Scott Lane

The “What” and the “Why”

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 12:1-14, 24-27, 13:8-9 (day five)

Exodus 12:26 “And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’”

Exodus 13:8 “You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”

It is a great privilege for parents and grandparents to shape the faith of the next generation. Current research continues to affirm what the Lord knew thousands of years ago- that spiritual practices and patterns by parents and grandparents would indeed lead to questions and conversations with kids and teens. Through these relationships, children will see and sense the urgency and priority of a vibrant and dynamic relationship with God. So, what do our kids sense and see about our faith? Does it cause them to ask “What” and “Why”? Do we have meaningful answers from our own experiences and understanding? Maybe an honest look at our practices and patterns as they relate to spiritual growth and strength would be helpful today.

Promises

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 5:1-2; 6:1-8; 7:1-5, 14-18; 8:1-3, 16, 20-21; 9:1-4, 8-9, 13-18, 25-26; 10:3-11, 21-22, 28-29; 11:1-5 (day five)

In the selected verses of Exodus 6, God makes several promises to His people through Moses. (Hint: look for “I Will” statements) I will: bring you out, deliver you, redeem you, take you for My people, be your God, bring you to the land, give it to you for a possession.

These promises indicate the great care, concern, strength, and power of the Lord. Can you imagine someone in whom you completely trust and depend making those kinds of promises to you? Maybe as a child or parent we have experienced or made promises that were not kept. Sometimes we can become “promise calloused”. Can you name any promises God has broken? Will you praise God today for specific promises He has kept?

What are promises God has made that shape courage and hope in your heart? (Look for “I Will” statements whenever you read the Scripture)

“True faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God’s fidelity to His Promises.” – Francis Chan

Agree/Disagree

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 3:1-14; 4:1-15 (day five)

God agrees with Moses’ self-assessment of his skills, abilities, and limitations. If fact, God twice points to His own history of using flawed imperfect people to accomplish His purpose. (3:6 & 4:5- “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”) We are likely to see these men as “Hall of Faith” members, in awe of their reputation and legacy. The truth is, they each had significant issues, drama, dysfunction, and baggage. The stories of their lives could fill several soap opera time slots for years. Yet, He describes them in relation to Himself. “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”. God always sees the opportunities and potential of a flawed person with a genuinely humble heart and life that will trust Him. He will disagree and challenge excuses and lack of trust in His strength and power.

Pray/Pause

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 1:8-22, 2:1-10 (day five)

Today marks the beginning of Freedom Weekend. Over a hundred teens from across the city will gather in homes for a weekend designed to gather them around God’s Word in study and community.

The theme/emphasis is “Pause”. Research shows that with the flood of information, images, and messages that daily cross their eyes, ears, and minds, this younger generation has a tougher time focusing and attaining significant depth in their thinking and processing. They are masters at multi-tasking.

The scripture prescribes a different kind of attention needed for spiritual thinking and growth. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Will you Pray for these teenagers this weekend? Will you ask the Holy Spirit to give them a hunger to know God and to carve out moments where they set aside activity and distraction to learn and listen to the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures?

If it’s true for teens, it’s true for adults. Will YOU Pause each day to listen, to learn, to know God ?

Important Word

Re: Verse reading–John 21:1-25 (day five)

“Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” There is uncertainty among scholars about the word “these”. Did “these” refer to the other disciples? Did “these” refer to the fish, boats, and nets? Maybe the more profound answer to the clear up this question is “YES”. What if the most important word in the question was “MORE” ? Then we filled in the blank “do you love Me more than ______________”.

Jesus challenges that our love and devotion to Him needs to be “more” than our earthly relationships, occupation, priorities, and security. Is it fair or wise for Him to ask/demand that loyalty? Again the answer is “YES”! What Jesus knows, is that loving Him MORE than ___________________, results in us becoming better spouses, parents, workers, students, friends, disciples, and church family. We gain a clearer understanding and have constant encounters of grace, forgiveness, patience, devotion, and sacrifice.

Whatever & Wherever

Re: Verse reading–John 20:10-31 (day five)
John 20:28Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Profound statement. Revolutionary words. Do they sound familiar? John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

What we need to remember is that Thomas spoke those words days after the Resurrection. The words in John 1:1 were penned some 60 years later.

There is great hope in understanding the sequence of these verses. Thomas, in the midst of doubt, fear, stress, tension, and grief is able to gain a new and supernaturally revealed insight into the nature and character of Jesus. God was working in Thomas’ heart and mind.

So, whatever the circumstances, tensions, doubts, and fears we face, the hope of God’s continued work in the human heart and mind are possible to the soul that would seek, ask and knock. (see Luke 11). Will you spend time in prayer and reading/searching the scriptures? God is at work in whatever and wherever!!

Living in Tension

Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day five)
John 19 “And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” Luke 9 ⁵⁸ “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

In Luke Jesus says the phrase “lay His head”. John uses the phrase “Jesus bowed His head”. Same Greek words in both verses. No doubt John remembers Jesus’ words in Luke as He taught about the sacrifice and realities of knowing and following Jesus on the earth. Mission and Ministry are more important than earthly comforts and treasures.

John observes that Jesus found the place that He did not have during His life on earth, when He gave up His life. Culture and earthly desires fly in the face a soul that loves the Lord and yearns for Heaven. We live constantly in this tension- To embrace the mission and journey on earth, and also to be in a place of ultimate peace and rest. Jesus models the perfect pattern for holding onto both ends of this rope.

Asking

Re: Verse reading—John 15:1-17 (day five)

Vs. 7- If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

What a strange statement. “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you”. Is God some sort of genie granting any and all wishes to people? Answer- NO!! Can these words be true? Yes, because they are only a part of this verse and teaching of Jesus.

Jesus and scripture certainly do teach a confidence and boldness to our prayers and petitions. (I am SO glad) The first part of this verse frames 2 truths as the context for His promise. (Abide in Me, My words abide in you) Both have to do with what shapes the human heart and causes it to become supernaturally focused and aware. First, is the promise that a close, strong, and vibrant relationship with Jesus shapes the human heart to desire the things of God. Second, is the power of the scripture to influence and affect our thoughts, desires, and priorities. Thank You Father for Your Promises and Power!!

New Chapters

Re: Verse reading–John 14:1-14 (day five)
I see it every year as Youth Minister- parents and students processing and adjusting to new coming chapters (graduation, middle school, high school). I also see people entering new chapters at weddings, funerals, retirements, and hospitals. Some chapters are welcomed and needed while other are intruding and life altering. Our reaction and struggle with change more often than not, is one of stress and angst. Aversion to change is not just unique to Baptists; it is a common human response, regardless of age.

Jesus’ words in John 14 address His disciple’s anxiety about the news of His departure. “Do not let your heart be troubled”. Present faith in the living God (believe in God/believe in Me) and certainty for the future (that where I am, there you may be also) are the key components of His instruction. Listen to His reminder for their trust and confidence, “If it were not so, I would have told you”.

We navigate new chapters and changes by faith and trust in the “Unchanging One”.

Deep and Wide

Re: Verse reading–John 13:1-17; 31-38 (day five)

John 13 is closely connected to the prayer in Ephesians 3. “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,”. John describes the exact actions and attitude of Jesus that the apostle Paul prays the believers in Ephesus would understand and appreciate. The hope is that those early Christians would be filled, inspired, and strengthened.

John 13:1 “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

Jesus’ love for His disciples is “wide”- Loving His disciples completely and perfectly during His three years of ministry and teaching. Through times of questioning, unbelief, slow progress, and stubbornness, His love for them never falters or runs out.

Jesus’ love for them is “deep”- Loving His disciples with intensity and determination in the moments of service, suffering, and sacrifice. Jesus’ love is not lessened by humility, pain, or sorrow. In fact, His love remains sturdy and visible.

May God give us grace to become more aware and in awe of His love for us!