Scott Lane

Identity

Re:Verse passage – Luke 8:1-15 (day five)

“The sower went out to sow his seed;”

It seems like a “no-brainer” to say or think that a sower is gonna sow. But there comes a moment or occasion for action and engagement. The interesting thing to me, is that the sower knows exactly who he/she is and understands that their identity is tied to their activity. A decision or determination was made to “sow”, because that’s who they are.

I wonder how well believers understand their/our identity as believers- who we are and how that correlates in to our attitudes and actions. Let’s mention a few: We are worshippers. We are witnesses. We are followers. We are disciples (learners). We are servants. We are members (family/body). So, if identity correlates to activity, what should we be doing because of who we are? Learning? Witnessing? Worshipping? Etc.

If there is a disconnect, is it in the understanding of identity, or the absence of activity? Lord, show us/remind us, who we are and help us live that out faithfully!!

Living is Building

Re:Verse passage – Luke 6:46-49 (day five) Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like.
Jesus concludes His lengthy sermon with a parable. He brilliantly places humans into 2 groups. Wise builders and foolish builders. Don’t miss what He is teaching. Every person is a builder. To live is to build. And construction happens every day. Each life is a house- values, priorities, character, temperament, perspective, choices, dedication, determination, and decisions. All of these can be formed and framed by obedience to the Lord as a result of an intimate and vibrant relationship with Him (Lord, Lord). Jesus also teaches not only are we are all builders, but the storms of life hit all of us too- trials, tragedy, temptation. They’re Sudden. Intense. Forceful.
We all will experience and feel the storms. Yet in a life (house) whose foundation is built on the Rock, there is a sense of safety, peace, hope, and strength (during and after the storm). Takes time and work (like digging)- Listening, Learning, Obeying. We must build daily and regularly.
Slowly and surely, the house comes together.

Advent Answer

Re:Verse passage – Luke 5:33-39 (day five)

Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?”

Isn’t Jesus’ answer to the Pharisee’s question remarkable? In His question (answer) back to them, Jesus emphasizes the mission and ministry of His Father. As we think about this season of Advent, we understand that Jesus’ coming over 2000 years ago, was the promise that God would send Emmanuel (God with us). In addition, not only the ministry of God, but the mission of God- to bring Peace and Joy to the human heart. The angels declared “good tidings of great joy- which shall be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Does your heart feel the celebration that Christ came to bring? Like a wedding! No need to fast right now (because of this news)- the Savior has come to be with “all the people” (you and me) and bring to them (us) a cause and desire to celebrate His presence now with us and in us because of the indwelling Holy Spirit and His provision of salvation.

God with us, God restoring sin-filled and broken human hearts with the joy and forgiveness of the Gospel. That’s the Good News of the Advent season.

God’s Design

Re:Verse passage – James 5:19-20 (day five)

“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,” Does it make you uncomfortable to fathom that you might get “off track” in your faith? Have there been moments or seasons when you/we “strayed from the truth” in either doctrine or behavior? Part of God’s design for the Christian life is to live it in community- with other believers- to be vulnerable and transparent with one another. God uses other believers to encourage, correct, and restore faith. Has He done that to you? Through you? Do you have those kinds of believers in your life? If so, will you thank them? If not, will you find them?

“If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4

Anyone

Re:Verse passage – James 5:12-18 (day five)

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.

Were YOU encouraged by the ReVerse passage this week? Did you sense that you were welcomed and encouraged to experience grace, strength, and help?

God’s invitation to seek and find Him through prayer and praise is not just for the “Super Saints” it’s for Anyone. It’s for YOU, it’s for ME. We are on this invitation list. There is help! There is encouragement! There are promises! For Anyone!!

Activity

Re:Verse passage – James 5:7-11 (day five)

“Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”

I am by nature a visual learner, meaning that often times I can understand or grasp a truth or principle if I can see it or visualize it. I suspect I am not alone. Our Re:Verse passage this week has helped me see (in James’ word pictures) that patience is not an inactive or idle task. Whether in waiting or suffering, patience goes hand in hand with activity. While the farmer waits for the rain, he still must work and tend the land. Weeds removed. Fertilizer added. Patience while waiting requires me to tend my heart (the soil of the gospel).

Patience while suffering looks like activity. See what the prophets did? They spoke the Word of God. When I suffer, I can do the same thing. First, I can speak the promises and character of God to myself, then by His grace I can share it with others.

Whether I’m waiting and/or suffering, James shows me what I can do. I can work and serve, I can preach and teach (to myself and others). Thank you, Lord for your helpful pictures and wisdom!

Economy

Re:Verse passage – James 5:1-6 (day five) “Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.” God’s economy is so different than the human economy we find here on earth. Those materials we store and hoard on earth as valuable treasures, God uses to adorn gates and pave roads in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21).
Like a “dangerous curve ahead sign” James warns all who travel the road of life on earth (believers and non-believers) that danger may be lurking for those who are so self-focused (attaining and maintaining wealth) that they pay no attention to their surroundings (a gracious and generous God, people created in His image, and an eternal existence where being in relationship and in the presence of God is all that will matter). James warns that wealth and riches can place on a path where grave danger lies ahead. Do you see the sign?? Check your surroundings- your heart, your relationships, your priorities.

Planners and Diaries

Re:Verse passage – James 4:13-17 (day five)

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?”

Which 2 books give accurate descriptions of our lives? May I suggest planners (calendars) and diaries. One book (planner) is the accurate picture of how our time is spent, and used- activities, priorities, busyness, sabbath, business, family. Looking through its pages will shed light on how we have planned and managed our time.

The other book (our diaries) gives insight to the people, personalities, and relationships that matter most- questions, concerns, experiences, struggles, feelings, insights, lessons learned, prayers, and convictions. Pastor James is teaching these believers that both time and life is more about the Lord than anything else. That there is a healthy balance that recognizes God’s sovereignty, our finiteness, and the actions and attitudes we must possess.

The Lord who holds time in is hand is also writing the narrative of our story. He is in control!!

Work and Grace

Re:Verse passage – James 4:1-12 (day five)

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Did you ever imagine that being a believer would be so difficult? Require so much discipline and diligence? Demand so much effort and intensity? That it would be… work? Well, God did. It’s all throughout scripture, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”.

Why is it so difficult? James answers that in verses 1-4 in our Re:Verse passage this week (it’s you and it’s me). If the Christian life is hard (because of us), it is also heavenly, because of the grace of God. The limitless, inexhaustible, fresh, and generous grace of God.

I was blown away by the words of Alec Motyer this week: … (God) does not see the inexhaustible supply of grace as sweeping us along to an effortless holiness…The benefits of grace and more grace are ours along the road of obedience and more obedience. The God who says, ‘Here is my grace to receive’ says in the same breath ‘Here are my commands to obey.’

What an amazing economy. The God who knows well the weaknesses and liabilities of the human mind and heart, generously gives a greater supply of Grace.

Visible

Re:Verse passage – James 3:13-18 (day five) “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
How do you control your tongue? (that part of our bodies James previously describes as dangerous and potentially destructive) The question that James ushers to our minds in the previous verses in chapter 3, is answered in our Re:Verse passage this week.

Answer: Wisdom.

I love James’ perspective on this seemingly abstract subject. In his teaching, wisdom is not abstract it is tangible and visible. It can be “shown”. Wait! What? Yes! Wisdom is meant to be seen before it is heard. There can be evidence of wisdom. James teaches that this evidence is ultimately behavioral rather than intellectual. Knowledge and understanding are important but are clearly demonstrated (according to James) by “good life” and “humility”. Wanna find wisdom (from teachers/leaders/friends? Look before you listen.