Re: Verse reading–2 Chronicles 20:1-4, 13-15; Matthew 6:16-18; Acts 13:1-3 (day three)
“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” The indulging of bodily appetites become habits—but these habits are at their core spiritual habits, born as they are out of a longing for certainty, safety, love, joy, intimacy, dominion, community. These habits are attempts to fulfill these longings, and they will prevent us from placing our bodies before the Lord and listening to him. We cannot, by direct effort alone, hear God; our habitual practice has not trained to hear him but to hear our bodies instead. When we deny our bodies in a fast, the demands of our bodies grow louder at first, then weaken to the level at which we can isolate the Lord’s voice and listen to him.
Tag: Lord
What matters most?
Re: Verse reading–2 Chronicles 20:1-4, 13-15; Matthew 6:16-18; Acts 13:1-3 (day one)
“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” (2 Chronicles 20:3) It is a law of life. Everything is not equally important. All of us worth-ship some things and, therefore, not others. What matters most to you? The answer may not be apparent until a choice comes. Question–when you really need to concentrate on spiritual matters, can you clear your schedule and find the time to “be still and know that I am God.” Or, is your pattern of anxious seeking so unbreakable that you cannot clear your schedule (from meals or creature comforts) to seek God? We focus this week on fasting. Unfamiliar to some in a modern world, it still reflects the value structure of Jesus. “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Hearing from God matters more than another meal!
Faith–the door and the duty
Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day seven)
“The life that I now live I live by faith in the Son of God.” (Galatians 2:20) We are saved by faith. Sola Fides. “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15) “Not by works so that no one can boast”, says Ephesians 2:9. This must never suggest, however, that work is permanently be out of the equation. Jesus is the door. Narnia-like, we trust Him and walk into a new world. But Jesus is also the Lord. Once in this new world, we, believers, apply ourselves to every assignment, every attitude that requires change. Faith is the comprehensive word that describes both activities. Notice the juxtaposition in Ephesians 2? Salvation is not the WORK of any man. We are God’s WORKmanship. We are, nevertheless, made for good WORKS. The same faith that leads us to the door and through the door teaches us the duty of hard and grateful effort.
Faith IN Jesus Christ
Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day six)
“We. . .(know) that a man is not justified by observing the Law, but by faith IN Jesus Christ. . and the life that I now live, I live by faith IN the Son of God.” (Galatians 2:15-16, 20) Peculiar language. Very specific. Overlooked at times for its familiarity. Just as some people believe IN the power of positive thinking, we believe IN Jesus. Jesus is the FOCUS of our faith. No argument here. But, Paul may also be pointing to the LOCATION of the believer as he exercises faith. We are IN Christ, supernaturally joined to Him, resting in Him, obeying Him, rejoicing in Him. This union with Christ gives faith its power. Christians are not spectators to the life of God. We are participants. Shareholders. Are you IN Christ today, friend? Have you confessed Him as Lord? If He is IN you, you are IN Him. Trust! Discover the power of your new position!
Invisible
Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (Day Three)
“In all your ways acknowledge him.” Before there was a material realm, there was a spiritual realm. Without the spiritual realm, no material realm would exist. “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” Therefore, the material realm is dependent upon the spiritual realm for its origin and continued existence. Because this is true, every question that comes before you has a spiritual side to it. If we decide matters by only taking into account the finite, visible side, we will produce things that will not last. If, on the other hand, we take into account the infinite, invisible side, then we begin to acknowledge God in all our ways. Perhaps a helpful prayer is this: Lord, what am I not seeing?
True confession
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 51:1-19; 1 John 1:9 (day seven)
“If we confess our sins. . .” Confession in the Bible is a more specific word than we normally think. Homologeo (the Greek word) means “to speak the same thing” Homo=same. Logos=word. So, confession is more than secret sins finally admitted. More, even, than sorrow or regret. True confession is an agreement reached between a holy God and a sinner. A shared perspective, a joint statement of purpose going forward. It is an agreement on sin and the damage done. Good question. Have I waited for God on the subject of my sin? Do I know what He feels, thinks about it? Both are true–sin separates us from God and separation from God is our sin. “Come, let us reason TOGETHER,” says the Lord. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”–Isaiah 1:18. Have you had this hard and helpful conversation with God? It is what the Bible calls true confession.
A Contrite Heart
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 51:1-19; 1 John 1:9 (day four) What kind of sacrifices do you offer the Lord? Church attendance…weekday bible study…special offering at Christmas…occasionally tell someone what church you go to…or even go on a mission trip? All of these are good things, but God does not delight in them if you heart is not right with Him. Verses 16-17 say, “For You do not delight in sacrifice otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” A broken and contrite heart is a heart that recognizes the vast glory and righteousness of God and their own sinful and hopeless state. When Moses recognized he was in the presence of God at the burning bush, he hid his face. Isaiah, when he saw the Lord, said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, “ God delights in humility rather than sacrifice!
Dustbin
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 51; 1 John 1:9 (Day Three)
“My sin is always before me.” There comes a point where “Forgive me for all my sins” won’t say what needs saying. Sin doesn’t get swept into the dustbin by broad pronouncements in which you say, basically, “Mistakes were made,” and then get on with it. Sometimes, sitting with the Lord and looking at your sin—talking about how much you desire it, telling what you have done in order to make room for it—these are the not-so-quiet times that clean your heart.
We need to talk.
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 51; 1 John 1:9 (Day One)
“Have mercy on me, O God. . .For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, and you only have I sinned.” (Psalm 51:1, 3-4) We need to talk! Ever had a friend say this to you? Something hurtful has entered the relationship. Anger. Disagreement. Left unaddressed this tension will weaken the friendship and possibly destroy it. Only an honest, vulnerable conversation can deal with the disappointment and restore trust. Same with God. It is called confession. Not to priest, but to God Himself, by means of prayer. The subject? Sin. Hard? Yes. Embarrassing? Yes. Necessary? Yes. Psalm 51 may be the best know prayer of confession in the world. After his affair with Bathsheba, after he murders his friend to cover-up, David comes clean in a conversation with God. We all have much to learn from his example. Listen carefully, friend, you may hear the Lord say, “We need to talk.”
Godly examples of Bible study
RE Verse reading–Psalm 119:9-16; Acts 17:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day six)
“Continue in what you have learned. . . because you know those from whom you learned it.” (2 Timothy 3:14) One reason I believe the Bible is that God has given me godly examples of people who study and obey it. Jesus is first on the list. Reading the New Testament, it is hard not to notice how often Jesus reflects His own confidence in Scripture. Quoting it in temptation, referring to it in conflict, the Lord’s testimony is clear. Scripture is the reliable voice of the Father. Add to the Lord’s example (as if it were necessary) that of my grandmother and the people who led me to Christ and the godly professors I encountered in college and seminary. With one voice they all declared the same truth, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable.” (2 Timothy 3:16) The people you respect–what do their lives teach you about the place that God’s word should have in your life?