Danny Panter – Page 42 – The Everyday Prayer

Rest

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 1 (day six)

The book of Joshua is a remarkable history, and it begins with a rousing introduction from God himself! The promise of presence and great success to Joshua, but most of all, the promise of rest to the Israelites in a land of their very own, indeed a kingdom. The Israelite people were no doubt desperate for rest and peace after forty years wondering in the desert and four hundred more as slaves in Egypt. And God would provide it to them, he would fight their battles, and lead them Joshua’s faithful leadership.

It is a picture of the Gospel. To the Church belong the promises of God made possible by the new covenant in Jesus’ blood. We are co-heirs with Jesus, and ours is not only the forgiveness of sin, but full restoration and rest in a new heaven and a new Earth. Aren’t you desperate for true rest (a life without sin)? I am. By God’s grace let’s continue to shake off the shackles of sin and press on in the hope of our future eternal rest as sons and daughters of God.

Disciples Making Disciples

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20 (day six)

Have you ever made a disciple of Jesus? Jesus makes himself clear that we are to go and make disciples. It is not really a recommendation or a suggestion, it is a command. It is a command that rests on his authority as the resurrected Son of God. The very existence of His church today is evidence that the disciples obeyed this great commission. What if the hope of this nation (and every nation) is not the next elected president, but His church (that’s us at FBCSA) obeying this command today? The truth is you were elected over two thousand years ago to be a disciple who makes disciples.

Do you know how to do that? It’s probably time we all learn. I’m in, are you?

The Death of Death

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 27:32-54 (day six)

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” Matthew 27:51-53

Matthew paints for us a powerful picture of the cataclysmic effect the Cross had on all of human history, past, present and future. It was universe shaking. The great curtain secluding the Holy of Holies was rendered in two, the ground shook and rocks split, and the dead rose again! Nothing would ever be the same! Jesus had declared to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life!” And in the span of three days Jesus made that a reality, not only for himself, but for all who would believe. Sin and death was shaken to its core and witnessed the foreshadowing of its own death, while all the faithful, then up to now, experience righteous restoration and new life! What a beautiful destiny of seismic magnitude: the death of death and new life!

Words

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 26:47-50, 57-66; 27:11-26 (day six)

It was a loud mess, a cacophony of voices, some hushed and others loud, as Jesus was paraded into Caiphas’ courtyard in the middle of the night. It went from courtyard to courtroom with the raising of the high priest’s hand; everyone went silent, and every eye on Jesus. The silence lasted for only a moment when one, then two began to make accusation against Jesus in disjointed coordination, as if they had rehearsed what they would say. Three. Four. Ten. A pause and then ten more just the same. Each pause was followed by feverish anticipation of what this man might say in his defense. As if to raise the stakes and rouse a response, each accusation became more outlandish than the next.

Silence. And yet without even a word his very presence spoke with authority, and they felt it, and hated him for it.

He would eventually speak, making a declaration rather than a defense. His words, albeit few, sealed his fate. Their plan was working, so they thought; they had sprung their trap. Little did they know that his words, which brought him condemnation and them triumph, played into the hand of a sovereign and gracious God. Words.

And He Didn’t Even Have a Portfolio

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 20:1-16 (day six)

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43

Truly, amazing! What grace! What generosity! Something incredible happened while Jesus hung on the Cross! A conversion took place; one of the convicted felons next to Jesus repented and believed. Jesus, on the spot, gave him a place in his Kingdom. No drug test, background check (that would have come back all-wrong), no references, and not even a request for him to reveal his “good works” portfolio, and yet Jesus says, “You, come with me. I have a place for you in my Kingdom for all eternity.”

Can you imagine the response of the chief priests, lawyers, and scribes if they could have overheard this declaration to a convicted, law-breaking, criminal? “Him, paradise?! Never! God surely would cast him out! He is nothing! A vagrant! He has done nothing worthy of God’s approval! If anyone deserves God’s approval, it would be us!”

When even the least of these, the last, say “yes” to Jesus, the fullness of God’s grace is theirs for the taking. They don’t even need a portfolio of “good works,” and neither do you.

Dying to Forgive

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 18:21-35 (day six)

Forgiveness, whether we receive it or give it, springs from the infinite well of grace and mercy dug deep by the death and resurrection of the Son! If that is true, and it is, consider this. As Jesus is teaching his listeners about the nature of the Kingdom of God and forgiveness, he knows that the very basis of that reality hinges or is founded on his death and resurrection. The Father cannot forgive, nor can we, without the tragedy and joy of the Cross!

Our reluctance to forgive, or closeted resentment, is no small thing, it is a rejection of the Gospel, and reaps only separation from God and others. So perhaps, the most practical fruit that the Gospel produces in us is forgiveness!

Hearing and Seeing Equals Fruit

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day six)

Have you ever stared and stared at one of those 3D holographic posters to no avail, only to walk away frustrated because the person next to you sees it immediately? And as you walk away they say, “What, you can’t see that? It practically jumps out at you.” Interestingly enough, parables are very similar. The truth is there, it’s right in front of you, if only you have eyes to see and ears to hear. So, parables either condemn or reveal great truth. They condemn those whose hearts are hardened to the truth and cannot see it, and reveal to those who are looking (asking, seeking, knocking) for the Kingdom of God.

So, how do you know if you see and hear with understanding? Well according to the parable of the sower, you can know by whether or not your life bares Kingdom fruit.

Cast Your Pearls

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day six)

I think one of the points of Jesus’ message in Matthew 7:1-6 is that, by all means, we should love and help our neighbor, we only are to do so with great humility and discernment. In fact that is exactly how Kingdom people conduct themselves; fully aware of their own need, they make an appeal to others to enter into the Kingdom, just like Jesus has done for them. He does signal to us that we should still use discernment when casting our pearls; we should not overly invest in those who consistently reject the Kingdom of God. But here’s the deal, the assumption is that Kingdom people cast their pearls, they give what is holy to their neighbors.

You might be surprised by how many people in your neighborhoods and communities are very open to talking about spiritual things, about the Kingdom of God. So by all means, cast Kingdom pearls to your neighbor ! In fact do unto others, as you would have them do unto you!

Kingdom Fixer Upper

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 6:19-34 (day six)

There is a lot to say about Jesus’ teaching about money, possessions, and the Kingdom of God, and all of it becomes real personal real fast. I’m not going to talk about any of that. Phew, right?! What I would like to say is this: Jesus is far more interested in restoration than judgement. The entire Sermon on the Mount is a beautifully rich invitation into the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:19-34, Jesus’ teaching on money, is no different. Jesus invites us to a little self-evaluation, and then says, “wouldn’t you rather live for the Kingdom of God?”

So, relax Jesus is not trying to clobber you, he is hoping to restore you! So, practice a little Holy Spirit-led self-evaluation, and ask for the grace to “seek first the Kingdom of God.”

Made for Kingdom Living

Re:Verse reading–Matthew 5:17-48 (day six)

We were made for Kingdom living.

Right away Jesus tells us the result of Kingdom living, “In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Jesus identifies for us the natural display of God in Kingdom living. When we live for the Kingdom as people of the Kingdom, God is exalted; all of creation sees God’s image in us. When we get back to the heart of the matter, loving God and others, the image of God in us illuminates everything around us, and that is real living, for we were made to do just that; we were made in the image of God. We were made for Kingdom living.