Author: Don Guthrie

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 4:12-22 (day one).  “When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.” (vs 12)  “From that time he began to preach.” (vs 17) It must have seemed like a strange choice.  To begin ministry in Galilee, the most secular part of the Jewish nation, the people most impacted by the Assyrian conquest generations earlier, the area furthest removed from Jewish orthodoxy and influence, was not what anyone would have recommended. “Galilee of the Gentiles” was what “proper” Jews called it.  They thought Galileans were worthless and disinterested prodigals. But light always shines in the darkness.  This will not be the only time that Christ reaches into the darkness to rescue people for whom others have lost hope.  Jesus does not see with unbelieving eyes.  Not places, not people.  He sees potential.  He sees the infinite possibilities of God.  May He give us eyes to see and courage to shine, even to people who look like unlikely candidates for the grace of God.

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–2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (day one)  “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness”.  (vs 8)  It is a rare story.  Judging from the encounter 14 years ago, visible/audible post-resurrection encounters with Christ weren’t everyday experiences, even for the Apostle Paul.  We must pay attention when the Lord does speak.  His power is made perfect (grows to full size, accomplishes its intended purpose) in a time of weakness!  We expect the opposite.  Progress for me looks like competence and strength and health and command of the situation.  Not for the Lord.  His purpose is deeper than my success and his power is never more effective than when I am weak, when I have no other choice than to surrender all expectations and demands, TO TRUST!  There is much to learn here for all of us.  This week as I am away, I will be praying for you (and for the guest bloggers).  Read deeply, dear friends.  This is powerful truth.

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:7-8,11-15 (day seven)  Today at FBC we will observe the Lord’s Supper.  I am always glad when we do.  Things are clearer when my eyes are on the cross.  In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul insists that the Lord’s Supper must be observed by a unified congregation.  Our reading today reminds that the unity required is larger than local.  It is solidarity with believers around the world.  As he encourages a “special offering” for Christians in Jerusalem, Paul remembers a line from Exodus 16 and the Manna story.  “He who gathered much did not have too much (because he shared), and he who gathered little had no lack (for the same reason)”  We are in this together!  May the services today in our church, and in churches around the world, bind our hearts to the Lord and to each other.  Having each other is just another reason we have to be thankful.  I will see you this morning and tonight for the Celebration of Gratitude.