Dang. I am way behind. This week has been so long that its all running together. Tests, papers, homework, classes, gross. In any event, this post covers Tuesday through today.
Last night at homegroup a friend said that he felt earlier in the week like he had gotten to a good place and could therefore sit back and relax. He said he quickly realized that this was not true, but it is a trap that is easy to fall into. "I'm doing well," "I prayed today," "I haven't been partying," etc. We pat ourselves on the back and stop our work. Tuesday was about hungering for God, and that is just what that is all about. It's like a multi-course meal. God has given us the appetizer, and we have to tell him we are ready for the next course, and pursue it. This goes along with the thirst that Wednesday was focused on.
"The Heart Cry"
"Are you longing for more? Are you tired of feeling like you are just going through the motions in your spiritual life?" While these questions are like asking if you have ever eaten before (yes, obviously) they are good reminders. It is easy to slip into a routine and stay in it, but that is where the passion is lost. This cannot be about simply checking off the box, it has to be about so much more than that.
I love the verse they use for yesterday.
Psalm 27:4 - One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
And back to today. Well that was easy wasn't it?
"Often we give the Lord token time and attention, the kind of attention that would be an insult to someone we loved." Bam, that's a kick in the gut. But it is so true. Do I ever ask God what he wants or am I just telling him and asking him for things I want? I know that I do ask what he wants, but this I feel is a good question to use. He wants to move in us. Are we willing?
Isaiah 6:8 - Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Seeking His Face
Today while searching through the book of Isaiah for the verse I used in yesterday's post I "stumbled" across this one. The title of the chapter is "True Fasting." Thank you.
1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Isaiah 58:1-9a
It's not enough for us to simply deny ourselves during a fast. We must also earnestly seek to serve our brothers and sister, which we are always supposed to be doing, but for me fasting is a wonderful way to be reminded over and over again of something. In my case, recognizing the things I need to be doing, rather than the things I am giving up, is hugely advantageous and helps me to focus. We are not supposed to focus on ourselves or our "hunger" pains, we are supposed to carry on as though we are not fasting, never calling attention to ourselves.
Matthew 6:16-19 - 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
That's all I really have today.
"Remember, God made you special, and He loves you very much!" - Bob and Larry, Veggie Tales
1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Isaiah 58:1-9a
It's not enough for us to simply deny ourselves during a fast. We must also earnestly seek to serve our brothers and sister, which we are always supposed to be doing, but for me fasting is a wonderful way to be reminded over and over again of something. In my case, recognizing the things I need to be doing, rather than the things I am giving up, is hugely advantageous and helps me to focus. We are not supposed to focus on ourselves or our "hunger" pains, we are supposed to carry on as though we are not fasting, never calling attention to ourselves.
Matthew 6:16-19 - 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
That's all I really have today.
"Remember, God made you special, and He loves you very much!" - Bob and Larry, Veggie Tales
Sunday, February 20, 2011
On Eagles Wings
Isiah 40:28-31 - 28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Day 7 - "He Will Lift Us Up"
Week one is almost over and I feel like I have now seen humility explained from about 1000 different perspectives and examples. I'm glad week 2 begins a new topic. I do not say that as a criticism, but merely as an admission that I want to explore some more topics.
Today's verse is James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. The end of that phrase reminded me of an old hymn we used to always sing in church, but that I have not heard in a long time, outside of my own head. If you aren't familiar with the song, check out the lyrics here.
That was always one of my favorites growing up, and I am reminded of it frequently.
Humility has been described in a number of ways, but one of the easiest ways to apply it in my opinion is from a perspective of giving up our pride, self-arrogance, and plans and follow God's will for our lives.
Interestingly enough, eagles do not always have a positive light cast upon them in the bible. For example, they are one of the "unclean" animals not to be eaten (Leviticus 11:13; Deuteronomy 14:12), and foreign armies and oppressors are described as "eagles swooping down on their prey." (Job 9:26) Does this mean anything? Yes and no. Eagles are neither inherently good or evil, but they are a great example of how anything can be used to serve God's will.
Back to the devotional though. "In everyday life the humble and self-effacing person eventually prospers and wins the respect of others far more than the arrogant, proud and powerful person." Sort of, but I'm not sure I'm on board all the way with this one. In the eyes of Christ, yes, but if you thank of the most famous/popular people in the world, who are respected for who knows why the list isn't exactly choc full of "humble and self-effacing," or modest, people. It should be though. In fact, why isn't it?
People cry foul whenever their favorite celebrities and sports stars get caught messing up, but when they are winning, or performing well, their zany tendencies and self-centerdness is ignored. After Michael Vick and Ben Roethlisberger returned to the NFL from their respective suspensions we kept hearing "winning cures everything," and "if they want to silence the boos, they need to win football games." What the heck is that?
Matthew 7:1-5 - 1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
You know that I'm not saying we should ignore peoples errors and sins, nor do I think we should "boo" someone because of what they did or were accused of doing, but what if we simply encouraged repentance and love, and helped others instead of beating them down? How do we see with these 2X4s in our eyes?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Day 7 - "He Will Lift Us Up"
Week one is almost over and I feel like I have now seen humility explained from about 1000 different perspectives and examples. I'm glad week 2 begins a new topic. I do not say that as a criticism, but merely as an admission that I want to explore some more topics.
Today's verse is James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. The end of that phrase reminded me of an old hymn we used to always sing in church, but that I have not heard in a long time, outside of my own head. If you aren't familiar with the song, check out the lyrics here.
That was always one of my favorites growing up, and I am reminded of it frequently.
Humility has been described in a number of ways, but one of the easiest ways to apply it in my opinion is from a perspective of giving up our pride, self-arrogance, and plans and follow God's will for our lives.
Interestingly enough, eagles do not always have a positive light cast upon them in the bible. For example, they are one of the "unclean" animals not to be eaten (Leviticus 11:13; Deuteronomy 14:12), and foreign armies and oppressors are described as "eagles swooping down on their prey." (Job 9:26) Does this mean anything? Yes and no. Eagles are neither inherently good or evil, but they are a great example of how anything can be used to serve God's will.
Back to the devotional though. "In everyday life the humble and self-effacing person eventually prospers and wins the respect of others far more than the arrogant, proud and powerful person." Sort of, but I'm not sure I'm on board all the way with this one. In the eyes of Christ, yes, but if you thank of the most famous/popular people in the world, who are respected for who knows why the list isn't exactly choc full of "humble and self-effacing," or modest, people. It should be though. In fact, why isn't it?
People cry foul whenever their favorite celebrities and sports stars get caught messing up, but when they are winning, or performing well, their zany tendencies and self-centerdness is ignored. After Michael Vick and Ben Roethlisberger returned to the NFL from their respective suspensions we kept hearing "winning cures everything," and "if they want to silence the boos, they need to win football games." What the heck is that?
Matthew 7:1-5 - 1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
You know that I'm not saying we should ignore peoples errors and sins, nor do I think we should "boo" someone because of what they did or were accused of doing, but what if we simply encouraged repentance and love, and helped others instead of beating them down? How do we see with these 2X4s in our eyes?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Before God and Men
Lets go deeper.
This is what I think every time I read one of these devotional entries.
Lets go deeper.
It's not that this guide isn't great, I feel that it is supposed to be a springboard, and if that is it's purpose, if it is supposed to get me thinking, then it is doing and has done it's job.
Today's message is again about humility. I read through the passage, reflecting silently that this is the continuation of the argument for, push towards, humility. Then I read this: "God will remain distant and aloof, even opposing us(James 4:6) until we choose to humble ourselves." I'm not sure how I feel about that statement. Here's the actual verse:
James 4:6 - But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
What do you think? I see that it says that God opposes the proud, but I struggle to think that the God that "so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son" is distant or aloof. I feel this heading towards an argument of doctrine, and I'm sure towards a place of contention and confusion, but here goes anyway.
According to Merriam-Webster, aloof means "removed or distant either emotionally or physically." This is getting confusing already. Isn't God omnipresent? Didn't he die for us? Doesn't he leave the other 99 sheep to find us?
Matthew 18:12-14 - 12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Another example, the Prodigal or Lost Son. Most know the story, but a quick refresher: A man has two sons, one asks for his part of the estate, leaves, blows through his money, hires himself out, and literally eats the same food that he is bringing out to the pigs because he has no food.
Luke 15:17-24,31-32 - 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
He ran home to his father, expecting nothing but to become a servant. He knew his wrongdoings and was willing to pay the time.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
The brother of the lost son is angry that his father is treating his brother so well despite his sins, and his father answers him, God answers us:
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
God is certainly not pleased by our sins and shortfalls, but he does not abandon us. He loves us completely, he died for us. He welcomes us home with open arms and even chases after us.
Now don't read this as an attack on the guide, but I think it is important to examine and not simply blindly follow. If the words are God's they will always stand up to even the most thorough examination. We are not to test the Lord, but I often feel that he enjoys being examined and explored because it draws us nearer to him.
I am with you
I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you
I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
'Cause you're not
You're not alone
- Red, Not Alone
p.s. Check out Red's new album, Until We Have Faces, very awesome!
This is what I think every time I read one of these devotional entries.
Lets go deeper.
It's not that this guide isn't great, I feel that it is supposed to be a springboard, and if that is it's purpose, if it is supposed to get me thinking, then it is doing and has done it's job.
Today's message is again about humility. I read through the passage, reflecting silently that this is the continuation of the argument for, push towards, humility. Then I read this: "God will remain distant and aloof, even opposing us(James 4:6) until we choose to humble ourselves." I'm not sure how I feel about that statement. Here's the actual verse:
James 4:6 - But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
What do you think? I see that it says that God opposes the proud, but I struggle to think that the God that "so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son" is distant or aloof. I feel this heading towards an argument of doctrine, and I'm sure towards a place of contention and confusion, but here goes anyway.
According to Merriam-Webster, aloof means "removed or distant either emotionally or physically." This is getting confusing already. Isn't God omnipresent? Didn't he die for us? Doesn't he leave the other 99 sheep to find us?
Matthew 18:12-14 - 12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Another example, the Prodigal or Lost Son. Most know the story, but a quick refresher: A man has two sons, one asks for his part of the estate, leaves, blows through his money, hires himself out, and literally eats the same food that he is bringing out to the pigs because he has no food.
Luke 15:17-24,31-32 - 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
He ran home to his father, expecting nothing but to become a servant. He knew his wrongdoings and was willing to pay the time.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
The brother of the lost son is angry that his father is treating his brother so well despite his sins, and his father answers him, God answers us:
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
God is certainly not pleased by our sins and shortfalls, but he does not abandon us. He loves us completely, he died for us. He welcomes us home with open arms and even chases after us.
Now don't read this as an attack on the guide, but I think it is important to examine and not simply blindly follow. If the words are God's they will always stand up to even the most thorough examination. We are not to test the Lord, but I often feel that he enjoys being examined and explored because it draws us nearer to him.
I am with you
I will carry you through it all
I won't leave you
I will catch you
When you feel like letting go
'Cause you're not
You're not alone
- Red, Not Alone
p.s. Check out Red's new album, Until We Have Faces, very awesome!
Pride
The title of today's devotional is "Pride: Enemy of God." Those of you who go to Fellowship will remember Steve Kessler's recent message on pride, and Ray's about the temptation of Jesus. It's beginning to seem like the whole point of this fasting thing is a search for humbleness and humility. Oh yeah, that's because it is.
The scripture for today's message is James 4:6 - "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." I am immediately reminded of the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:3-11
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
This has always been a difficult passage for me to work through because it is so tempting to associate many of these qualities with weakness. However, as I have grown in my faith I have begun to recognize that these qualities are not signs of weakness, but of humble submission to God's will. The way Jesus concludes this teaching is one of my favorite encouragements he offers in his ministry.
Matthew 5:12 - Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
I like how the New Living translation translates the beginning of the verse: "Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven." Our reward does not come from our works or our "holiness." It is the direct gift of Jesus to us as a result of his sacrifice. So how does this relate to pride?
We have to push aside not only our earthly desires, but also the pride that is easily hidden or even unnoticed by us. We have a problem and try to solve it without pausing to pray. We don't even think to pray because of our subconscious pride!
This reminds me of something that just happened. Our neighbor Colleen was driving to Oklahoma, but her car broke down just outside of Waco. She texted us and asked us to pray about the situation. Everyone in the house immediately began thinking about how to remedy the situation, should we drive up there, should we have her car towed, etc. After a few hours we finally realized that we hadn't ever prayed about it. We finally did and just a few moments later got texts/calls that the car was running again. It should not have been running, it showed no signs of life, but suddenly it was up and running again.
I want to eliminate the hidden pride from my life. I don't even know how to do it, but I want to. Oh, and the regular pride can go too....
The scripture for today's message is James 4:6 - "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." I am immediately reminded of the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:3-11
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
This has always been a difficult passage for me to work through because it is so tempting to associate many of these qualities with weakness. However, as I have grown in my faith I have begun to recognize that these qualities are not signs of weakness, but of humble submission to God's will. The way Jesus concludes this teaching is one of my favorite encouragements he offers in his ministry.
Matthew 5:12 - Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
I like how the New Living translation translates the beginning of the verse: "Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven." Our reward does not come from our works or our "holiness." It is the direct gift of Jesus to us as a result of his sacrifice. So how does this relate to pride?
We have to push aside not only our earthly desires, but also the pride that is easily hidden or even unnoticed by us. We have a problem and try to solve it without pausing to pray. We don't even think to pray because of our subconscious pride!
This reminds me of something that just happened. Our neighbor Colleen was driving to Oklahoma, but her car broke down just outside of Waco. She texted us and asked us to pray about the situation. Everyone in the house immediately began thinking about how to remedy the situation, should we drive up there, should we have her car towed, etc. After a few hours we finally realized that we hadn't ever prayed about it. We finally did and just a few moments later got texts/calls that the car was running again. It should not have been running, it showed no signs of life, but suddenly it was up and running again.
I want to eliminate the hidden pride from my life. I don't even know how to do it, but I want to. Oh, and the regular pride can go too....
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Life Surrendered
This morning I woke up with Proverbs 19:1-2 on my mind. I didn't know what it was so I looked it up.
Proverbs 19:1-2
1 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
I didn't really know what to make of this passage. I had not slept very well and when I woke up my mind was already racing with plans and ideas. I read "how much more will hasty feet miss the way!" over and over again.
Confused and restless, as well as bitter that I had gotten up so early on my sleep in day, I slowly made my way downstairs and grabbed the Divine Experiment devotional. "A Life Surrendered" was the title of today's devotional, and it was all about Jesus' full submission to the Father's will. The booklet gave numerous verses associated with this that really go well with yesterday's topic, Jesus: Our Example.
John 6:38 - I have not come to do my own will but that of the Father.
The booklet says "Jesus emptied Himself of His divine prerogatives as eternal deity and became a servant so that God might be all in all in his life." In the garden of Gethsemane hours before his execution Jesus cries out in Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
It's funny how every time we try to name a good example of a certain virtue or quality one person always seems to jokingly say Jesus, but in fact, he is the perfect example, and the only one at that. He knew the Father's will for him and he did surrender his life to His will so that we might live.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
And it is by his death, and by that sacrifice alone that we are reconciled.
Ephesians 2:4-10 - 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
These passages are a wonderful reminder of God's love for us, but I was still feeling burdened and weak as I read them. Then, in my attempt to find 2 Corinthians 4:8-12, I somehow ended up a few chapters later.
2 Corinthians 12:5-10 - 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
At this point I had realized that instead of answering my first question, I had answered other questions and posed many more. Are my hasty feet causing me to miss the way? Do I trust God enough to do his will? Do I believe that his "grace is sufficient," and that his "power is made perfect" in my weaknesses? Do I celebrate the hard times and use them as opportunities? And am I willing to believe that "when I am weak, then I am strong?"
This is a lot to swallow, and having spent the entire day on it, I am no closer to an answer than when these questions first arrived. But maybe that's because these aren't one-time questions. Maybe they are questions to take with us.
"You're my beloved, lover I'm yours.
Death shall not part us, it's you I died for..."
- Beloved, Tenth Avenue North
Proverbs 19:1-2
1 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.
2 Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
I didn't really know what to make of this passage. I had not slept very well and when I woke up my mind was already racing with plans and ideas. I read "how much more will hasty feet miss the way!" over and over again.
Confused and restless, as well as bitter that I had gotten up so early on my sleep in day, I slowly made my way downstairs and grabbed the Divine Experiment devotional. "A Life Surrendered" was the title of today's devotional, and it was all about Jesus' full submission to the Father's will. The booklet gave numerous verses associated with this that really go well with yesterday's topic, Jesus: Our Example.
John 6:38 - I have not come to do my own will but that of the Father.
The booklet says "Jesus emptied Himself of His divine prerogatives as eternal deity and became a servant so that God might be all in all in his life." In the garden of Gethsemane hours before his execution Jesus cries out in Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
It's funny how every time we try to name a good example of a certain virtue or quality one person always seems to jokingly say Jesus, but in fact, he is the perfect example, and the only one at that. He knew the Father's will for him and he did surrender his life to His will so that we might live.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
And it is by his death, and by that sacrifice alone that we are reconciled.
Ephesians 2:4-10 - 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
These passages are a wonderful reminder of God's love for us, but I was still feeling burdened and weak as I read them. Then, in my attempt to find 2 Corinthians 4:8-12, I somehow ended up a few chapters later.
2 Corinthians 12:5-10 - 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
At this point I had realized that instead of answering my first question, I had answered other questions and posed many more. Are my hasty feet causing me to miss the way? Do I trust God enough to do his will? Do I believe that his "grace is sufficient," and that his "power is made perfect" in my weaknesses? Do I celebrate the hard times and use them as opportunities? And am I willing to believe that "when I am weak, then I am strong?"
This is a lot to swallow, and having spent the entire day on it, I am no closer to an answer than when these questions first arrived. But maybe that's because these aren't one-time questions. Maybe they are questions to take with us.
"You're my beloved, lover I'm yours.
Death shall not part us, it's you I died for..."
- Beloved, Tenth Avenue North
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Day 3
So, I was raised a Catholic. Maybe that's why I've always been hesitant about fasting. Lent never made a whole lot of sense to me, probably because it's true purpose has been lost or distorted, or at the very least it never got through my thick skull. So why do we fast?
Matthew 4:1-3 - 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Man there is a lot to unpack in that before we even get to Jesus' answer. As the title for today's devotional for the DE goes: Jesus: Our Example.
Fasting is an incredibly humbling experience. Being on day three, I'm beginning to recognize that this is not going to be as easy as I may have led myself to believe. Jesus was and is the perfect example of humility.
Phil 2:5-8 - 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Wow. He humbled himself to come down from heaven, take on human flesh and die in the most painful and don't forget embarrassing way imaginable. Going back to Matthew 4:2 "he was hungry." Really? Ya think? 40 days without food, in the desert. I'd need at least some crackers and a juice box. The devil, knowing Jesus' power tells him to simply turn the rocks into bread. Why doesn't Jesus?
Matthew 4:4 - 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Jesus' answer is a heavy one. He is saying much more than just that God's word is everything, he is saying that he has humbled himself, and will not break his fast. He will continue to suffer until his fast is over, and will not succumb to the temptation.
Satan eventually leaves Jesus, but not before tempting him two more times with even greater challenges. Then in Matthew 4:11 it says that Jesus was attended to by angels. The concept of angels is one that is tough to grasp. My head hurts just thinking about it. But I have to admit, I love the idea of God rewarding my trust in his will by having his angels care for me, and I know that in times when I have fasted from food I have felt hunger, and other times I have felt inexplicable fullness, for lack of a better word.
With fasting comes a number of challenges, not the least of which is remembering which things to fast from. But there is a small joy in my heart in the victory of remembering not to do something because it reminds me of why I am doing this.
The devotional guide asks "Jesus was willing to be rejected and misunderstood by men for the sake of redemption. Are we willing to do the same?" Jesus tells us to "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations," but no one said it would be easy. We will be misunderstood at every turn in our life, and during these 21 days, but I pray that those of us in this experiment, and all of us for that matter, will remember the following.
1 Peter 3:15-18 - 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
I have hope, and I know it will grow as these days go by.
Matthew 4:1-3 - 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Man there is a lot to unpack in that before we even get to Jesus' answer. As the title for today's devotional for the DE goes: Jesus: Our Example.
Fasting is an incredibly humbling experience. Being on day three, I'm beginning to recognize that this is not going to be as easy as I may have led myself to believe. Jesus was and is the perfect example of humility.
Phil 2:5-8 - 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Wow. He humbled himself to come down from heaven, take on human flesh and die in the most painful and don't forget embarrassing way imaginable. Going back to Matthew 4:2 "he was hungry." Really? Ya think? 40 days without food, in the desert. I'd need at least some crackers and a juice box. The devil, knowing Jesus' power tells him to simply turn the rocks into bread. Why doesn't Jesus?
Matthew 4:4 - 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Jesus' answer is a heavy one. He is saying much more than just that God's word is everything, he is saying that he has humbled himself, and will not break his fast. He will continue to suffer until his fast is over, and will not succumb to the temptation.
Satan eventually leaves Jesus, but not before tempting him two more times with even greater challenges. Then in Matthew 4:11 it says that Jesus was attended to by angels. The concept of angels is one that is tough to grasp. My head hurts just thinking about it. But I have to admit, I love the idea of God rewarding my trust in his will by having his angels care for me, and I know that in times when I have fasted from food I have felt hunger, and other times I have felt inexplicable fullness, for lack of a better word.
With fasting comes a number of challenges, not the least of which is remembering which things to fast from. But there is a small joy in my heart in the victory of remembering not to do something because it reminds me of why I am doing this.
The devotional guide asks "Jesus was willing to be rejected and misunderstood by men for the sake of redemption. Are we willing to do the same?" Jesus tells us to "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations," but no one said it would be easy. We will be misunderstood at every turn in our life, and during these 21 days, but I pray that those of us in this experiment, and all of us for that matter, will remember the following.
1 Peter 3:15-18 - 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
I have hope, and I know it will grow as these days go by.
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