Scott Lane

A Very Present Help

Easter Re:Verse reading–John 20:1-18 (day five)

“They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

I love the unchangeable nature of God in this passage. Jesus- “the image of the invisible God” says and does exactly what is described and promised in Psalm 46. “God is… a very present help in trouble.”

‭In the midst of pain, sorrow, confusion, and uncertainty, Jesus comes close. He begins a conversation, and reveals Himself to Mary.

This is such good news: for those in need, for those who are troubled, for those who are confused, and for those who are burdened. Start the conversation with Him, search the scriptures, pour out your heart, listen and feel His promised presence and help. He is faithful! He is Risen!!

Re:Verse reading – 1 Samuel 13:1-14

Touch

Re: Verse reading—1 Samuel 9 & 10 (day five)

10:26 “Saul also went to his house at Gibeah; and the valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him.”

Don’t overlook the miracle. God touched their human hearts. God touches human hearts. Remember the testimony of the disciples on the Emmaus road? “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us?” It was not a holy persuasion. It was the Living Savior touching their hearts. He was that close.

Through His Holy Spirit, the Lord desires to touch us in that most personal, intimate and secret place- the core of our being, the location where values, priorities, and passions are formed- past all the layers to the center of our soul. He promises to be that close. We don’t need a just word or a glimpse. We need a touch! What if He did touch your heart? What would be the result? Will you pray, “God touch human hearts, beginning with mine”.

“Repentense”

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 7 (day five) vs. 12 Then Samuel took a stone…and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” True repentance helps us see and understand God more accurately in the three tenses. It’s in the name of the stone- Ebenezer “Thus far the Lord has helped us”. Only after they repented, the Israelites recognized: 1- God was helping in the past (thru sorrow, defeat, depression) 2- God is helping in the present (joy, deliverance, nearness) 3- God will help in the future (His nature, character, promises are un-changing). There was gratitude for the past. There was joy in the present. There was hope for the future.

Romans 2:4- The kindness of God leads you to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9- not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. Psalm 46:1- God is a very present help.

Anyone want/need that kind of perspective and hope? Repent and believe!!

Encourage and Empower

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 3 (day five)

Then Eli discerned that the Lord was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’“. Samuel comes with confusion and questions. Eli discerns that it IS the Lord. Yet doesn’t do the work for Samuel. He doesn’t shortchange Samuel by over explaining the situation. He doesn’t give him the answers. He doesn’t tell stories about his own glory days. He simply encourages and empowers Samuel to correctly listen and respond to the voice of the Lord.

This is a great example for parents and grandparents to follow. We must create a relationship and climate where there is freedom and opportunity for our kids and teenagers to ask questions. Then, we can empower and help our children to do the work of understanding and discovering the voice and guidance of the Lord. It could be a spiritual turning point for them as they grow and mature and begin to own their own faith. (See 1 Samuel 2:26)

Learning about Prayer

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 1 (day five)

Hannah’s faithfulness to pray and her approach to prayer can be helpful to us all.

There is praise in her prayer. She prays to the “Lord of Hosts”. Remember the scene in Luke 1 where the shepherds see and hear the Heavenly Host? (The Angel Armies of the Lord) In 1 Samuel 1:11, Hannah is praising God for His power and authority, the Lord of Hosts.

Hannah’s example is that praising God in prayer is needed and necessary. I sometimes leave that out in my personal prayer time and just share my heart. Big mistake. Praise helps calibrate my heart. Praise helps put me in my place and helps me see God in His proper place. Praise also fills me with awe- to think that I can talk with an all-knowing and all-powerful Father who invites me into relationship and communication with Him.

Try spending as much time and attention in praise as you do other parts of your prayer time. God will use it to help you.

Terrifying Thought

Re:Verse reading–Luke 24:1-12, 33-49 (day five)

There are several times mentioned that the disciples were scared, troubled, afraid, and confused. However, the most terrifying thought comes at the end of this passage in verse 45 (Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures). These were not new converts or people mildly interested in Jesus and His teaching. These were the close followers, the ones who didn’t drift away, the ones who left their nets. Yet, they still had not understood the scriptures and words of Jesus, even after three years of watching, listening, and walking with Jesus.

If their understanding was lacking and needed supernatural help and encouragement, then our own faith and understanding probably does too. Each and every time we read the scriptures, hear a sermon, or pray, we must ask and beg the Lord through the Holy Spirit to help us understand and apply the truth(s) God would have us realize and practice. “A humble and prayerful spirit will find a thousand things in the Bible which the proud self-conceited student will utterly fail to discern”- J.C Ryle

Hearts Ready to Respond

Re:Verse reading–Luke 23:1-27, 32-49 (day five) There is an interesting similarity and a dramatic contrast between Herod and the second thief on the cross. Both had heard the stories and testimonies of who Jesus was. Vs. 8 Now Herod was very glad when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him. Vs. 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” The words about Jesus had differing effects on their hearts. One’s heart was hardened and prideful, while the other’s was open and humbled. Jesus’ response to each of these men was drastically different. Silence to Herod. Salvation and promise to the thief.

As we engage and interact with our friends, neighbors, and others, we must look for hearts ready to respond to the testimony and gospel of Jesus. When we encounter those ready to respond, may we point them to the power and promises of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Hearing

Re: Verse reading–Luke 16:19-31 (day five)

‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

The message God has given us through the scriptures is enough for the human heart to hear and believe the saving call of our Heavenly Father. “From childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Jesus would interact with people preaching/teaching the scriptures. Not all would “hear” or even be interested. But there were some. He would then begin a more personal interaction with them.

Great strategy for us. Speak and share the message of the scriptures (Gospel, Biblical Truths). There will be some who are interested and want to know more. Continue the conversation. Invite them to trust and follow Christ. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Will you share so people can “hear”?

Heart Check

Re:Verse reading–Luke 15:1-2, 11-32 (day five)

The effects of sin are clearly portrayed in the heart and life of the younger son. His sin separates him (by his own choosing) from his father.

The older brother has sin he must deal with as well. The effects are more subtle, yet just as damaging. He was unable to see and sense the grace and kindness of his father. He perceived obstacles rather than opportunities. He demonstrated worry rather than worship. Without ever changing locations, he was just as “far away” from his father as the younger brother.

It’s time to examine our hearts (believers/older brothers)!! Do we still sense and see the grace and kindness of God at work in the world? Do we rejoice and worship when God saves and restores human hearts?

One Affects the Other

Re:Verse reading–Luke 7:36-50 (day five) The story of the Pharisee in Luke 7 starts off on a high note. He invites Jesus to eat at his house. This is gonna be a good night. Time with the savior, teaching from the Master, and the potential for life changing encounter. Yet, the great start quickly turns into a train wreck for the Pharisee. He has clearly missed it. Look at verse 39. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”
So, what happened? First and foremost, He didn’t understand who Jesus was. And in turn he couldn’t see the woman thru Jesus’ eyes. Interesting how one affects the other.

Before we have any hope or potential to see and love others as Jesus would want, we must acknowledge and understand at the deepest personal level who Jesus is and His love for the human race (begins with a sinner like me finding salvation and love- then translates into love for others that sees the potential power and change finding Christ can make).