Scott Lane

Litmus

Re:Verse passage – 2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18 (day five)

“because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;”

As we think about “growing” in our faith this week, Paul gives a specific indicator of spiritual growth and maturity. It is a litmus test for the progress and authenticity of discipleship. Here’s how Websters defines litmus test: “a decisive indicator that evaluates the true nature, quality, or authenticity of someone or something based on a single factor.”
Not only Paul, but John also echos that love for other believers is a clear sign of the presence and activity of God in the life of believers. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14). This is not only a New Testament concept. David also writes in Psalms, “As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.” 16:3
Our actions and attitudes toward other believers indicate and testify to spiritual growth as well as the presence of Christ in our lives and hearts. Is it clearly evident (to ourselves and others) that we love other believers? And is it clearly evident that our love for one another is dynamic in that it is growing (deepening)? Do we “pass this litmus test”?

Delighting in Christ’s people is normal, healthy Christianity.”- Donald Whitney

Clearly

Re:Verse passage – Mark 1:4-5, 9-11; Acts 8:9-13, 34-39 (Day Five)

When was the last time you clearly saw God at work? May I suggest that every time we witness a person following Christ in believer’s baptism, we clearly see God at work. God has not only saved them from their sins, but He has also continued that work (Philippians 1:6) calling and leading them to take the next step in their faith walk- baptism.

Maybe all of us need to be reminded that God is still at work growing His Kingdom. Maybe all of us need to be reminded of the sermon that each person being baptized is preaching: Salvation has come by the grace of God (Titus 2), and that baptism portrays that we have died with Christ and have been raised with Him (Romans 6).

Maybe we all need to remember what new and fresh faith feels like- the honesty and vulnerability on display to publicly profess and testify about our faith in Christ. Maybe we need to remember names, faces, and relationships that were a part of our faith story (2 Timothy 3:14).

So, the next time you see a baptism:
Will you be reminded?
Will you remember?
Will you rejoice?
God is clearly at work!!

Honest Conversation

Re:Verse passage – John 3:1-9 (day four) How does our Re:Verse passage make you feel? Hopeful? Inquisitive? Confused? Relieved? Nicodemus exhibits some of these emotions.

We are privy to his honest conversation with Jesus. We get to see and sense the savior’s heart and kindness towards those who are genuinely seeking Him. Jesus demonstrates patience, gentleness and truthfulness to Nicodemus. Don’t leave out the last one. Above all else, even bringing confusion and tension, Jesus points to and tells Nicodemus the truth.

For me, I tend to feel alarmed. Here’s one of the most religious men that you will ever meet. A devout knower and keeper of the scriptures. A religious leader. He was extremely religious but not redeemed- born again. Had tons of scriptural knowledge. Knew and followed the scriptures devoutly. Yet, he was NOT a believer. Jesus hones in on it from the start. It’s a warning that we all must heed. This rebirth and new life happens internally. In the heart- a place where priorities, values, actions and attitudes are formed. Leading to trust and surrender. Nicodemus had missed it. What he had in his head and his mind had not transformed his heart.

But, I am also encouraged that Jesus goes straight to the truth that Nicodemus must hear and wrestle with- being born again. When I am confused or am unaware of God’s truth and wisdom, I am encouraged that God through His Spirit will challenge and confront me with the truth I must trust and follow. My honest conversations these days are in large part, daily asking and begging the Lord to patiently and constantly show me the truth and wisdom I must follow and obey. What about you? Are you willing to have an honest conversation with the Lord? Will you listen to the truth He will speak?

Intentional, Powerful, and Relational

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26 (day five) I love the picture of faith formation and growth in the Acts 18 passage. It is powerful, intentional, and relational. It is happening at work, home, and church. I wonder and pray about conversations and observations between parents and their children from these past two weeks (VBS and Youth Camp). I know of children and teenagers who will go into their homes where not everyone is a believer. They will be the catalysts that God will use to cause a “household” to believe. I know of many parents determined to influence and deepen faith in their homes. Creating and carving out moments for biblical and spiritual conversations and teaching is a monumental task. I know of workplaces where believers work, serve, and witness together.
Would you describe your faith in these places and contexts as intentional, powerful, and relational? Paul seemed optimistic and confident as he was always looking for and aware of, people and places for new life and growth. May we be just as hopeful and determined that our faith can flourish in these places with our family, church body, and coworkers as well.

He Who Has Ears

Re:Verse passage – Luke 14:25-35 (day five

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Jesus says these words seven times in the gospels and again seven more times in the book of Revelation. Of all the senses, hearing is the one that affords the best opportunity to transform hearts and lives. Words have a preeminent value in God’s economy. We serve a God who speaks. Who created the universe by using words. Who reveals Himself and His plan for salvation and sanctification through words. The scriptures tell us “faith comes from hearing.” The real battle for our hearts and souls is fought using words- written and spoken. Why? “Whom you hear with delight today will be who you become more like tomorrow.”- David Mathis

Whose voice — whether through audio or written words or video, or old-fashioned face-to-face talk — whose voice is most regularly streaming into your ears, and going down into your soul? Whose voice captures your finite attention, and focuses you, or distracts you? Which voices do you long to hear most? Whose words are you welcoming most to enter into your soul, to sow seeds of life — or death? Whom do you welcome into that intimate space that is your ear?

Our discipleship and spiritual growth will be mainly fueled by words. Let those who have ears be intentional and disciplined to not only listen, but hear the life giving and life changing words of the Lord. “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬

More Hope than Trouble

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 93:1-5 (day five)
We end our study in the Psalms with two great truths: The Lord Reigns and The Floods Roar (lift up their voice and waves). God’s throne is set side by side with the sea (vs 4). Makes us feel small and not in control (of either). Most of us don’t like that at all. Yet, here we are, small and in the midst of two great truths- neither of which we can predict or regulate. What I notice about this Psalm- there’s no first person. No human mention. These are both larger and longer truths and realities. God’s sovereignty (Throne) and evil/suffering (floods/sea).

However, one is immeasurably greater than the other. The Throne and Sea are seen again side by side in the Scriptures. Revelation 4. The sea looks completely different. Completely conquered. Does that bring assurance and hope? It should. There is always more hope than trouble found in the scriptures. There will always be both. But we will always need to be reminded of the eternal hope and power of the Lord.
“God’s sovereignty is not the stuff of controversy, it’s the stuff of worship.”- Matt Mason

Know

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 46:1-11 (day five)

What’s the plan or action step we can take when life gets hectic? When we sense and see a world spinning out of control, what do we do? When we are caught up in confusion, calamity, or uncertainty, what helps us?

In this Psalm the only direction given to the reader is to stop striving. Other versions will translate our action step “be still”. Seems counterintuitive doesn’t it? We in our humanness and finiteness want to work on it or fix it- Remove (on our own) the tension and terror we often feel. What is it that we are to learn or know about God? I went through this Psalm and circled the answers to this question. I often read verse one, but then get quickly caught up and frazzled by the next 2 verses. Perhaps the wisdom we can gain is differentiating what we feel from what we know. God is a refuge and strength. We have experienced it (if no other time, certainly when we were born again). He is a present help. He is with us. He is a stronghold. Do you KNOW these things to be true?

The Long Game

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 77:1-20 (day five)
The struggle is real. The questions are honest. The doubt is tangible. But the meditation is balanced. The promises of God, the character of God, the actions and activities of God, the suffering we encounter and experience, the abandonment and isolation we sometimes feel, and the skepticism we have are not mutually exclusive. They go together. They live in tension with each other. The psalmist holds on to both sides. It is work. It is hard. It is the long game. And that is how time and perspective are portrayed in the Kingdom of God (eternal). What we feel and what we know are sometimes compatible, and other times at odds with each other.
I like Tim Keller’s words about this tension, “When we meditate, we work the truth down until it affects the heart. This is the key to handling difficulty. The psalmist is not just being stoic and gritting his teeth till the storm passes. Nor is he simply venting his feelings. He redirects his thoughts and feelings towards the truth about God… This is not the work of a moment, and learning it takes a lifetime”.

From This Time Forth

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 113:1-9 (day five)

“Blessed be the name of the Lord From this time forth and forever.”
Is there ever a time or moment when God could/should not be praised? Not according to Psalm 113. Maybe asking that same question in a positive perspective would be better. When could/should God be praised? According to Psalm 113, always. The intent of the psalmist is to Bless/Praise the Lord always (moving forward). He then describes life from two extremes. When the world seems right… God is on His throne. He is in charge and ruling with keen awareness. When the world seems broken… there is suffering, sadness, and hardship. Each extreme and all of life in between, offer opportunities and perspectives to see and experience the power and presence of God. When all I see is the difficult and the demands of life, I could/should praise Him for His promised presence. When I can’t or don’t, that says more about me than Him. If He really is worthy, then maybe like the psalmist, we should be more intent and determined to Praise Him and Bless Him “from this time forth.” I wonder what life would look like and feel like if we did. I really want to find out! Praise God!!

Then Sings My Soul

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 96:1-13 (day five) Isn’t it interesting that the Psalmist directs the readers to sing? Not write a poem. Not draw a picture. Not make a resolution or commitment. Not journal. (Let me pause and say these are all good and healthy ways to discover, process and apply, any revelation that God gives to us. God has used all these and many more means to help me grow closer and strengthen my relationship with Him.) In this case, just sing. Singing is different. There is a recalibration, affection, and intensity found in singing. There is something about verbally hearing truths, praise, and feelings pour out of our mouths and bodies. There is an audible component found in our singing that is distinctive to us. Our voice. Our conviction. Our testimony. Our sound. Our experience. Our faith. Our memories. Our priorities. Our observations. Our personal expression. That’s why this kind of song is a “New Song”- it is unique to each one of us. Will you look, listen, read, and ponder God’s Glory? Then with your own voice and from your own experience, will you sing? Out loud? Just for you and the Lord to hear.
It will echo the experience of Carl Boberg- his reaction and response to God’s glory and creation… “Then sings my soul,”