Tag: Lord

Growing

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 1:8-22, 2:1-10 (day two) But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread…1:12

Some of us do our best work when we face a deadline or some kind of pressure to finish. There is some kind of inborn fire that ignites when our back is to the wall and we must either succeed or fail. It is interesting that we don’t always use the same zeal when it comes to our faith. Consider the Israelites, brought from starvation to plenty through Joseph’s position and the Lord’s provision, they were now a large people group that caused Egyptian leadership to worry. As a result they were forced into slavery, forced labor. From plenty to hardship within a few generation. But rather than fade into obscurity, the people of Israel thrived and grew. Oppression brought courage, faith, and growth. They were a still a long way from the promised land, and had much to endure before their journey’s end, but they did not allow hardship to overcome them. May the same be said of us.

The Fish We Catch

Re: Verse reading–John 21:1-25  (day six)
“Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ “–v 10.

It is a small detail.  Easy to miss in the larger story.  Jesus used the fish his disciples caught to meet the needs of the morning.  Only speculation can tell us how the “first fish” got there.  Miracle?  Preplanning?  Whatever we conclude about the Lord’s provision, He didn’t do so much that the efforts of his disciples were extraneous.  The fish they caught were necessary, useful, valued.  None should think that God “needs” our efforts.  I do believe, however, that His love for us includes us in the work of His kingdom.  We are not passive observers.  We are “God’s fellow workers“–1 Corinthians 3:9.  We are servants of Christ and fishers of men.  Inspiring to consider.  Tomorrow at worship, the Lord may say to us, “bring some of the fish you have caught.  I will use your efforts to meet needs.”

You

Re: Verse reading–John 21:1-25 (day three)

“Lord, what about him?” We’ll often pursue anything except the hard work of self-leadership.  Self-leadership understood in light of our apprenticeship to Jesus is the act of ruthless moral inventory, confession of sin, and training in righteousness.  In Psalm 139, we see the proper progression of thought towards self-leadership: “I hate those who hate you, Lord…I count them my enemies.”  And then, “Search me, God…know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me…” [Emphasis added]  This is a move from external observation to internal yielding.  Peter moves in the exact opposite direction.  After discussing the need to surrender his spirit to Jesus’s lordship, Peter moves to the far less painful topic of other people.  Jesus rebukes him, as he will all of us: You.  Follow.  Me.

Not prisoners

Re: Verse reading–John 21:1-25 (day one) 
“We are all products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it.”–Rick Warren.

“A sunrise is God’s way of saying, ‘Let’s start again.’ “–Todd Stocker.

The Bible is a book about God.  His character, nature and promises.  It is also a book about people as they encounter God.  People who trust and follow.  People who (sometimes) make really foolish, really public mistakes.  People who find unexpected mercy.  Like Peter.  Please read John 21 this week.  Please watch with wonder the stubborn love that Jesus has for his friend, the divine determination that pursues and prods until Peter can process his failure and find forgiveness.  And when you see Christ-with-Peter will you think Christ-with-yourself?

“My SIN, O the bliss of this glorious thought, MY sin, not in part, but the WHOLE, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.  Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”–Horatio Spafford.

Holding on

Re: Verse reading–John 20:10-31  (day six)
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not returned to the Father.  Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father ‘ “–v 17.  May I ask you a question?  Are you holding onto Christ?    Matthew 28:9 describes it as an act of worship.  Even so, it was not what Jesus wanted from Mary.  Maybe she was determined to “never let Him go”, to return things back to a former chapter by force of will.  Maybe she was reluctant and unaware of the new chapter that was beginning.  Maybe she didn’t realize that by holding on to Him she was ignoring and delaying His immediate order to “go tell”.  Later that night, the Lord would tell all the  disciples, “As the Father sent me, so send I you”–v 21.   Are you holding onto the Lord or venturing out into the new life He has for you?

Living in Tension

Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day five)
John 19 “And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” Luke 9 58  “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

In Luke Jesus says the phrase “lay His head”.  John uses the phrase “Jesus bowed His head”.  Same Greek words in both verses.  No doubt John remembers Jesus’ words in Luke as He taught about the sacrifice and realities of knowing and following Jesus on the earth.  Mission and Ministry are more important than earthly comforts and treasures.

John observes that Jesus found the place that He did not have during His life on earth, when He gave up His life.  Culture and earthly desires fly in the face a soul that loves the Lord and yearns for Heaven. We live constantly in this tension- To embrace the mission and journey on earth, and also to be in a place of ultimate peace and rest.  Jesus models the perfect pattern for holding onto both ends of this rope.

Unfinished Business

Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day one) 
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ ”  It is one of my favorite Bible stories.  No words adequately describe this holy moment.  John remembers the last word coming from the Savior’s lips.  Finished!  (It is actually just one word in Greek)  His assignment from God was completely accomplished.  Jesus’ heart knew a deep satisfaction. Were these words spoken/shouted with a smile through parched and bloody lips?  Likely.  All of us can hope the same words will be ours at the end.  Even so, we must be careful lest the case be overstated.  The Lord is still VERY ACTIVE in our world!  Who intercedes for the saints?  The Lord! (see Hebrews 7:25) Who opens hearts to hear the word? (see Acts 16:14)  Who adds to the church those who are being saved? (see Acts 2:47)  Until His glorious return, the Lord will be actively involved with the world!  He has unfinished business with us.

Addition and subtraction

Re: Verse reading—John 15:1-17 (day six)
“He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit.  Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more”–v 2.  “The Lord was ADDING to their number day by day those who were being saved”–Acts 2:47.  It is a familiar face of God to us.  Giver.  Provider.  He ADDS people to our congregation, friends to our lives, money to our bank account.  Do we also recognize Him when He SUBTRACTS?  When He removes things from our lives so that we do not grow self-sufficient or proud?  (see 2 Corinthians 12.)  When He prunes away parts of our lives, creates discomfort–all in the pursuit of greater fruitfulness?  “The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord”, said Job in the midst of his heartbreak.  (Job 1:21.)  May we be as quick to recognize our Father’s hand in times of change and difficulty.  He adds and subtracts.  We trust Him, either way.

Heaven help us

Re: Verse reading–John 14:1-14 (day seven)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God, believe also in me”–v 1.  Truth is practical.  Knowing it, holding it in your mind has a positive, powerful effect.  In the midst of a crisis, Jesus is encouraging his disciples.  His approach is to move their minds from anxiety to certainty.  He asks them to think about Heaven, to count on it, to depend on His power to bring it about.  What happens when we do what the Lord was asking them?  Courage comes!  Stress subsides!  Fear flees!  Are you willing to take instruction from the greatest leader that the world has ever known?  Think Heaven!  Say to yourself, “This world is not my home.  Heaven is.”  Remind yourself to not be disappointed when this world does not reward or recognize faith.  Your reward will come later.  Those who “think heaven” find that it has a powerful and positive effect on their lives now.

Responding

Re: Verse reading–John 14:1-14 (day three)
“…Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” vs 3

Moses made that request before Philip did.  God replied to Moses that no one would be able to endure the sight of God’s face; he would see all of God he needed to see by beholding God at a distance, with his face turned away.  Jesus replied to Philip that he would see all of God he needed to see by beholding the God the Son.  We will not see God on our terms, but on his.  But the view that God allows on his terms is enough to build our entire lives on.  The question, then, is not, “How much of God have you seen?” but, “How are you responding to however much of himself God has revealed to you?”