Re: Verse reading–1 Peter 1:13-25; 2:1-10 (day two)
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy Nation a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” In the very true nature of the God’s wonderfully complex story this is another example of how His ways are not ours. It is so easy to look at the the descriptors in that sentence (chosen, royal, holy) and get an elevated sense of worth. We see fame as a lofty exalted thing to which many aspire, and all admire. However by the end of the sentence it is clear that is not how we are to use God’s favor. We have been made this wonderful things for a purpose; to proclaim the greatness of our God. If we are given a chosen position it should only serve to elevate the one who placed us there. Give Him the glory for your life today, and take whatever opportunity is presented and proclaim His excellencies so that others may come from darkness to light.
Author: Aaron Hufty
New Heart
Re: Verse reading–1 Peter 1:1-12 (day two)
I was reading this morning the words of the Prophet Jeremiah who spoke of hearts that are beyond cure. (Jer. 17:9) A very grim assessment, but so very true. Where then is our hope if we are beyond cure? “In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection.” (1 Pet. 3) This isn’t about fixing what is broken, it is about newness of life. We are granted a new heart that longs to know Christ more. This doesn’t absolve us from suffering or the refining of our sin nature, but with a new Spirit guiding us, we now have the Hope we could never have with our diseased former hearts. Press On.
Entertaining Angels
Re:Verse reading-Hebrews 12:25-29; 13:1-9, 20-21 (day two)
“Let the love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Sounds like quite a dinner party doesn’t it? As I re-read this text I am convicted that this has less to do with some overt act of benevolence as it does understanding the nature of humanity. We all have the privilege of bearing the image of God, it is simply a truth of how we were made. Regardless of the vile corrupt nature of our hearts, we were all made to reflect the beauty of God’s image. Therefore, it comes down to Christ’s greatest command, “Love”. We do not love because others think like us, or act a certain way, have the means to help us, or vote like us, no, it is more grand than any of those reasons. It is because they bear the image of Christ, and whether or not they acknowledge that truth does not absolve us from understandings God’s great design for us all. Think on this as you meet someone today, you are meeting more than an angel. You are meeting an image-bearer.
Joy Beyond the Cross
RE Verse reading-Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (days two) “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right and of the throne of God.”
Consider Love
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day two)
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Heb. 10:23-24
Because the Lord is faithful we can rest confidently in hope; what a comforting and reassuring verse, but it is the next sentence that call us to action. How often do we consider how we can move others towards love and good deeds. The hope that we have found in Christ is not ours alone to hoard away for a rainy day. After we have secured hope we should move to share it with others. Can you imagine how this can change the way Christians communicate with the world? Not just non-believers, but everyone! Because you have found hope today, consider love.
Press on to Maturity
Undercover Boss
Pay Attention
Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 1:1-6,14; 2:1-4 (day two)
I love figuring things out. It drives my wife crazy, because I expect everyone to think like I do. It’s particularly challenging for her during movies when I lean over and offer my thoughts on the outcome. (I’m a work in progress.) The writer of Hebrews, however, thinks like me….at least in regards to our Faith journey. The context clues of our Creator lie all around us. We are all called to salvation and the Lord has provided such excellent witnesses for us; think of scripture, the wisdom of our godly elders, the Holy Spirit, and the marvel of creation. Take a minute to get your head up, look around and pay attention. The Lord has something to say to you today!
Handel and Hope
Re: Verse reading–1 Corinthians 15:3-20, 35-44, 50-57 (day two)
Severe truth. In order to understand the power of the resurrection, we must understand its context. Paul said it in the first century “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Corinthians 15:14). In the twentieth century C.S. Lewis said it like this: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic–on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg–or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.” (Mere Christianity)
I, therefore, choose to believe that Christ was raised from the dead, and I choose to believe that he was indeed the Son of God. Which means that Jesus’ choice to face the cross was so that we could become a fulfillment of a promise. That the corrupt could now put on incorruption, that the mortal could clothe ourselves with immortality in an eternity that brims with hope. As I read through these words of Paul it helps me marvel once again at what Christ took on so that we could have that hope.
On Sunday it will be a privilege to share portions of the great sacred oratorio Messiah. 1 Corinthians 15 was the subject of the most triumphant portion of the work. The miracle of the creation of Messiah was less the time it took to create the masterpiece, but the recognition by the composer that God was at work and bringing glory unto Himself. Thanks be to God.
You’re not Done Yet!
Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 34 (day two)
Although Moses wasone hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.
Talk about running your race well! Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit where we were able to hear the hearts of some truly Godly leaders on a variety of subjects. At the end of the summit we were introduced to the “new” head of the international arm of the organization. As he began his new position he was 70 years old, and in his opening remarks he said, “if you’re not dead, you’re not done.” This was certainly the case with Moses, who to the end was leading, teaching, and listening. He knew that the end of his earthly journey would not be the end of the journey for God’s chosen, so he continued to serve. Eventually we will all slow our pace with regards to work and career, but we should all look to Moses’ example for service in the Kingdom. We may all not have undimmed vision or unabated vigor, but we can still serve. What leg of the journey are you currently on? Stay in the race!