Scott Lane – Page 27 – The Everyday Prayer

Reminder

Re:Verse passage – Colossians 1:9-14 (day five) “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness”‭. I had a professor in college who used to say, “You’ll never know how saved you are until you know how lost you were”. According to Paul’s description in Colossians 1, it was a bleak and hopeless circumstance- a domain of darkness.

As teenagers, we used to play a joke on one member of our group every time we would sing Amazing Grace (Not one of my better moments). When we would sing the first verse, we would all pick one person and sing “that saved a wretch like YOU” (all of us pointing at them). It was really funny to me, until one Sunday I was the one who was singled out as “the wretch”. It was a defining moment. Not because I felt picked on or targeted, but because I knew (maybe with greater clarity and conviction) it was true about me. I was a wretch. I needed rescue from the domain of darkness. Even as a nine year old. That’s the good news and power of the Gospel. A reminder of how lost we were will help us be thankful for how saved we are.

Grace and Peace

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

Paul writes “Grace” and “Peace” in his greeting to the Colossians. A mixture of both Greek and Hebrew words and thoughts. Worth noting- different Greek word for grace is used, that points to the work of God. The Hebrew concept of peace was not the absence of trouble, but rather peace is a sense resulting from having been in the presence of God. Notice the order (important in Greek writing). Grace then Peace. Paul is pointing out that as we understand and recognize the work of God through Christ in our lives, we then experience the peace His work and presence brings. The temptation is to try to find peace in other places- material, social, intellectual, and spiritual. Paul is teaching that peace- real peace, is found only thru God’s grace in Christ- a wonderful greeting, important reminder, and a joyful celebration.

Insecurity and Uncertainty

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 28:18-20 (day five)

We tend to complicate things with our insecurity and uncertainty. We then wrestle with questions and doubt.

The disciples were still processing all that had recently happened- Jesus’ trial, death, burial, resurrection. I’m sure there remained a thousand questions in their hearts and minds. Yet, they trusted and obeyed Jesus when He told them to go to Galilee. And once there, Jesus gives them one final exhortation. And what they did, we must do (even in the midst of insecurity and uncertainty)- they believed Him- at several levels. 1) His words were true. (He did have the authority to send them) 2)They could do what He had challenged them to do. (They were to make a global impact with the gospel) 3) He could and would do what He promised. (be with them every step of the way)

We have everything we need to trust and obey the great commission: the Holy Spirit, the scriptures, and our testimony. It’s time to trust and obey.

Equal

Re:Verse passage –Matthew 22:35-39 (day five)

The desire for safety, friendship, love, significance, and purpose is very strong in the human heart. God has created these longings in us so that we might find them through a relationship with Him. And Jesus takes us a step further in the application and expression of our “self-love”. He teaches that our longing and desire for these things should match or equal (His word-as) our longing and desire for those around us (neighbors) to find and have these things as well. This is a radical perspective. Jesus convicts and challenges us to understand that our own desires and needs are best met in our love for the Lord. And when the Lord meets those needs, we then must have an equal passion and burden (His word-love) to serve, minister, and help others to find the same with God.

“He (Jesus) is commanding that our self- love, which has now discovered its fulfillment in God-love, be the measure and the content of our neighbor-love.”- John Piper

Trust and Lust

Re:Verse passage –Exodus 20:17 (day five)

“You shall not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

The tenth commandment boils down to trust and lust. Do I trust God that God has, can, and will meet my needs? There is a past, present, and future perspective in being content. Once we can recognize and remember God’s faithfulness, kindness, and graciousness, it helps us in being presently content and less anxious about the future (a place where coveting is birthed) . Perhaps a thankfulness inventory or a list of God’s blessings would be a good place to start today.

If our thoughts and desires lead us to look and crave the qualities or possessions of others instead of God Himself, we are gazing in the wrong direction, and have misplaced our affection for the wrong things. In my mind, this resembles lust- craving the wrong things from the wrong source. Our hearts and minds must be directed to the Lord in prayer, obedience, and worship to the one Who has an unlimited supply of grace, love, forgiveness, riches, and wisdom. We should trust His promises in our contentment, and look only to Him to meet all our needs- physical, social, spiritual, and emotional.

Grounded in God’s Character

Re:Verse passage – Exodus 20:16 (day five)

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

Each of these commandments teach us something about God and about His design for man to live for His glory.

What does the ninth commandment teach us about God? We learn quickly that only a God of truth can expect and prescribe truthful behaviors from His created beings. I love how John 1 describes this facet of God’s (Jesus’) nature. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

How can we glorify God by being truthful? The ninth commandment demands that our communication and relationships be grounded in the very character of God (truth). When they are, we become salt and light in our culture and communities. God is then glorified. “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬

Love for God and Neighbors

Re:Verse passage –Exodus 20:15 (day five)

“You shall not steal.”

Theft reveals a lack of faith in God and a lack of love for our neighbor.

If we do trust in God’s promise and capability to supply all our needs, then there could be no reason to steal. Theft by a believer in any fashion is a sin against God and His providence.

If stealing evidences an absence of love (trust) for God, it also demonstrates a disregard for loving our neighbor. Martin Luther says we break the eighth commandment whenever we take “advantage of our neighbor in any sort of dealing that results in loss to them”.

Jesus summed it up: We must love the Lord with fierce determination. We must also love our neighbors with compassion and graciousness.

Focus and Attention

Re:Verse passage – Exodus 20:14 (day five)

“You shall not commit adultery.”

Having sex is not the only way to commit adultery. Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:28 move the line between “safe and sin” even further away from physical intimacy. “but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Yet how many times do we feel like we need to know exactly where the line is between right and wrong. Often the question that accompanies this train of thought is, “How far is too far?” Let’s be honest enough to admit we ask it in all kinds of different circumstances that relate to many different kinds of sins.

The problem with this question is that it’s the wrong question to ask. When we ask this question, our attention and focus are directed toward the sin. Maybe a better question to ask is, “How close can I get to the Lord?” When we ask this question our attention and focus are aimed at the Savior. Let’s ask the right questions.

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:2-3‬

Learning

Re:Verse passage –Exodus 20:13 (day five)

You shall not murder. It seems to be pretty simple and straightforward. So, why include it? Isn’t this a given by any moral code? Can anybody argue that the unlawful killing of an innocent life is ok? Don’t we all know at some level, killing is wrong?

The sixth commandment helps teach us about God, and ourselves. We learn about God’s sovereignty. As the creator and giver of life, He is sovereign over life and death. Killing someone displaces God from His throne and this role, and thus inserts the human murderer on the throne- Not where man was designed to be. God is serious about His sovereignty.

The sixth commandment is also a sincere affirmation and encouragement of human life. If humans were not important to God, then why have this commandment? In fact, this commandment serves as a compliment to the human race. Each personally and intricately created person has been made in God’s image. Each life is precious and significant.

This is why killing is a big deal to God. Lots at stake, lots to learn!

Each/All

Re:Verse passage –Exodus 20:12 (day five) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.”

There is a sense that the 10 Commandments were given to each of the Israelites. Each person will be accountable for their obedience to these commandments. However, there is also a sense where God is giving the commandments to all of the Israelites. The applications and promises extend to the whole Hebrew nation. Their time in the land God has given them will be cut short by disobeying this 5th commandment in particular but this principle applies to all the commandments because God takes disobedience seriously. The “promise” with the 5th commandment is not a promise of personal blessing, but rather the blessing of a people who honor God’s leadership and guidance (learned and instilled with their Father and Mother). Those chosen people will become a light to the nations- a nation to reach the nations. See Exodus 19:6. Think it’s just an Old Testament promise? Look at 1 Peter 2:9.