Scott Lane

God>man

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 11:1-2, 32-40; 12:1-3, 12-17 (day five)

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us”. When I read the scripture, I am frequently reminded about my own weakness and inability to navigate life without the risk and ample opportunities of sin, burdens, and selfishness to take their toll on me. Any reminder that would prompt me to re-direct my attention and recalibrate my priorities is SO helpful. So, I pause to pray. I ask God to examine my heart and mind (for burdens and sin vs.1). I ask God to help me have a disciplined and determined focus on The One who is writing my story (vs. 2); I ask God for energy and strength to press back against any discouragement or desire to slow down or quit on “my race” (vs. 3).

We

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day five)
Verse 24 “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds”. “The bible knows nothing of solitary religion” – John Wesley One of the many insights I have gained from reading Hebrews in this series has been the writer’s frequent uses of the plural forms of pronouns. This letter is chocked full of prompts for community, accountability, and unity. In verse 24 “we” are instructed to take initiative and encourage healthy action and attitudes in the hearts and lives of our church family. Pretty bold!! What would motivate us to interact that way? Romans 2:2 claims God’s motive for challenge and conviction is kindness. What if we had that type of love and affection for our church family? I think others would take note. John 13:35

Progress and Change

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 10:19-39 (day 5)
Hebrews 5:11 – We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.

I had my own moments of refusing to learn and grow this week thanks to Apple (new iPhone software). Progress, opportunity, and effectiveness often require tenacity, patience, and perspective. Just when I’m ready to give up and chunk my phone, I read a review or hear a comment about the wonderful new and productive things iPhones can now do. This is not a commercial for cellular products but rather a testimony of the tendency of human nature to resist and reject progress and change. When I read on in this passage I see the potential: discerning good and evil (5:14), assurance of hope till the end (6:11) and an inheritance of God’s promises (6:12). So, I thank God for the reminder of my own tendencies and ask for grace and strength to listen, learn, and grow.

A Big Question

Re: Verse reading–Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10 (day five)
Verse 16 – Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, Let me make sure I read this correctly. We are encouraged to approach the Holy Throne of the Living God with “confidence”? How is that possible? Is there ever a time we could approach the throne and not have a need or issue of some sort? So the big question is… Where does confidence come from?

It comes from a heart that believes seated on the throne is someone much wiser and much bigger (full of infinite resources). Confidence comes from a heart convinced that seated on the Throne is someone who desires to engage and guide. Confidence comes from the promises at the end of verse 16: “discovery and take-a-way” (find grace, receive mercy). It comes from the testimony of others’ experiences with the same Good God (Psalm 118, 1 Timothy 1:12-16).

Created to Worship

Re:Verse reading–Psalm 8 (day five) I saw this quote again this week. “A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Creation, nature, and the “work of Your Hands” (Psalm 8: 3, 6) satisfies our nature/need to worship, and brings glory to the Living God who created it all. He has displayed His majesty, strength, and power for us to be in awe of Him. He has met our need and desire to worship (something or someone) with Himself. Our worship of the Living God is both for His Glory (the praise of His creation) and our good (becoming like Him).

In Tune

Re:Verse reading–Psalm 2, Psalm 110 (day five)
The words of Robert Robinson are on my mind. “Tune my heart to sing Thy Grace”. Somewhere along the way, I remember reading that the Psalms help to “tune our hearts”. Anytime I play my guitar, I always tune it first thing. It’s frequently out of tune. Whether from change in climate (temperature/humidity), or being “handled” it will not function as designed until it is measured against something that has perfect pitch. The climate of a fallen world (temptation, stress, tragedy, fear, sin) can quickly cause our hearts to become out of tune (out of “step with the Holy Spirit”- Galatians 5:25). We regularly need to hear the “perfect pitch” of the Holy Spirit through scripture, sermons, stillness, study, and community. We need to constantly ask: “What do I need to know/learn/do?” In Psalm 2, the writer proclaims, “How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Sounds in tune to me.

That’s Not Fair

RE Verse reading–Mark 15:40-16:8 (day five) It’s a phrase that gets thrown around frequently these days. It’s an attitude of entitlement, selfishness, and comparison. It’s a word I often refuse to let slide when I hear it, often responding, “Fair (fare) is what you pay to ride a bus!” Our culture and own flesh will tell us life is supposed to be fair. One of most important lessons the gospel teaches us is that life is not meant to be fair. At the cross, an innocent “lamb” is killed in my place. The Lord Himself taking my sin, my punishment, and my deserving wrath of God. God’s Amazing Grace comes at a monumental cost! That’s not fair!! My own heart looks at circumstances and life in general and tries to influence me to think that life should be fair, that I deserve better. But, when the Holy Spirit reminds me of the cross, salvation, and the eternal promises of the Father, I am reminded that if “life is NOT fair” for Him, why should it be fair for me?

Faith and Photography

RE Verse reading: Mark 14:10-11, 17-21, 41-50 (day five)
Learned a new word this week. Bokeh (pronounced Bō kuh) is the ability to keep one part of a picture in focus while the other remains blurry. Ever seen a picture where the foreground is blurry and the background is in focus? The trick is to focus on a particular object in the background. Jesus had an amazing capacity to do this between present circumstances and the eternal perspective. His focus was on the eternal perspective from the beginning of His ministry (Mark 1:38- “Let us go somewhere else… so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”) to the end (Mark 14:49- “But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”) Even the Hebrews writer references this ability (Hebrews 12:2- For the joy set before him he endured the cross). I will pray, asking God to help me have this kind of vision. I will read the scriptures believing they will shape my ability to clearly see the eternal.

Opportunities

RE Verse reading–Mark 14:1-9 (day five)
What are the opportunities of today? Chances for generosity? Potential for encouragement? Moments for reflection? Circumstances to bring stress? Climates to distract and discourage? Actions to bring criticism and judgment? All of the above?

One amazing insight in this passage is the capacity of some to see an opportunity and others to completely miss it. Mary “sees” the opportunity for worship and service to the Lord. The “others in the room” (probably the disciples) completely miss it. So much so, that they begin to criticize her. Wow, how quickly they got off track. Was it the criticism of the religious leaders? Was it the stress of constant tension? Was it fatigue? The bottom line is they missed the opportunity.

I’m feeling very vulnerable. Today, I will pause this morning to pray and read the scripture. I will pray in between meetings, conversations, and activities asking God to speak to me and help me “see” my opportunities. I don’t want to miss any today.

Are We There Yet?

RE Verse reading–Mark 12:28-34 (day five)
As a child I asked this question a million times. As a parent I’ve answered this question a billion times. Jesus’ words to this religious leader in verse 34 of this passage are both encouraging (maybe the kindest words He ever spoke to any Pharisee- “You are not far from the Kingdom of God”) and haunting (He basically tells this man “You are not there yet”). My kids raise their version of this question often in reference to time. The follow up question is frequently “How much longer?” Entry into the Kingdom of God is not marked by time or location. Rather entry is indicated by a changed heart that demonstrates evidence of the Work of the Holy Spirit in reshaping our thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, motives, desires, passions, and so much more. (Galatians 5:22-23) Arrival and residence in God’s Kingdom will result in a new perspective and passion that seeks to trust, honor, and serve The King.