Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse reading–Philemon 1-25 (day five)

vs 5 “because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;”

A question people often ask. Comes in different forms and phrases-  “How do I know I am getting stronger in my faith?”,  “How do I know I am closer to God?”

Are there indicators or evidences that point to real faith?  The scripture does point to several. One of those is a deep affection and love for God’s people (the church). In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (chapter 5)  as he describes the love between a husband and wife, he uses the analogy of Christ’s love for the church.

Want a litmus for your faith?  Ask how much you love the church (more specifically, all the people in the church) – those that agree and disagree with you, those that encourage and are a challenge to you. It will be a deep and growing love for Christ that will produce a deep and growing love for His people. 

Re:Verse reading–Acts 12:1-19 (day five)

Acts 12:5- prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.

What we know about that first New Testament Church is that there were a few activities and actions that were “non-negotiables” for them- worship, bible study, fellowship, and prayer. What if the rhythm and priority of prayer bathed a Pastoral Succession  and Transition?  What if we ALL were praying with desperation and expectation?  What if we continued to Pray First and ask the Lord to help our church complete this process?  Would we demonstrate our dependence and trust in the Living God?  Would God continue to help our church for His glory and the good of our city and the nations?  Please take opportunity this weekend to join other members of our church in ernest prayer for our church, the transition process, and our co-pastors. These are exciting and important moments in the life of our church. Pray First!

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day five)  “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Jesus teaches Nicodemus that “new birth” is a sovereign work of God’s  Spirit.  Birth is the perfect illustration.  We didn’t do  anything to be born (physically).  We can’t do anything to be born (spiritually).  The only way for a person to be “born again” is by the work of the Spirit of God.  There are uncertainties about the wind.  Where?  Why? When? But we do know with certainty, there is evidence of its presence.  Just as in the Christian life, there is conviction, faith, and fruit.

You’re a Christian because the Spirit of God blew where he wished, and he wished to blow inside your soul. He swept through your heart and brought you to life; he made you alive to God.- Matt Carter

Re:Verse reading–Mark 9:14-29 (day five) 

Billy Graham used to tell this story…  An Eskimo fisherman came to town every Saturday afternoon. He always brought his two dogs with him. One was white and the other was black. He had taught them to fight on command. Every Saturday afternoon in the town square the people would gather and these two dogs would fight and the fisherman would take bets. On one Saturday the black dog would win; another Saturday, the white dog would win but the fisherman always won! His friend began to ask him how he did it. He said, “I starve one and feed the other. The one I feed always wins because he is stronger.” 

The faith of the father and disciples was weakened because of doubt, struggles, criticism, and cynicism, and hopelessness. Those kinds of circumstances stand ready to attach and weaken our faith each and every day.

The solution for stronger faith??  Feed your faith. Jesus’ admonition to the disciples in this passage- feed/strengthen faith through prayer.  Do we see the need and power of prayer like Jesus?  Will we daily feed our faith through honest conversation and communication with our Heavenly Father?  Our faith depends on it.

Re:Verse reading–Hosea 1, 3, 14 (day five)  Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel.”

Praise God for Again!!  His persistent, gracious, and faithful love has pursued and found me countless times in rebellion, disobedience, dismay, brokenness, hopelessness, and apathy.  Yet, He never stops loving.  Never stops reminding.  Never stops encouraging.  Never stops forgiving and restoring.  Again and again and again.  How many times is that?   Certainly more than I deserve.

It is a humbling reminder of our own struggle with sin to think how many times He has done that (again and again) for each of us.  Yet, also a prompt for worship and praise of a God who is rich (endless) in mercy and grace.

Maybe a time of reflection and repentance for the “agains” in our lives would be helpful today.  Follow that with a time of praise, thanksgiving, and worship.

Re:Verse reading–Daniel 6 (day five)  

For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed,
And His dominion will be forever.

When and how did Darius learn about the Living God?  Certainly the culmination was after the lions den. Could he have been both watching and listening prior to the lions den?  Daniel’s custom (see vs 10) communicated God’s character and nature. I suspect there was more to it than that.  The king’s words sound like they came from someone else. And now that Daniel has come through the lions den unharmed, those words made sense and now have significant meaning to the king. Could those words be Daniel’s?  Could Daniel have been not only living a faithful example, but also talking and teaching about the Living God he was following. Daniel’s influence was due to his faithfulness to AND his testimony about the Living God.  Are we consistent and faithful in both our actions and our words?

1 Peter 3;15  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 

“’Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’”

God’s design for His children to be engaged and interact with society and culture has not changed.  He doesn’t want believers insulated and isolated from the lost and needy.  Rather, He instructs us to “live” in the regular patterns and rhythms of life with Godly passion, perspective,and purpose.  This will be a catalyst for conversations and opportunities to share the gospel and glorify God.  Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 27 (day five) 

Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

Do you ever take time to do an emotional and spiritual inventory?

List the real things that are going on in your heart, soul, and mind- tensions, stresses, conflicts, pressures, fears, and uncertainties.  Don’t stop there, list the experiences, promises, and potential that result from an authentic trust and friendship with God- search the scriptures, sermon notes, and journal entries. 

One of David’s inventories is found in Psalm 27. “I feel this- God promises that. I see this- God has provided that. I have experienced this, God acts and wills that.”

What David discovers is that God’s side of the inventory causes him to understand better God’s love and leadership.  And David’s conclusion is that God’s promises and care for the human race are vastly different from current and past circumstances and emotions- deeper, longer, higher. The result is courage, joy, peace, and hope.

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 23 (day five) 

“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life”.   David doesn’t jump to any wild conclusions about God’s care, character, or interaction with His children. Instead, after reflection and careful observation, David becomes convinced of God’s nearness and willingness to constantly supply goodness and mercy. David has considered his own experiences and has held them up against God’s promises. They have matched up perfectly. So, David concludes with certainty and decisiveness (SURELY) that God is eagerly pursuing us to demonstrate His pleasure in doing good and showing mercy. 

What conclusions can you make about God and the christian life based on your own experiences and God’s promises? 

Re:Verse reading–2 Kings 5 (day five) 

The  encouragement and testimony of a Jewish slave girl were a catalyst for the events in 2 Kings 5.  She gave testimony of what she believed and pointed others to God (thru His prophet).  Her words were humble, confident, and offered hope.

Do we encourage others with this same attitude and approach?  We can and should regularly share our experience with God (His goodness and faithfulness to us) with those around us.  We can and should share what we believe about the Living God. Our story and our faith will offer encouragement, hope, and “life”to those around us each and every day.

“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” 1 Peter 3:15

“He then answered,  “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25