Scott Lane

Background Music

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 98 (day five)

One of the interesting things about the Christmas Season (even from a secular perspective) is that it has its own background music. Some radio stations begin playing “Christmas Music” as early as November 1. Music and song are so influential on our attitude, perspective, and outlook. Don’t believe me? Next time you’re in the pool (better yet the ocean) with your friends (especially at night) hum the first several notes to the Jaws theme and wait for the reaction. I read this quote about Psalm 98. “Always live your life against the background music of joy.” (Psalm 98 gives perfect instruction for Praising and Worshipping the Living God) The reaction will be- That we will remember well, what God has done. We will be more aware of what God is currently doing in us, around us, and thru us. And, we will become excited and expectant for Him to fulfill His promises (Even So, Come, Lord Jesus).

Remember

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 85:1-3, 8-13(day five)

It is important, no, it is vital we remember and remind ourselves of our past experiences and encounters with the Living God. His grace. His holiness. His kindness. His strength. His glory. His wisdom. His judgements. Can you recall when you have sensed and seen these things from the Lord? As we remember God’s character and activity in our lives, our reflection brings a sense of both trust and peace. We can learn from past experiences to have confidence in His righteous judgement and wisdom. We can pray that He will continue to provide mercy and grace for His glory and our good. When that happens, we have confidence in both the lovingkindness and truthfulness of God as well as His promised peace in the middle of His righteous rule over His creation and created beings.

What We Really Need

Re:Verse passage – Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19(day five)

“O Lord God of hosts, restore us; Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

What is it we really need from God? What is it, that if all were stripped away, we couldn’t do without? It’s His face- attention, affection, intimacy (personal relationship). And with those, comes His promised salvation. If we cry out in confession and repentance, He hears and He saves!! From the penalty of sin (the first moment we cry out). From the presence of sin (when we at last shall see Him face to face). And currently when we cry out, He saves us from the power of sin. Notice that promise is made 3 times (vs 3, 7, 19). He comes close (close enough for us to see/feel His face shine). He restores. He revives. That’s what we really need. Praise God for the hope we have in His promised salvation!!

What We Do Know

Re:Verse passage – Ephesians 6:17-20(day five). So much of God’s character and even God’s will for us is unknown. That can be, at the very least intimidating, often even paralyzing. We want to wait and be patient for God to reveal His plan and will for our lives. Waiting, listening, seeking, are all very helpful and instructed. But, some wait to the point of idleness and even disobedience. Yet, there are parts and facets of God’s will we absolutely do know. Look at Paul’s words. “Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Paul understood that regardless of his circumstances, at least part of God’s will was to speak and share the gospel boldly and intentionally. Truth be told, that’s part of His will for all of us. What are other parts of His will that are crystal clear for all believers? Loving God? Loving our neighbors? Serving others? Witnessing? Worshipping?

Had a professor say something I thought was quite profound as he was teaching about God’s will. His encouragement was in order to understand and learn more about God’s will (as He reveals it) for each of us, we should participate in the facets of God’s will for all of us (found in the scriptures). Here’s the quote- “Don’t let what you don’t know keep you from doing what you do know.”

In Need

Re:Verse passage – Ephesians 6:10-17(day five) Is this passage humbling to you? It is for me. We live in a culture and society that is unhealthily self sufficient and self relying. Think about how many times when people ask us if we need help, assistance, or aid we answer with the following responses- “I got this” or “I’m good”. Often times, they’re asking because they see us struggling or see the difficulty we are actually facing (sometimes we don’t even know it). We try to either make it on our own, or get by with as little help as possible.

I was struck this week by how comprehensive and well rounded the armor of God is. It is not minimal at all. It is thorough, from top to bottom. Why? Because we (I) really are in need of that much and those kinds of help. We actually are that incapable. We are in fact (on our own) weak, overmatched, and unable to even just stand firm. God gives us this complete and amazing “armor” because we really do need it. In essence, our disobedience, pride, and unfaithfulness is telling God, “I got this” or “I’m good”. How foolish does that seem? May God find us willing to put on His whole armor and find the strength and assurance we so desperately need.

One Another

Re:Verse passage – Ephesians 5:15-21(day five)

In a culture and climate where we are often tempted and encouraged to keep our faith personal and private, the scriptures point to a different approach. Even with a subject so deeply intense and unique to each believer (being filled with the Spirit), Paul encourages and prescribes an outward response and evidence of the work of the Spirit. It’s found two times after he says, “Be filled with the Spirit.” “One Another”. There is this sense in our Re:Verse passage of genuine interaction and community. Speaking and singing to and with one another- vs 19. Serving and submitting to and with one another- vs 21. We are filled in and for genuine community.

As the Spirit fills us, may we joyfully encourage and submit to one another with our speech, our songs, and our service.

Nothing

Re:Verse passage – Ephesians 5:8-14(day five) The NIV translates verse 11, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” I like that picture and imagery. NOTHING!! Not acting. Not thinking. Not looking. Not questioning. Not wondering. When we even consider or dabble in those deeds of darkness, in a sense we “face” toward them. Our attention moves to them. Paul’s solution face the opposite direction. Towards God and His light and love. What compels us to do that? The priority and passion of pleasing Him. Notice all our attention and affection move from those deeds of darkness to pleasing the Lord. We move from nothing to all. All our time. All our thoughts. All our actions. All our questions and concerns. We mentally, emotionally, and spiritually shift to learning about the Lord and His character and nature, so that we might please Him.

Incubators

Re:Verse passage – Ephesians 4:17-24(day five). The point Paul wants to make is clear. Don’t walk like the Gentiles. Don’t behave or act like them. Don’t practice impurity or greediness. How did they get there? How do we get to the point where we would/could behave like that (like the Gentiles)?

The answer is “peppered” throughout this passage. Futility of their mind, vs 17. Darkened in their understanding, vs 18. Learn Christ, vs 20. Heard and been taught in Him, vs 21. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, vs 23. We must be ever cautious and careful of how we think and what enters our minds. Paul points out that our thoughts and minds are actually incubators- for either sin and ungodly behavior or for holiness and purity. As sinfulness begins with corrupted thinking and attitudes toward God, godliness begins with a transformed mind, filled with the righteousness and holiness of Gospel Truth.

Speaking in Love

Re:Verse passage – Ephesians 4:11-16 (day five)

“… speaking the truth in love” Ever thought how extremely difficult and complex that is? Let’s think larger… What about speaking anything and everything (not just truth) in love? Two quotes from books I’ve recently read come to mind. They challenge, convict, and influence me all the time.

“We are to speak with patience. Rash speech can quickly threaten godly endurance.” Sam Allberry (James for You)

“Being right is actually a very hard burden to be able to carry gracefully and humbly. That’s why nobody likes to sit next to the kid in class who’s right all the time. One of the hardest things in the world is to be right and not hurt other people with it.” Dallas Willard (Soul Keeping by John Ortberg)

May all our words/our speaking- (including truths, opinions, conversations, critiques, and questions) be seasoned with the unmistakeable love of Christ.

Already There

Re:Verse passage – Ephesians 4:1-6 (day five)

There’s no doubt that this section of Paul’s letter is about unity. What strikes me as I have read this text, is that unity is already there. We don’t (and can’t) create it or improve it. God has called us into an already existing unity (see vs 4-6). Our task and privilege is to “keep” or “preserve” it. One of the reasons we preserve fruit is so that it will taste the same whenever it is eaten instead of spoiling or rotting. Left unattended and ignored, fruit will eventually lose its fresh flavor. Same with unity. Left unattended, unity will not look or feel fresh and Holy. The process for preserving unity requires energy and intentionality (some versions say “make every effort”). Unity is one of God’s great gifts that we are called into and entrusted to keep and preserve.