Read Matthew 11:25-30
Context: Jesus was teaching the crowds in Galillee. John the Baptist's followers had just asked him if he was the 'one who was to come', and he has just finished denouncing the cities who had not repented when he preached there.
Text:
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Were you weary and burdened last night? I know that I was, and I had a hard time turning my concerns over to God. Our power was out, the storm was loud and wild, and I had been looking forward to the first day of school so I could work uninterrupted on a project that is due tomorrow. Which happened to be locked in my computer that was dead due to the power outage. I mentally took inventory of the refrigerator and freezer, calculating what we might lose and figuring out how to feed the family with the least possible number of times to open the fridge. I tried to figure out where I would need to take my computer so I could get power. I wondered if that was thunder or the dreaded 'freight train' sound that we in North County have learned to fear. I planned the fastest way to get our kids out of bed and down in the basement in the least amount of time. Did you do the same?
Yet despite my concerns and frantic plans, I knew that God would take care of us. Yes, it would be a hardship to be without power for several days, but we've survived that before. I think that is a key difference between those of us who have accepted a Savior and those who haven't. I know without a doubt that God will provide for us, regardless of the situation. As my concerns turned to prayers, I fell back asleep.
At about 6:00 this morning out power came back on, and while my day isn't quite what I had planned, I know it will all work out. As you read this, I know that you, too, have power this morning (both of the electrical and Spiritual kind). Check on those you know who might not have power this morning and see what you can do to help! Maybe the best thing you could do is pray that they, too, rest easy under the yoke of Jesus.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
Aug 10 - When God Says "No"
Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Context: People in Corinth had been listening to false teachers who criticized Paul and his 'real' purpose, trying to get people to think Paul was a fraud. He has just finished explaining many of the things he has suffered for the gospel, boasting in his suffering.
Text:
1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even 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.
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But 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. 10That 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. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
As humans, we suffer through many things. We have financial, health, and relationship problems. Some of these we bring on ourselves, others come unbidden and unwanted. Even Paul, a man who was obviously chosen by God to be transformed from a foe to a preacher of the faith, had a 'thorn in his side.' He had pleaded with God to take it away, but God said, "No."
Do you have something that you have been praying about for a long time? Something that hinders your life everyday? You know that you could be so much more effective in serving God if he would just take it away, but he just doesn't see it that way. Sometimes these thorns keep us close to God's side. If we didn't have them, we might stray away, thinking that we didn't really need him. Of course we tell him that this would never happen, but he knows us better than we know ourselves.
If you have prayed that God would take away an illness, a handicap, a weakness for certain temptations, or even a difficult person to deal with and he doesn't seem to be listening, it is time to rethink the situation. Maybe he has allowed this 'thorn' to continue in your life just so you will cling to him. Maybe you are to work through it and be better able to help others in the same situation. You may not know why you suffer with it until you get to Heaven, and then everything will be clear. In the meantime, remember that God knows best. He's not being cruel to you by not taking away your thorn...he might be blessing your life in ways you can't understand. His grace is sufficient to help you get through.
Context: People in Corinth had been listening to false teachers who criticized Paul and his 'real' purpose, trying to get people to think Paul was a fraud. He has just finished explaining many of the things he has suffered for the gospel, boasting in his suffering.
Text:
1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6Even 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.
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But 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. 10That 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. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
As humans, we suffer through many things. We have financial, health, and relationship problems. Some of these we bring on ourselves, others come unbidden and unwanted. Even Paul, a man who was obviously chosen by God to be transformed from a foe to a preacher of the faith, had a 'thorn in his side.' He had pleaded with God to take it away, but God said, "No."
Do you have something that you have been praying about for a long time? Something that hinders your life everyday? You know that you could be so much more effective in serving God if he would just take it away, but he just doesn't see it that way. Sometimes these thorns keep us close to God's side. If we didn't have them, we might stray away, thinking that we didn't really need him. Of course we tell him that this would never happen, but he knows us better than we know ourselves.
If you have prayed that God would take away an illness, a handicap, a weakness for certain temptations, or even a difficult person to deal with and he doesn't seem to be listening, it is time to rethink the situation. Maybe he has allowed this 'thorn' to continue in your life just so you will cling to him. Maybe you are to work through it and be better able to help others in the same situation. You may not know why you suffer with it until you get to Heaven, and then everything will be clear. In the meantime, remember that God knows best. He's not being cruel to you by not taking away your thorn...he might be blessing your life in ways you can't understand. His grace is sufficient to help you get through.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Aug 9 - Grumble No More
Read Philippians 2:12-18
Context: Paul has been talking about how we should take the hope and encouragement we get from being Christians and use it to become more Christ-like.
Text:
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[a] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Philippians 2:16 Or hold on to
taken from www.biblegateway.com
We are told in this passage to do everything without complaining or grumbling...I don't know about you, but that's tough for me! I desperately want the world to run logically, for life to run smoothly, and for the kids to put their dishes in the dishwasher, but somehow it just doesn't happen. But Paul doesn't just give us tough advice to follow, he also gives us the means. If you look back to verse 13, God is working in us to help us do the right thing! In fact, he gives us both the will and the ability to act on what is right if we turn to him for help.
Your challenge today is to keep track of your grumblings or complaints. Don't beat yourself up over it, just figure out how often you do it. If you understand when and why you complain, it is easier to find another way to deal with your frustration. Track each complaint for a few days, and you'll quickly find that you are grumbling less often because it's easier NOT to complain than it is to write down each time you do it.
Context: Paul has been talking about how we should take the hope and encouragement we get from being Christians and use it to become more Christ-like.
Text:
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[a] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Philippians 2:16 Or hold on to
taken from www.biblegateway.com
We are told in this passage to do everything without complaining or grumbling...I don't know about you, but that's tough for me! I desperately want the world to run logically, for life to run smoothly, and for the kids to put their dishes in the dishwasher, but somehow it just doesn't happen. But Paul doesn't just give us tough advice to follow, he also gives us the means. If you look back to verse 13, God is working in us to help us do the right thing! In fact, he gives us both the will and the ability to act on what is right if we turn to him for help.
Your challenge today is to keep track of your grumblings or complaints. Don't beat yourself up over it, just figure out how often you do it. If you understand when and why you complain, it is easier to find another way to deal with your frustration. Track each complaint for a few days, and you'll quickly find that you are grumbling less often because it's easier NOT to complain than it is to write down each time you do it.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
We Choose
Read Romans 1:18-20 and 28-32
Context: Apparently the church in Rome had never been taught by an apostle, so the things they had learned were diluted and in some cases flat-out wrong. Among other things, Paul wrote to present the basic steps of salvation.
Text:
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you ever known people who really enjoyed fighting against authority? All you have to do is give them a rule, and they will go out of their way to break it (hmmm, my kids are like that somedays). They clearly know they are doing wrong, and they flaunt it. Often they pressure others into joining them. It can't be too bad if everyone is doing it, right? After a while it doesn't seem wrong anymore -- it's just who they are.
Some of these folks make our headlines every day and unfortunately become role models for our lives. It seems like they are getting away with it, even prospering from it. So where is God?
He's right where he's always been, and he is angry and saddened by the choices people make. God lets us make our choice, but he stands firm as the ultimate fair judge...sin will be punished unless we have humbled ourselves in his presence.
I've met people who believe in heaven, but can't believe that a loving God would create a place like hell. They firmly believe that all people go to heaven when they die. The Bible states otherwise. Hell isn't necessarily a place God created...it is the place where God's presence cannot be found.
Some choose life and some choose death. On Judgement Day, God honors our choice with the natural consequences. He doesn't send us to Hell, we've already bought the non-refundable ticket and he waves us through that wide gate.
Let's help others understand that they have the power to choose what eternity they will live, and help them choose life!
Context: Apparently the church in Rome had never been taught by an apostle, so the things they had learned were diluted and in some cases flat-out wrong. Among other things, Paul wrote to present the basic steps of salvation.
Text:
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you ever known people who really enjoyed fighting against authority? All you have to do is give them a rule, and they will go out of their way to break it (hmmm, my kids are like that somedays). They clearly know they are doing wrong, and they flaunt it. Often they pressure others into joining them. It can't be too bad if everyone is doing it, right? After a while it doesn't seem wrong anymore -- it's just who they are.
Some of these folks make our headlines every day and unfortunately become role models for our lives. It seems like they are getting away with it, even prospering from it. So where is God?
He's right where he's always been, and he is angry and saddened by the choices people make. God lets us make our choice, but he stands firm as the ultimate fair judge...sin will be punished unless we have humbled ourselves in his presence.
I've met people who believe in heaven, but can't believe that a loving God would create a place like hell. They firmly believe that all people go to heaven when they die. The Bible states otherwise. Hell isn't necessarily a place God created...it is the place where God's presence cannot be found.
Some choose life and some choose death. On Judgement Day, God honors our choice with the natural consequences. He doesn't send us to Hell, we've already bought the non-refundable ticket and he waves us through that wide gate.
Let's help others understand that they have the power to choose what eternity they will live, and help them choose life!
Friday, August 3, 2007
The Journey's End
Read 2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18 (a short one...it's Friday!)
Context: The Corinthian Christian churches were being infiltrated by false teachers, and many were turning away from the truth to follow paths that seemed easier or more logical.
Text:
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. NIV)
Taken from www.biblegateway.com
It is hard to read this verse without thinking of one of FCCF's former youth ministers, Chris Stewart. He preached a sermon on this text one Wednesday night and I can still hear his voice. He reminded us that if all of human history was plotted on one of the beams in the ceiling of Stage One, it would represent one teeny tiny dot. Eternity, on the other hand, was the rest of the beam...and every other beam in the world!
I know that some days seem to take forever...a car trip with children, Christmas Eve, a family reunion (oops, did I really type that????), and the day when you wait for medical test results. But if you look back at your life, those times are actually a very small portion of our time on earth. Our whole life is like that when we compare it to the eternity that God has planned for us.
So hang in there...Friday may be long but the weekend's coming. The same goes for our life...let's enjoy the journey but remember that the destination is more fabulous than we can even imagine.
Context: The Corinthian Christian churches were being infiltrated by false teachers, and many were turning away from the truth to follow paths that seemed easier or more logical.
Text:
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. NIV)
Taken from www.biblegateway.com
It is hard to read this verse without thinking of one of FCCF's former youth ministers, Chris Stewart. He preached a sermon on this text one Wednesday night and I can still hear his voice. He reminded us that if all of human history was plotted on one of the beams in the ceiling of Stage One, it would represent one teeny tiny dot. Eternity, on the other hand, was the rest of the beam...and every other beam in the world!
I know that some days seem to take forever...a car trip with children, Christmas Eve, a family reunion (oops, did I really type that????), and the day when you wait for medical test results. But if you look back at your life, those times are actually a very small portion of our time on earth. Our whole life is like that when we compare it to the eternity that God has planned for us.
So hang in there...Friday may be long but the weekend's coming. The same goes for our life...let's enjoy the journey but remember that the destination is more fabulous than we can even imagine.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Aug 2 - Fear That Becomes Faith -- And Vice-Versa
Read Matthew 14:22-33
Context: John the Baptist has just been beheaded by Herod, and Jesus took a boat to a private place when he heard the news. A large crowd followed him, and he had compassion -- healing and speaking with them, and feeding them all with five loaves and two fish.
Text:
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance[a] from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Matthew 14:24 Greek many stadia
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Peter has always been one of my favorite Biblical leaders. He said what he thought and he often unintentionally provided great lessons for us.
This story, however, seems to be the one that most mirrors real life...not because we can walk on water, but because of the progression of faith. Often we don't really see Jesus until we are in the middle of a storm, and his visible presence gives us the faith to move forward -- even to do things we aren't sure we can do. But once we take our eyes off of him and remember the trials we are in the midst of, we falter and fail despite the tangible evidence of his support.
But in that failing, we cry out to him and he is right there, pulling us back up.
Would Peter's faith have been stronger if he'd never looked away from Jesus? Knowing what we do about him, most likely he would have bragged about 'his' great feat. The reminder of his humanity gave him a wet lesson he would always remember...and probably laughed about in years to come.
Context: John the Baptist has just been beheaded by Herod, and Jesus took a boat to a private place when he heard the news. A large crowd followed him, and he had compassion -- healing and speaking with them, and feeding them all with five loaves and two fish.
Text:
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance[a] from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (NIV)
Footnotes:
Matthew 14:24 Greek many stadia
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Peter has always been one of my favorite Biblical leaders. He said what he thought and he often unintentionally provided great lessons for us.
This story, however, seems to be the one that most mirrors real life...not because we can walk on water, but because of the progression of faith. Often we don't really see Jesus until we are in the middle of a storm, and his visible presence gives us the faith to move forward -- even to do things we aren't sure we can do. But once we take our eyes off of him and remember the trials we are in the midst of, we falter and fail despite the tangible evidence of his support.
But in that failing, we cry out to him and he is right there, pulling us back up.
Would Peter's faith have been stronger if he'd never looked away from Jesus? Knowing what we do about him, most likely he would have bragged about 'his' great feat. The reminder of his humanity gave him a wet lesson he would always remember...and probably laughed about in years to come.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Aug 1 - God Cannot Forget You
Read Isaiah 49:14-16
Context: This is from the second part of Isaiah, the Book of Comfort, talking about the restoration of Israel after the fall.
Text:
14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me,
the Lord has forgotten me."
15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.
17 Your sons hasten back,
and those who laid you waste depart from you.
18 Lift up your eyes and look around;
all your sons gather and come to you.
As surely as I live," declares the LORD,
"you will wear them all as ornaments;
you will put them on, like a bride. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you ever called a close friend or relative, only to get their answering machine? You left a message, but they never called you back. At first you got worried that something had happened, then you just got frustrated at them and wondered if they cared. Some days it seems like my prayers go directly to God's answering machine...
"press 1 for health issues, 2 for travel safety, 3 for problems with your children, 4 if you want more stuff...leave a message, someone will get back to you in 24 hours, but do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day (2 Peter 3:8). Have a blessed day."
It's easy to think that God has forgotten us and doesn't really care about our problems, but take heart in these verses...not only does he remember you, your name is carved on his hand so he can see it each time he opens his palm! He's there and he hears you, whether you sense his presence or not. So don't give up...he'll respond at the exact right time.
Context: This is from the second part of Isaiah, the Book of Comfort, talking about the restoration of Israel after the fall.
Text:
14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me,
the Lord has forgotten me."
15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.
17 Your sons hasten back,
and those who laid you waste depart from you.
18 Lift up your eyes and look around;
all your sons gather and come to you.
As surely as I live," declares the LORD,
"you will wear them all as ornaments;
you will put them on, like a bride. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you ever called a close friend or relative, only to get their answering machine? You left a message, but they never called you back. At first you got worried that something had happened, then you just got frustrated at them and wondered if they cared. Some days it seems like my prayers go directly to God's answering machine...
"press 1 for health issues, 2 for travel safety, 3 for problems with your children, 4 if you want more stuff...leave a message, someone will get back to you in 24 hours, but do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day (2 Peter 3:8). Have a blessed day."
It's easy to think that God has forgotten us and doesn't really care about our problems, but take heart in these verses...not only does he remember you, your name is carved on his hand so he can see it each time he opens his palm! He's there and he hears you, whether you sense his presence or not. So don't give up...he'll respond at the exact right time.
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