Life Journal 11-23-2009

Am I Too Much Like The Disciples?

(S) Scripture
Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
"Bring them here to me," he said.
Matthew 14:16-18 (NIV)

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
Matthew 15:32-34 (NIV)

(O) Observation
On two occasions a short time apart Jesus tells the disciples to feed the crowds that have gathered. Both times they ask Jesus just how they are supposed to do that with the limited resources they have. In both cases Jesus takes what they have and it is multiplied as they give it to the people. Everyone eats their fill and there is plenty left over. You would think that the disciples would have remembered what Jesus did in the first occasion but evidently they did not.

(A) Application
You would think that after seeing what Jesus did on the first occasion that when a similar situation arose they would have know what to do. Again they show the immaturity of their faith or maybe their forgetfulness by asking again just how they are to accomplish the task with limited resources. I wonder how many times I have seen Jesus act and then in a similar situation wonder what I should do or what Jesus will do. Sometimes I accuse the disciples of being slow in their understanding of who Jesus is and what he can do but then I find myself in the same shoes. Why am I so slow to learn and trust? Today I simply want to trust Jesus and do what He says and to allow him to us the resources I have and not worry about what I do not have.

(P) Prayer
Lord help me to trust in you and not worry or fret over the resources I have. The only resource I really need is You. Amen

Life Journal 11-22-2009

What's Really Important to Me

(S) Scripture
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and does not hold back his criticism. In this Jesus give us a piece of wisdom that can be a corrective in our lives too.

(A) Application
What overflows our heart spills out of our mouths. What is first on my heart is first in my speech. When I listen to what I talk most about I will know what fills my heart. That can be a sobering and convicting exercise. Often we talk about our heart being filled with the Lord but our speech reveals something different. I do not think this means that every word we speak will reference God but I do think that our faith will be evident in every conversation. This is one of those things Jesus said that work me over the most. I listen to my speech and am convicted. Today I renew my commitment to havng my heart full of the things of God leaving no room for the evil that wants to fill my heart.

(P) Prayer
Lord let me be so full of you that there is no room for evil. Let me live my life filled with the Holy Spirit and doing your will. Amen

Life Journal 11-19-2009

The Call to Follow

(S) Scripture
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

(O) Observation
As Jesus begins his earthly ministry he seeks out disciples to follow him. The text does not indicate how much Peter and Andrew knew about Jesus. But when he called them they immediately followed. They left their father and the fishing business they were in. Jesus promised to make them into "fishers of men".

(A) Application
It was at the West Virginia Baptist Camp at Cowen that I first sensed God's call in my life. I was 15. I did not have to leave my parents or a job, I just needed to follow the Lord's leading in my life. For years before and sense I have heard people talk about "surrendering to the call" to full time ministry. It is as if a call to "full time" ministry is more important or significant than God's call to other vocations. The "call" as I understand it in this passage is a call to follow and to be made into the person God designed you to be. He makes us and shapes us into who he wants us to be. All his crafting in us is designed for ministry, no one is exempt. We are all called to full time ministry we just have different jobs that fund our ministries. We are each to follow the call in our lives. Mine was a call to pastoral ministries, significant to me but no more significant than God's call is in your life. Different maybe but no more significant. Today I will follow God's call in my life.

(P) Prayer
Lord help me to follow you. Make me into the person you want me to be. Use me today. Amen

Life Journal 11-18-2009

What is My Motivation for Ministry

(S) Scripture
Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?
2 Corinthians 12:14-15 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Paul has been defending his ministry with the Corinthian church. He has visited with them twice and is anticipating coming a third time. While in Corinth Paul did not take financial support from the people, thus he was not a burden to them. Some must have been accusing him of only being after their possessions and not really caring about them. Paul says he wants them not their possessions and rather than taking he will spend what he has and even expend himself. He will give all he has for their benefit.

(A) Application
There are plenty of examples of preachers and ministries that have fleeced people and bilked millions of dollars away from legitimate ministries into their own pockets. These charlatans have tainted all legitimate ministries. It is no wonder that people are skeptical and think that churches and preachers only want their money. My motivation must reflect what Paul wrote here. I must want people more than things and I must be willing to spend all I have and expend all of my energy in ministry to the people God has called me to serve. If this makes me weak then with Paul I will boast in my weakness because it is there that God's strength is made known.
As Senior Pastor part of my responsibility is to monitor the financial condition of the church. That can sometimes focus my attention on dollars rather than on people. Here again I am reminded by the psalmist that God "owns the cattle on a thousand hills," (Psalm 50:10) and I am worried about hamburger. Today I will invest myself in the lives of the people God has called me to serve and reach.

(P) Prayer
Lord, keep my focus where it should be. Thank you for meeting my every need. Let me invest myself in people today so that they too might come to know you and follow you. Amen

Life Journal 11-15-2009

God's Promises

(S) Scripture
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church and in an encouraging word reminds the people that the promises of God are "yes" in Christ. Our faith is a positive faith in Christ.

(A) Application
I can count on God keeping his promises because he cannot lie and the promises are "yes" in Christ. I know so many Christians that are sour and negative and always against something. I don't like being around them and am sure that those who are not yet followers of Jesus don't want to either. God does so much in my life. My life has been changed, I have passed from death to life and from darkness into His glorious light. How can I be negative and sour? This is not a promise of "health and wealth" or a "name it claim it" stance. It simply is a stance that says, God will keep his promises and they are fulfilled in Christ. I cannot be negative when God is positive.

(P) Prayer
Lord, remind me of your promises when I get sour and negative. Let me be as positive in my faith as you are in your promises in Christ. Amen

Life Journal 11-12-2009

Our Majestic God

(S) Scripture
Job 38:1-41

(O) Observation
The Lord speaks to Job. In this the Lord describes His work and creation. He does so in a way that reminds Job that the Lord is God and Job is not.

(A) Application
As I read this passage I was simply caught up in the majesty of God. He created all that is and controls all that is. His creation and works are beyond our understanding or comprehension. These set Him apart and show us His glory and majesty. In the message for Sunday Jude tells the believers to "remember what the apostles foretold". It is good for us to remember. This passage in Job allowed me to simply pause, remember and reflect on how majestic the God I serve really is. What a great way to begin the day.

(P) Prayer
Lord, let me dwell on your majesty. I am grateful that you the majestic God chose to love me. Today I want to live in such a way that others may see and be drawn to your majesty. Amen

Life Journal 11-11-2009

Pride

(S) Scripture
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Paul is using some illustrations from the Old Testament to warn the people about pride. He tells the Corinthians that these things happened as examples for them. He then gives this warning about pride, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!"

(A) Application
My grandfather used to say, "If you ride a high saddle you have a long way to fall." It was his warning about the dangers of pride. He was not and the scripture is not talking about a pride that drives me to excellence but rather one that puts my nose in the air as better than others. It is the "snooty" pride that leads to a fall. I must admit that I have taken some sinful delight, for which I have confessed, in the fall of some high and mighty politicians in the past. Those who have set themselves up as better and higher and "the laws don't apply to me", when exposed the crash is great. I know pastors who call themselves "God's anointed" and dare anyone to challenge their authority or instructions. Many times this authoritarian rule is used to cover their personal sin and immoral behavior. The illustrations are many from both politics and the religious world. In my life I must never let pride separate me from the people I am called to serve. The only place where I can boast is in the cross of Christ.

(P) Prayer
Lord, make me aware of areas of pride that hinder your work in and through me. Let me be so consumed with you that pride has no chance to grow in me. Amen

P.S. Today is Veterans Day. When you see a veteran or current military person today – say thanks. They stand in harm's way so that we can live and worship in freedom.

Life Journal 11-10-2009

A Fond and Funny Memory

(S) Scripture
Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.
But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.

But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
1 Corinthians 7:1-2;9 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Paul is giving instructions on marriage to the Corinthian church. He gives instructions to the married and unmarried.

(A) Application
Becky and I were married on April 8, 1978, in the Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Scott Depot, WV. The pastor of our church in Kentucky and Becky's home pastor shared the service. There were a number of humorous things that happened at the ceremony that day. I chose these verses because they are the verses that Becky's home pastor chose to read as he began our wedding service. It was hard to keep a straight face when he read these verses. Here I am on my wedding day and the preacher is saying it is better not to marry but it is better to marry than to burn with passion. We have laughed about that over the years. I am sure there have been times when Becky wonders why she didn't take the preacher's advice. God has blessed us with two incredible daughters. Both are now out of the house and off the payroll. Both are active in their faith and churches. Bethany is a Physician's Assistant working with an Orthopedic Surgeon in Charleston, WV. Sarah is married, she and husband Ryan have custody of a five year old little girl and hope to finalize the adoption soon. Sarah and Ryan are both Deputy Sheriffs in Bossier Parrish, Louisiana. Becky and I continue to enjoy married life, nearly 32 years now. As I read the scripture this morning it brought back a fond and funny memory for which I thank God.

(P) Prayer
Lord, thank you for bringing Becky to me and for the life we have together. Thank you for our girls and their families. Thank you for fond and funny memories that I can share with others. Amen

Life Journal 11-09-2009

Talk vs. Power

(S) Scripture
But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
1 Corinthians 4:19-21 (NIV)

(O) Observation
In dealing with this troubled church Paul assesses part of the problem. There are arrogant people, those pushing their own agenda. They use words to persuade but there is no power in those words to change a life. It is not enough to talk a good game you must live it with power. The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. It must be more than talk.

(A) Application
The church seems to be full of folks who talk a good game. These people want to influence the direction of the church and yet their hearts are only filled with cheap talk rather than the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul wanted to assess the real power of people and we should do the same. Living out our faith must be more than lip service. We cannot talk one way and live another. For our talk to be filled with power it must come from a life that is surrendered and committed to God. We must be walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be satisfied with simply talking a good game because that leaves our lives empty and powerless.

(P) Prayer
Lord, fill me with your Spirit today. Let my walk with you be filled with power. Let my talk match my walk today, keep me from hypocrisy. Amen

Life Journal 11-06-2009

Foolish Faith

(S) Scripture
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Galatians 3:1-3

(O) Observation
The believers have been deceived into thinking that they grow as a Christian by keeping the law. Paul writes to combat this false teaching. If you receive Christ by faith why do you think that maturity comes by returning to the Law? Maturity, growth and freedom come from following the Holy Spirit, who lives in you.

(A) Application
I hear so many Christians talk about rules they need to keep. The emphasis is on law keeping not on following the Spirit. It seems many Christians are afraid of the Holy Spirit because they do not understand or are adverse to giving control of their lives away. I am so thankful for the teaching I received as a young follower of Jesus concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life. The Holy Spirit is God's presence in my life and is there to guide, convict and comfort me. I do not need fear him because he is God. When I give control of my life to the Holy Spirit I am in fellowship with God. That fellowship cannot be achieved by keeping the law, it comes only by faith. Today I will walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to enjoy fellowship with God today.

(P) Prayer
Lord, fill me with your Spirit today and let me enjoy fellowship with you. Amen

Life Journal 11-05-2009

What a Testimony

(S) Scripture
And they praised God because of me.
Galatians 1:24 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Paul make this simple but profound comment in sharing about his ministry and travels for the sake of the gospel. The churches in Judea had not yet met Paul but had heard his story. They praised God because of what they had heard about Paul. His changed life caused them to praise God.

(A) Application
I want the Lord to work in my life in such a way that when people hear about it they praise God. I want to live in such a way that it causes people to praise God. I want my life to point people to Jesus. I can think of no greater testimony that others could give about my life than, "they praised God because of me."

(P) Prayer
Lord, do your work in me, knock off the rough edges and help me to live for you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and let me point others to you today. I pray that my life will cause others to praise you. Amen

 

Life Journal 11-04-2009

Resolute

(S) Scripture
And Job continued his discourse:
"As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me taste bitterness of soul,
as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils,
my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit.
I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity.
I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.
Job 27:1-6 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Job's friends have accused him of unrighteousness. His wife has told him to "curse God and die". His friends are trying to give an explanation for his suffering and his wife wants an end to his suffering. Job refuses both. Job knows his heart and is confident in his God. In this passage he is answering his friends. He declares in no uncertain terms that he will continue to live a righteous life. He will not give in to the temptation to be bitter. He will not compromise his integrity. He is resolute in living a righteous and upright life before God.

(A) Application
I am impressed with the resolve in these verses. Job would not even entertain any other way of living. When those closest to him call into question his actions, he remains resolute. He will not defile his spirit and will not accept the accusations of his friends as being true. He knows his heart and actions are faithful and he will not turn from that. When my friends question my actions and motives I want to be as resolute as Job. I want to have lived in such a way that I can honestly be that resolute. Job was not being stubborn in a negative sense when he refused to take the counsel of his friends but rather he demonstrated the depth of his walk with God. I want to live that way so that when my life is challenges I can be as resolute as Job.

(P) Prayer
Father, my life is yours. Fill me with the Holy Spirit today and let me live for you. I want to walk so close to you that when questions come I can be as resolute in my faith and walk with you as Job was. Use me today. Amen

Life Journal 11-03-2009

The Deity of Jesus

(S) Scripture
But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"
"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked.
"You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.
Mark 14:61-64 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Jesus stands silent before the High Priest being falsely accused by person after person. Jesus refuses to answer or respond to any of the charges. The High Priest takes things into his own hand and asks Jesus, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus answers this with, "I am." The High Priest knows that Jesus has just claimed to be God. There is no mistaking what Jesus said or claimed. He then condemns Jesus to die.

(A) Application
Many will argue that Jesus never claimed to be God but that it was something others claimed for him. Not true. In an attempt to make Jesus just a man like all other religious leaders some deny his claim to being God. Jesus was not just a good man or a great moral teacher. He claimed to be God. C.S. Lewis makes this argument in Mere Christianity, "A man who was merely a man and said the kind of things Jesus said wouldn't have been a Great Moral Teacher, He is either a lunatic on the level of on who says he is a poached egg, or the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this person is the Son of God or a mad man or something worse. You can shut him up as a demon or fall at His feet and call him God, but don't come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a Great Moral Teacher. He hasn't left that alternative open to us."

There is no mistaking what Jesus said or meant. The people understood it then and we know it today. Therefore we must deal with the claims Jesus makes on our lives. It was 53 years ago when I gave my life to Christ and followed Him by faith. Today I affirm again my faith and trust in His death and resurrection. I thank Him for forgiving my sin and guaranteeing my life with Him eternally. I know He is God because He said so and has proved so in changing my life.

(P) Prayer
Father, thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to pay the price for my sin so that I might have fellowship with you. Today I affirm again my trust and dependence on Jesus. Let me share tthat good news with others. Amen

 

Life Journal 11-02-2009

The Simplicity of Following Jesus

(S) Scripture
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
Mark 12:28-31 (NIV)

(O) Observation
The Jewish leaders have been trying to catch Jesus in something they can arrest him for. He simply outsmarts them at every turn. The leaders are afraid of a public revolt if they arrest Jesus without cause because the people are thrilled with Jesus' teaching. In response to a question Jesus gives the foundation for faith. God is one not many and we are to love God with all that we are and then love others as ourselves. Simple and straightforward. There was no mistaking the message here. This was not a hidden truth in a parable but was a simple understandable answer.

(A) Application
The Pharisees and teachers of the law had concocted so many rules for the "righteous" to live by that it was nearly impossible. They were filled with spiritual pride because they were better at keeping their rules than others. Too often we resemble these rule makers. We make following Jesus about rules rather than about loving him. Jesus strikes at the heart of such oppressive legalism. Our faith is simple and easy to understand. Love God with all we are and Others as ourselves. How simple is that. Easy to understand and tough to do. Today I need to return to the simplicity of following Jesus. Simple but not simplistic. How free would we be in our lives if we practiced this and this alone. Today I renew my commitment to Love God with all that I am and to love others as I love myself.

(P) Prayer
Lord, help me to keep my focus on loving you and then loving others will fall into place. Let em do what you command. Amen