Author: Scott Lane

Scott Lane is the Executive Pastor of Ministry at FBCSA.

The Word of the Lord

Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 36 (Day Five)
How many times have we read “The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah (me)” so far in this book of the bible?  My calculations are 26.  What great comfort it must have been to Jeremiah for the Lord to continually guide and shape His thoughts, ministry, and message.  How clearly, during these moments of chapter 36, he must have understood where the real strength and power of “The Word of the Lord” resides.

“The Bible is the written word of God, and because it is written it is confined and limited by the necessities of ink and paper and leather. The Voice of God, however, is alive and free as the sovereign God is free. ‘The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.’ The life is in the speaking words. God’s word in the Bible can have power only because it corresponds to God’s word in the universe. It is the present Voice which makes the written Word all-powerful.- A.W. Tozer

What’s the Point?

Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 11:18-23; 12:1-6; 17:14-18; 20:7-18 (day five)
I am VERY competitive.  I keep score. Most times, it really is a huge disservice to my heart and soul.  I suspect most of us are that way too.  Jeremiah continues to learn a lesson that every human heart has to eventually understand.  Keeping score is SO dangerous, because each life has its own unique journey (race) marked out by the Lord.  How can you compare?  Keeping score often takes our eyes off of the Lord and puts the focus on others or ourselves.  Keeping score uses human judgment and perspective to quantify the totals.  Keeping score skews the priority.  Look at Jeremiah’s focus and perspective… “They grow, they have even produced fruit. You are near to their lips But far from their mind.3 But You know me, O LORD; You see me; And You examine my heart’s attitude toward You. Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter And set them apart for a day of carnage!”  So, what’s the point?  What’s the perspective?  God calls us to walk in obedience not victory.  Obedience puts our focus on Him.

 

Listening, Looking, Learning

Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 18:1-12; 19:1-15 (day five)
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Go down at once to the potter’s house; there I will reveal My words to you.”  I bet he had seen potters doing their work lots of times.  Yet this time, Jeremiah saw and obtained amazing insight and instruction from The Lord.  Ever wonder how many times we overlook or pass by opportunities and circumstances that the Lord would use to teach, guide, and encourage us?  Maybe a teachable heart begins with humble prayer asking God to help us see and learn throughout the day (about Him and ourselves).  “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)

Ray Stedman describes this attitude; “It makes every incident in your experience a continual challenge to see God at work.  At your office, at your kitchen sink, your desk, your nursing stand at the hospital, your room in the retirement home, your classroom at school you are being continually exposed to situations which are a challenge to God in you in your circumstances.”  (commentary on Philippians 2:13).

Speaking to Youth

Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 1 (day five)
6 Then I said, “Alas, Lord GOD!  Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth.” 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. 8 “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

This morning I am aware of when God chose to “call” Jeremiah.  Jeremiah was a youth.  It was a moment and message that would shape the rest of his life.

This weekend in our Youth Ministry is our Freedom Weekend (Disciple Now).  Over a hundred teenagers gathered in homes around this city for concentrated and intentional times of Bible study, worship, service work, and community with other believers.  A setting that often the Lord uses to eternally change and shape their hearts and lives.  Will you pray for them?  Will you pray that God’s Word will “come to them”?  Will you pray that God will speak to them?  There is NO greater message or moment than when The Living God speaks to the human heart.

Reality

Re: Verse reading – Luke 24:13-35 (day five)  Verse 15-  “While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.”  This is the reality of this encounter from the beginning.  The 2 men were with Jesus but didn’t know it (perception). Sound familiar?  Often times our own issues, experiences, and circumstances keep us from a close and connected “fellowship” with Christ.  Notice the word “fellowship”.  The relationship NEVER changes, just OUR ability to hear and sense the presence of the Living God.  One of the significant truths found in this passage is that Jesus shows us the future reality (we experience as New Testament Believers) of the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer. John 14:26  “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

He helps us see and sense REALITY.  The continued promise and presence of the Lord.  Matthew 28- “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

It’s in There, He’s with Me!!

Re: Verse reading–Luke 21:5-24 (day five)
Did you see it when you read this passage?  Did your heart grab hold of it when you read the promise?  Tucked inside this passage of immeasurable gloom and doom are words of comfort from the Lord Himself.  They are words that evidence a greater hope in the midst of destruction and confusion.  They are words that keep the human heart “centered” and “focused” on a kingdom that that will not be shaken or overcome.  It is a promise He makes over and over in the scriptures.  “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” Matthew 28:20, “Abide in me and I in you”, John 15:4.   “For I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.” Luke 21:15 (because I am with you, living inside you).

Does that promise bring you joy and peace in the midst of circumstances and tension?  Does it give you less cause to worry and stress over the future?  Does it give you the confidence and determination to live today for His Glory?

Heart of the Matter

Re: Verse reading–Luke 18:18-30 (Day Five)
Ever wonder why Jesus didn’t talk about money or possessions to Nicodemus or Zaccheus (both wealthy and successful)?  Because He knew their hearts.  The kingdom of God is not about money, it is about the heart.

It’s an amazing conversation between the rich young ruler (RYR) and Jesus.  As Jesus addresses the question posed by the RYR (with the scripture), He leaves out one of the commandments.  I suspect the RYR knew the commandments by heart and maybe thought Jesus left out # 10 to cut him some slack.  But Jesus interprets and applies #10 to his circumstances and his (RYR) heart.  Brilliant!!  Beautiful!!  Alarming!!  (That’s exactly what the Holy Spirit does now in the heart of the New Testament Believer)

God knows our hearts.  He is aware of our motives, fears, pride, insecurities, failures, and weaknesses.  God is not intimidated by the sin or darkness in our hearts.  He challenges, questions, and confronts it.  God’s design and desire is to have reign and rule over our hearts. Proverbs 4:23.   “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

40 Days of Prayer – Direction

As 2013 comes to a conclusion, I wonder how these 40 days of prayer, meditation, and scripture reading have shaped our hearts. Better yet, what will our lives look like “on the other side” of the “40 days of Prayer”.

When reading the Christmas Story in Luke and in Matthew, I am intrigued by the different directions that the Shepherds and the Magi took when leaving their encounter with Jesus. The Shepherds go right back to familiar settings and circumstances with hearts filled and over-flowing with wonder and worship. The Magi are instructed to take a different course. Same wonder and worship. New chapter and change of direction required.

Day35- Pray for God’s direction and leadership as you conclude this encounter (40 Days of Prayer). Proverbs 3:5-6

Whether the Lord requires new roads and new steps, or a renewed heart in familiar patterns, may our lives be filled with the same wonder and worship described over 2000 years ago.

Re: Verse reading- Luke 13:10-17 (day five)

40 Days of Prayer- Search

These are exciting days at FBCSA!  There are SO many evidences of God’s presence and blessing in our church body.  One of the ways I know God is continuing His Work and Leadership in our church, is that He sends us gifted and talented leaders/ministers.

Our church often will use search teams or committees to accomplish this work.  The task of these teams is to prayerfully recommend candidates for specific leadership roles on our staff under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  We have one of these committees currently working and serving (Preschool/Children’s Minister), and another one being formed (Minister to Young Marrieds).

Day 28 –  Will you pray for these committees as they search, pray, interview, and recommend candidates to serve on our staff.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead them to the person God has prepared and purposed to serve our church at this time.  Pray for wisdom, unity, and discernment as they meet and perform this “searching task”.

As God “calls” these new ministers to our church will you pray for these new staff members asking God to give them grace to serve and lead our church forward?  What amazing opportunities await our church family as God brings us these new leaders!!

Re: Verse reading – Luke 12:13-34 (day five)

40 Days of Prayer- Prepare

It’s an interesting line in one of my favorite songs.  “Let every heart prepare Him room”.  As we have “prepared” our house to reflect the Christmas season. It took time, attention, and effort.  What would our home look like if we didn’t do anything?  It would look the same as always.  What about our hearts?  What would our hearts be like if we never “prepared” for His rule and living presence (time, attention, effort)?  Every day (especially during this season of the year) there are things (some good, some bad) that compete for our affection and attention.  If we don’t continually make “space” and “priority” for Him, our hearts and lives will look and sound common and even distressed.  Nothing different or distinctive will be heard or seen, only anxiety and despair.  We must intentionally prepare “room” in our hearts for His strength, influence, and presence.

Day 21- Will you “prepare Him room” (today and moment by moment) by praying and asking Him to be active, alive, and above all the daily stuff that competes for your thoughts and attention.  

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  The result will be a life that reflects God’s love, His Joy, and His strength.  All the competing pressures, tensions, relationships, and responsibilities will then find their rightful place (a distant 2nd).

Re: Verse reading – Luke 10:25-37 (day five)