qualified, he just qualifies the called.

Stay With Us

Re: Verse reading – Luke 24:13-35 (day two)
“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them” Luke 24:28-29 What strikes me first about this great story is that although the disciples are kept from knowing who Jesus was, they were captivated by him. What does that tell us about the nature and character of Jesus? He was compassionate, he listened as they told them of the events of the past week. He was knowledgeable and able to teach as he explained the words of the Prophets. He was certainly compelling for they desired greatly for his company. Jesus drew people to himself even when they had no idea of his true nature, he does that still. So that they would truly know the fullness of the Prophets stories, the Lamb that was broken, broke bread with them and their eyes were opened. What a remarkable story.

Jesus the Curiosity

Re: Verse reading–Luke 22:66-71, 23:1-25 (day two)
Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. (vs. 8) Our of context this reading seems like a promising opportunity for Herod to have a genuine encounter with the Christ. I must confess that often when I read this or see depictions of Christ’s Passion, I always hope and pray someone will wake up and understand what they are doing. But, it had to happen this way. Herod was curious about this “conjurer of cheap tricks”. He was interested to see if Jesus would perform for him, and if so Herod might be persuaded release him. Does Jesus remain a curiosity for us? Do we treat him with any more reverence than Herod? Of course we have the words the feign reverence, and yet we still approach Jesus with an expectation that he will “help us out” when we are in a jam. Jesus saw Herod’s motivation, and would not play his game. He still sees our hearts and will not be treated as a puppet to perform.

Yes, But When?

Re: Verse reading–Luke 21:5-24 (day two)
“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place? Certainly first-century human nature still resonates 20 centuries later. If we are to endure hardship, we generally want to know when it’s coming. Makes sense, doesn’t it? How much time do we have to prepare? What do I have to do immediately? But Jesus knows our nature better than we do. He also knew/knows that if we were given a time and place we would also squander opportunities to love and serve. Dave Ramsey has a slogan in his Financial Peace University that says “Live like no one else so one day you can LIVE like no one else.” This is good financial stewardship, but it also make sense for how we govern our lives. We shouldn’t live with the fear of imminent doom, but with the joy that one day Christ will restore and redeem.

Listen

Re: Verse reading – Luke 20:1-8, 20-26 (day two)
If you have ever discipled a young believer about evangelism it is likely they asked a question like “what if someone asks me a question and I don’t know the answer?” This is a very earnest question that most of us have faced when sharing our faith at some point even to a contentious audience. As always we take our cue from Jesus. He knew what was happening and how almost any answer would trap him, but rather than play to their scheme he listened. He listened to the heart of those who questioned him. They were not seeking truth, they were seeking justification for their plot. Thanks be to God for the gift of discernment in these situations. We should continue to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the heart of the matter. Logic, doctrine, dogma, mean nothing if he who asks doesn’t have ears to hear. As we continue to share our faith pray that the Lord will reveal the words that will truly penetrate, and then listen.

He Looked Up In That Tree

Re: Verse reading – Luke 19:1-10 (day two)
When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” So what do you think they were expecting Jesus to do? How long do you think the crowd had been following him? Apparently not long enough to realize the house of a sinner is exactly where he would want to go. Zacchaeus was the object of most people’s derision due to his occupation and his business practices. That, however, was not what Jesus was interested in. Thanks be to God. How often do we look upon a person based on a preconception of their status or even an assessment of what we actually know of them? Moreover it also stands to reason that there are those among us that would look upon us with the same misguided criteria of worthy or unworthy. I’m so grateful that Jesus can look up in a tree and see none of that. My prayer today is that I look more with His eyes and far less with mine.

Treasure

Re: Verse reading–Luke 18:18-30 (day two)
The Sunday before Christmas we looked at Luke 12 and the parable of the Rich Fool who also decided to put treasure on things he could possess and hoard. Didn’t end well that time either. Pastor Don very shrewdly also included Luke’s version of the birth of the Christ-child. As Mary, surely still weary from a long journey and a delivery, saw the events unfold around her she made a choice; she treasured. The visit from the angel, the star, the shepherds, and the wise-men all came to adore this child. Her response was simple, she put her joy in her heart and to the Lord. No excuses for the condition of the barn or an apology to the Kings for the meekness of their clothes. She treasured this where it would be eternally valuable.