Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 8:1-15 (day five)

A new chapter is coming to our home next week. We take our daughter to college. A flood of memories and emotions fill my heart and mind. She is ready!! She/We are nervous/excited (a healthy ratio). I’ve thought about advice I will give her.  Seems like a good moment for it.  As a minister’s kid, she has received more than her fair share already. I want her to see how the believers in Macedonia approached life and decisions. I want her to see the results. 2 Corinthians 8:5, “they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”

MB, give yourself to the Lord FIRST (daily/regularly), you will hear Him, know Him, and love Him. You will discover His will and THEN the path of decisions and choices becomes clearer. First Surrender, Then Service. You will do miraculous and amazing things for God’s Glory and the good of others!! Go Get’em!

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (day five)

Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away;

When he surrendered his life to Christ, Paul’s heart changed dramatically. He felt new and clean. He began to think in a “new and clean” way. Paul’s words for his old heart and thoughts, they “passed away”. One of the application points was his view of people- Christians and non-Christians. He began to see unbelievers in the light of the Gospel as “lost”- people who needed to find and have Christ. His heart was burdened for them. He also began to see Christians as important and viable for the Christian faith.  He loved and treasured them (completely different than before).

Does our view and perspective of people indicate the ruling presence of Christ in our hearts?

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 12:4-13, 27-31 (day five)

11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

It is the brilliance and distinctiveness of God’s plan to use the church for His Glory and Purpose of building His Kingdom. God calls and gifts “each” of us and then works in “all” of us to build unity and effectiveness. One of God’s goals for the christian life is for each gifted believer to demonstrate that they have the Spirit of God within them. According to Paul, this is clearly evidenced in the Body of Christ.

In this passage has all the ingredients: sovereignty (11,18,24), diversity (4,5,6) and unity (11,12,13). It is a clear picture of a beautiful, vibrant New Testament Church.

Re:Verse Passage – Matthew 25:31-46 (day five) 

We read about this promise throughout scripture. God would send a Messiah and King to save the world. The problem was, that what God had in mind for a King and what many people expected were completely different. The King God sent would be humble, meek, and vulnerable. God’s plan was prophesied over and over in the Old Testament. Yet, many missed it. The religious leaders were looking for royalty, arrogance, and a leader who would overthrow political and social structures and systems.

What Jesus describes in Matthew 25 is something completely different. Knowing and loving Jesus changes the human heart. Believers do understand the majesty, kindness, and power of Christ. They also begin to see the needs of others and serve them. Does our relationship with Christ cause us to see Him and others in ways that bring honor and glory to Him (The King)?

Re:Verse Passage – John 15:9-17 (day five)

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full”. In Isaiah Jesus is described as a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”.  In these last moments with the disciples, Jesus wants to talk about joy.  His joy.  Our joy.  Where does it come from?  It comes from the Word of God (I have spoken to you).  We find joy as we study, learn, and apply the Word of God.  It comes from a close walk with Christ. Christ’s joy is placed within us as we abide with Him (My joy may be in you).  His joy/our joy remains in the midst of trials, grief, hardships, and pain.  Joy marked the life of Christ and should be a distinguishing characteristic in the heart and life of a believer.

Re: Verse reading–John 13:1-17 (day five)

The introduction to Jesus washing the disciples’ feet is mind boggling. Whatever happens next will be important, memorable, and calculated. (knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God,)

Jesus was fully aware of His Authority, His Divinity, and His Future Glory.  So Jesus gives us a remarkable picture of God- a loving servant. Jesus had not forgotten He was God and decided to humble himself.  NO, it was because He knew He was God and determined to act as God.

Re:Verse reading–2 Kings 4:8-37 (day five) 

In the weeks of June around our church, Children/Youth gather for V.B.S. and Youth Camp. They play, sing, worship, and study the Scripture together. Conversations and community begin to take shape. Children and teens not only talk to each other, but they listen to each other. They hear and sense the “hearts” of these new friends. The eternal moments will come from those “heart and faith conversations”. Friendships that allow asking deep questions and building strong convictions are formed. From these friendships come the confidence and courage to share with all of those around them- children and teens “salting” schools, homes, little leagues, and communities.

As adults, do we still look for the palpable presence and power of God in our day-to-day lives? Do we look to find new friends? Are we eager to share and encourage others from the peace and strength the Lord provides? Are we burdened and willing to share this good news and great truth with all those who share life with us? It’s never too soon and never too late to begin!!

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day five)

Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” According to customs and culture, anyone from the house of Saul was considered an enemy of David. They were usually killed to prevent revolution or rivalry from occurring. The potential damage and dissension from such an enemy was very real. Yet, David does the unthinkable, He rescues and extends grace to an enemy. What kindness!! What love!!

We very seldom think ourselves as enemies of God. The Bible is very clear to point out this is indeed the case (Romans 5:10). Our rebellion and opposition to the will and purpose of God is evident. The scripture goes so far as to describe us as helpless (5:6). Sound familiar? Yet, God does the unthinkable. He takes the initiative to rescue and extend grace to His enemies (us). What Kindness!! What Love!!

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

In the next few weeks our children and teenagers will be in some of the most spiritually rich environments of the year. We often see evidence of this in public decisions and commitments. In Vacation Bible School and Youth Camp, our next generation will be learning and reading God’s Word. They will be near believers for extended periods of time. They will be presented the Gospel in music, worship, Bible Study, fellowship, and many other ways. The Lord is faithful and resilient to “call their names”. As parents, grandparents, mentors, teachers, and church family we have the privilege to be a part of their story. We get to participate in God’s activity in their lives. Will you pray for their salvation and spiritual growth?

Like Eli- Will you encourage them to listen for Lord? Will you point them to the voice and truth of the Lord ? Will you also encourage them to be obedient to his direction and conviction?