New Testament Listening Day 1

(S) Scripture
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

(O) Observation
At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount we find what has been called "the Beatitudes". These are attitudes and behaviors that result in God's blessing.

Application
This particular one, on mourning, continues to challenge my life. D. Martyn Lloyd Jones in his Studies in the Sermon on the Mount says this means that we should allow what breaks God' s heart to break our heart. I am afraid that I am calloused and I do not see or maybe I ignore the needs in the people God brings across my path. This is not something that pleases God. How can I touch people with the gorace of God if I am calloused or simply ignore their needs? Today I want to see people as God sees them and then to act toward them the way God would have me to act.

(P) Prayer
Lord let me see with your eyes and act with your heart today. Amen

Life Journal 09-02-2009

The Gospel is for Everyone

(S) Scripture
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
Revelation 7:9 (NIV)

(O) Observation
In John's vision he first sees the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel then he sees people "from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb." God's plan included faithful people regardless of their heritage.

(A) Application
The Good News of Jesus has always been for everyone. It was never the exclusive right of the Jews but has always been for faithful people everywhere. We did not somehow sneak in under the fence but rather have always been invited through the front door. The invitation has always been to everyone who would respond in faith. It is still that way. We would never say the Gospel is not for everyone but the way we live and share the Gospel reveals what we really believe. I am sure there will be people in heaven that I will be surprised to see and some will be surprised to see me. I must open my eyes to see people as God sees them. Each one in need of a Savior and each one loved by God. Why am I so reluctant to share God's love with people when he has lavished his love on me? I think I need to focus on this vision of John a little more intently. Every nation, tribe, people and language – now that is the God I serve and want to serve more fully.

(P) Prayer
Father let me see people the way you see them. Open my mouth and let me share the Good News of Jesus with them. Amen

Life Journal 09-01-2009

A Warning

(S) Scripture
You are a true daughter of your mother, who despised her husband and her children; and you are a true sister of your sisters, who despised their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite and your father an Amorite.
Your older sister was Samaria, who lived to the north of you with her daughters; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you with her daughters, was Sodom.
You not only walked in their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon became more depraved than they.
As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did what you and your daughters have done.
"'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.
They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.
Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done.
Ezekiel 16:45-51 (NIV)

(O) Observation
In describing an unfaithful Jerusalem the prophet has given us a warning that needs to be heeded. In this allegory the Lord has described how he took Jerusalem from nothing and made her great and then how she abused this greatness by prostituting herself with other nations. The prophet then compares Jerusalem to others she despised and said that Jerusalem was worse than the other two. Judgment would come but God would also keep his covenant. The judgment would be harsh but there was a note of redemption in that the covenant would be kept.

(A) Application
In the American church we have become lax and soft on sin. In many places we have so watered down the gospel that it does not come close to being what Jesus taught. We have emphasized the love of God to the point that we have removed his wrath. This passage reminds me that the wrath of God is still a reality and we ignore it at our peril. Have we become like Sodom, "arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me." I am afraid that this is more true than we want to think. When our commitment to follow Jesus is simply one of many commitments in our lives we are on this road. How often do I think I am better than someone else because I am a Christian or I see a person in need and do nothing about it because they don't deserve any better? I wonder if I prostitute my time with things that dishonor God. Today's reading was a sobering reading because it again reminded me that God's wrath is still a reality and people are going to be on the receiving end of it apart from knowing Jesus and following Him.

(P) Prayer
Lord, order my steps so that I walk in your ways and not my own. Grant me the strength to be faithful and true to you and your word today. Let me share what I know with others so that they might not be consumed by your wrath. Amen