Scott Lane

Pursue Faith

Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day five)
The next 2 weeks our teenagers will be at youth camp. The theme is Pursue (from 2 Timothy 2:22). Timothy is challenged to pursue: righteousness, faith, love and peace. These are such pivotal moments for teenagers to test, grow, and solidify their faith. They are transitioning to “faith ownership” as they become young men and women (that’s what we want for them). Will you pray these next 2 weeks for them and their “faith”? Will you pray for The Holy Spirit to speak the truth and wisdom of the Gospel into their hearts and minds through Scripture, Youth Ministry Staff, and Camp Counselors?

That process should never stop, even for adults. From our camp curriculum: “It is normal for teenagers to doubt and question what they believe. Searching for who and what we believe helps answer tough questions. There is a difference between doubt and unbelief. Doubt comes from a struggling mind while unbelief comes from a stubborn will that refuses to surrender to God.”

Mercy

Re: Verse reading–Psalm 51; 1 John 1:9 (Day Five) When pondering the nature and character of God we take note of His Majesty, Wisdom, and Justice. In Psalm 51, David teaches us the sole basis of any approach to God by sinners is His Mercy. vs 1- “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions..”

Where does our understanding of God’s merciful nature come from? It comes from God Himself. Exodus 33:19 “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” Hebrews 4:16- “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

So maybe this week, as we read this passage, we can be reminded that what we need to know about God, is that He is merciful.

God’s mercy is also depicted as Unfailing Love and Great Compassion.

One further thought and reminder (thanks to James Boice), Unfailing Love points to the continuing operation of God’s Mercy, and Compassion teaches He does feel our infirmities.

The Best Gift

Re: Verse reading–Psalm 119:9-16; Acts 17:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day five) This Sunday we will celebrate the accomplishment of 30 High School Seniors. We will encourage, we will cry, we will cheer, we will remember our own youth, and be reminded of our own mortality. Perhaps the BEST thing we will do for these young men and women is give them a Bible from ALL of us at FBCSA. It really signals the best things about this church: our love for the Scripture and our hope (God will continue to grow His Kingdom now in a downtown church, and in future generations). This gift really is from all of us since we have held each Bible and highlighted hundreds of verses that have given us hope, life, strength, peace, and joy from our collective experiences and wisdom. And Sunday, we will pray that by these scriptures they will find the Lord and then the Life He has promised. Psalm 71:18 “O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”

Leading Lessons

Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day five)
In the verses between the listed passages is an ironic scene. Found in the first few verses of chapter 11, Ezekiel is now at the east gate where 25 “leaders” are discussing new building projects for the city. Really??!! Talk about clueless!! The irony is two fold: 1-They are totally unaware of the destruction taking place, 2- They are in the very spot where the Glory of the Lord just passed. What a sad picture of a leader. Good leaders recognize where God’s presence is, and where it isn’t. Good leaders strive to understand God’s plan and purpose. Good leaders listen, look, and learn so that they can influence others to find the Lord. Good leaders are desperate for God’s presence to be where they are (homes, churches, nations). May all who lead, learn these lessons!!

Dead is Dead

Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day five)
We see 2 pictures of spiritual death in Ezekiel’s vision. One is visually and physically evident. It’s crystal clear. The dry bones are a visual picture of an extended period of rebellion, hopelessness, and utter ruin. The need and the problem are obvious.

The second picture is a little more complicated if just merely observing. Bones rejoined, muscles, tendons, and flesh back in place. Recognizable form is now added to the bodies and corpses. Things are taking shape and progress is being made. Wonder if there was excitement and joy at this point? Wonder if a celebration was about to ensue? To interrupt a premature conclusion, God makes Ezekiel aware of their condition. Still, they are corpses. Still, they are without life. Still, they are… dead. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy breath (Spirit) to fill these bodies. Once filled from within with the Spirit (breath) they are made alive and ready to be used by God (an army). Sound familiar? (John 3:3-5)

Remember??

Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 20:1-32 (day five)
The “older I get, the better I was”- words of a wise friend spoken to me many years ago. I often use them in humor reflecting on my years as a basketball player. But the truth of those words is profound. Interesting the effects of the human heart on our memory. Often the moments of sin or disobedience will be remembered as “less severe”, while the moments of faithfulness or obedience will be remembered as more glorious (our own glory) than they actually were. Seems Israel had this same problem. So, Ezekiel gives a brutally honest and accurate recounting of Israel’s history in chapter 20. So what’s the cure for our “selected memory”? May I suggest 2? Humility (James 4) and a Contrite Heart (Psalm 51)

American Idols

Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 18:1-18 (day five) All the talk of idols seems really outdated and not applicable to 21^st Century American Christian Culture. Right?? Wrong!! That’s what I was thinking until I began reading a book I just purchased by Kyle Idleman. He writes, “What if the gods of here and now are not cosmic deities with strange names? What if they take identities that are so ordinary that we don’t recognize them as ‘gods’ at all? What if we do our ‘kneeling’ and ‘bowing’ with our imaginations, our cash, our search engines, our calendars? What if I told you that every sin you are struggling with, every discouragement you are dealing with, even the lack of purpose you’re living with are because of idolatry?”

So, I again have such a respect and hope in reading the scripture. I also have an opportunity to search my heart and life and look for idols while reflecting on Ezekiel 18.

God Prepares & Encourages

Re: Verse reading – Ezekiel 1:28-3:4 (day five)

God begins to call/commission Ezekiel into service and ministry. In chapter 1, He “reveals” to Ezekiel His character and nature.

Windstorm (1:4) – Power – God is never helpless.

Throne (1:26) Sovereignty – God always is in control (even in difficult circumstances).

Fire (1:27) Holiness- God judges and punishes sin and disobedience.

Rainbow (1:28) Kindness and Mercy. Even in judgment, God remembers mercy.

Scripture is full of pictures, accounts, and experiences that, if we look and listen, can help us discover and understand more about the character and nature of God. Often times, God will “reveal” parts of His nature and character that will be of great value and insight to the heart of each believer in the midst of circumstances and preceding the future. Looking back, can you see how each one of these pictures Ezekiel sees, encourages and prepares him for the task that lies ahead?

May we be willing to ask God do the same in our hearts. (Scripture, Sermons, Prayer, Worship, Service, and Fellowship) What are you learning about the Lord?

A Promise Kept

Re: Verse reading–Jeremiah 31:27-34; 32:1-15 (day five)

Jeremiah 31 31 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 33 “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Luke 22:20 “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

John 14 ¹⁵“If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Colossians 1 ²⁷To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Lessons from Babylon to Holy Week

Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 21:1-10, 38:1-6 (day five)

We see a couple of similarities as we compare the narrative in Jeremiah and the recounts of Holy Week in the Gospels. Absence of Leadership (A leader who cowers down to the wishes/demands of the passionate crowd people instead of standing strong and making an unpopular decision (Zedikiah/Pilate). True Picture of Following God (The Lord’s provision and plan calls for submission and surrender (Chaldeans/Cross).

The call to live a life that evidences grace, truth, strength, integrity, and love (2 Timothy 2:22-25) is still what the Lord would desire of all His followers. It also is worth remembering Jesus always believed the Christian life would involve to some degree: pain, difficulty, and humility (Luke 9:23).