Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Life Journal 12-23-2009

The Holy Spirit's Presence

(S) Scripture
John 16:7 (NIV)
7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

(O) Observation
Jesus is telling his disciples about his death and also about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will come to them as their Counselor. The Holy Spirit will guide, teach, convict and comfort them. He will also testify concerning Jesus. The Holy Spirit will be their Helper so that they might live lives that bring glory to God and honor Jesus. Jesus says it is for their good that this will happen.

(A) Application
Most of us at sometime have thought that it would have been much easier to follow Jesus if we had him physically present with us. If we lived when he was breathing on this earth we would be better followers or better Christians. But look at what Jesus said to the disciples in verse 7 - It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. Jesus says we are better off spiritually with the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives than by being in his presence. Now that is something to think about. The Holy Spirit who lives in me is the same Holy Spirit that Jesus said would come to the disciples. I have the same Spirit they had. Jesus loves and provides for me the same way he did for his disciples. Now that brings great comfort and strength to my life. During the week when we celebrate Jesus' birth I am reminded of why he was born and how I am to live for him. I am to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is hard to imagine but I am better off with the Holy Spirit. Jesus could only touch so many lives physically but the Holy Spirit lives in every believer. WOW

(P) Prayer
Lord let me walk by faith in the power of your Holy Spirit today. Let me experience His presence in my life and help me make a difference for you today. Amen

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Life Journal 12-16-2009

Live Where?

(S) Scripture
1 Peter 2:12 (NIV)
12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

(O) Observation
Peter is writing to believers that have been dispersed throughout that part of the world. Because of persecution and other factors these believers have been scattered. Peter gives them instructions on how to live and then gives the directive found in verse 12. Live in such a way that even those who oppose you will see your deeds and glorify God.

(A) Application
I am struck by how simple and direct this instruction is. In a simple phrase it tells us how and where to live. "Live such good (Godly) lives among the pagans…" I often hear Christians talk about building a "hedge of protection" around their children and that sounds noble. But that same hedge that protects them keeps them from influencing the people outside the hedge with the Gospel. We have developed a Christian sub-culture that keeps us from engaging the real culture. We now have Christian music, schools, clothes, bookstores, nightspots, and on and on I could go. We have created this to keep us from being polluted but the culture and in so doing we have lost any opportunity to engage the people we have been called to reach. Studies show that the longer you are a Christian the fewer non-Christians you associate with. It is important that as individuals we intentionally put ourselves in places where we will have contact with people who are not yet followers of Christ. That is why Rotary and Bowling are so important to me. In both I am with people I would not meet otherwise and I am with some who are far from God. The challenge is for me to live in such a way I am not seen as "holier than thou" and am approachable. I live is such a way that they see the Savior. That is my desire and today I am reminded of why I must put myself in places where I will have meaningful contact with those whose hearts are far from God.

(P) Prayer
Lord, help me to live in such a way that those around me might see you. Let me love "pagans" with your love and point them to you. Amen

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Life Journal 12-15-2009

What Did You Say?

(S) Scripture
James 1:19-20 (NIV)
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

(O) Observation
James is kind of the Proverbs of the New Testament. He uses many short pithy sayings that grab our attention and teach us how to live Godly lives. Here he says we are to be quick to listen slow to speak and slow to anger.

(A) Application
Most of us are enamored with the sound of our own voices that we talk too much. Even in a conversation instead of listening we are forming our next sentences. In this passage James instructs us to listen more and speak less. Someone said that is why God gave you two ears and one mouth, so you would listen twice as much as you speak. I find that the more I listen to someone the less likely I am to get angry. I find that listening goes beyond hearing words to seeing the person and their circumstances. This does not say there is never a time for anger but we shouldn't go there first or quickly. Today I must focus on listening more and talking less. I want people to know that I care about them and that God cares about them. That cannot happen when I talk too much or jump to anger.

(P) Prayer
Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and you hand over my mouth. Teach me to listen more and talk less. Develop in me a calm spirit that is slow to anger and quick to show love. Amen

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Life Journal 12-12-2009

Maturing

(S) Scripture
Hebrews 6:1 (NIV)
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity …

(O) Observation
In his warning against falling away the writer gives this command – Move to Maturity. It seems that the people were content to stay with the elementary things to the exclusion of the deeper things of our faith. The writer simply states that the believer should not be content staying in spiritual infancy but needs to move on to maturity.

(A) Application
The deeper things of the faith take work and commitment. It is easier to remain with the elementary things because there is not much to deal with. The elementary things seem more "black and white" and require little interpretation or judgment. As I mature I am called to make judgments and apply Biblical truth to areas the Bible does not address directly. Today I am reminded that I am called to "go on to maturity."

(P) Prayer
Lord I want to stay close to you so that I can be who you want me to be. I want to grow in my faith and mature in you. Make me conscious of when I am acting childish. Amen

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Life Journal 12-10-2009

An Encouraging Word

(S) Scripture
2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NIV)
3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

(O) Observation
In closing his letter to Timothy, Paul gives him a "head's up" on what to expect and a word of encouragement and challenge. When people will not listen or begin to believe lies of false teachers do not give up but keep on doing what God has called you to do.

(A) Application
I must admit there are days when I wonder if I am making a difference at all. This is not a pity party. In conversations with some people I hear them talk about what they believe. It is so far from what I have been preaching and teaching that I wonder who they are listening to. They have fallen prey to the "health and wealth" preachers and their perversion of the Gospel. The pace of the holiday season (both Thanksgiving and Christmas) makes you tired. I have conducted more funerals this year than in any other year in my ministry. The emotional fatigue that comes from the funerals and ministering to the families also takes a toll. I am not complaining and am honored to serve families in times of crisis. When I am tired I get cranky. That's why this is such an encouraging and challenging word for me today. I am to keep my head in every situation, I am to endure whatever, and I am to continue to do what God has called me to do. That by the way is to pastor the people of First Baptist Church, Charlotte, MI. the reading today was the "shot in the arm" that I needed.

(P) Prayer
Lord make me aware of when I am tired or angry or frustrated and help me to keep my head in all situations. Let me be an example of your grace by speaking the truth in love. Let my life make a difference in some others today. Amen

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Life Journal 12-08-2009

A Personal Directive

(S) Scripture
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)

(O) Observation
In defending his apostleship Paul in the first chapter gives this word of thanksgiving: I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV) He goes on to describe the life out of which he was called. It is with this sense of call and thanksgiving that Paul gives instructions to Timothy as he takes the leadership of the church in Ephesus. After a list of things Timothy was to do comes the exhortation in verse 16. It would seem that life practice and doctrine are linked. What you believe does impact your behavior.

(A) Application
This directive is for me, too. As one called to be a pastor I must watch how I live and what I believe. I must make sure that what I do and believe are consistent with what the Bible teaches and the standards the Bible sets. What I believe does affect how I behave. I cannot act like those who do not know Christ. I cannot give in to my sinful nature. I must persevere in the truth. That means I cannot give up or give in but I must press on in my faith walk with Jesus. Today I choose to follow Jesus. Today I want to persevere.

(P) Prayer
Lord, You know how easy it is for me to give up or give in to my sinful nature. Let me follow you so closely today that that will not be an issue. My desire is to persevere in you today. Amen

Monday, December 7, 2009

Life Journal 12-07-2009

Naming Fraud

(S) Scripture
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Paul is warning the believers to beware of those false preachers/teachers who appeal to our basic and sinful natures. Beware of those who use the power of their personality to deceive you with empty teaching.

(A) Application
It seems that everywhere I turn recently I have been getting this same warning about false teachers. From my preaching through Jude, to a study of the Holy Spirit, to an article by John MacArthur today about health and wealth preachers, I have been almost bombarded with this issue. The scripture is clear about following Jesus by walking in faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. I am to square the faith I live and teach with the scripture. I cannot fall prey to these false teachers who promise God's blessing for a monetary donation. Those who play into the self-centeredness of our culture must be warned against. It is my responsibility as pastor to sound this warning and to expose these false teachers. I must also be sure my preaching is sound and squares with God's Word. I do not want to lead people astray.

(P) Prayer
Lord let me walk close to you. Fill me with your Spirit so there is no room for selfish error. Let me preach only what is true from your Word. Help me to point people to you. Amen

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Life Journal 12-03-2009

Watch Out

(S) Scripture
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
Romans 16:17-18 (NIV)

(O) Observation
In his parting words Paul reminds the Roman believers to "watch out" for those who teach and lead contrary to what they had learned from him. Today that would be what the scripture teaches. There are those who pretend to serve God but are not. They are serving their own appetites and are good at deceiving others. These false teachers were to be avoided.

(A) Application
In addition to the obvious warning, this is a call to examine my motives in serving God. In a recent study of the book of Jude I saw the severe judgments that God will bring to false teachers and to those that follow them. Jude also tells believers how to respond to these people. There are plenty of "health and wealth" and "name it –claim it" gospel preachers proclaiming their message today. Many are smooth talkers, deceive many and are living large. I must never fall into that camp. In fact part of my role as pastor is to protect people from these ungodly teachings and teachers. It is difficult when they have the power or TV and large congregations and promise that God wants me to be healthy, wealthy and wise. The truth is that God has called us to much more than temporal things. He has called us to live in His presence, to love as he loved, to serve as he served, to suffer as he suffered and to live life in the power of the Holy Spirit as He intended it to be lived. In sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, God has called me to follow Jesus and to do so fully depending on God to supply my needs. That is where I want to live today. I want to preach and teach only what is consistent with the Scriptures. I want my life to point others to the Savior.

(P) Prayer
Lord, reveal to me any selfish motive I might harbor in serving you so I can confess it and move away from it. Use me today to speak and live your word. Amen

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Life Journal 12-02-2009

A Needed Reminder

(S) Scripture
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:33-36 (NIV)

(O) Observation
As Paul addresses the Israelites place with God he comes to this point and breaks out in this doxology of praise.

(A) Application
This has been a hectic week for me. Becky and I were in West Virginia for Thanksgiving with our families. Last Wednesday I visited my cousin Jerry Robinson in the hospital. I was so pleased to have had that time with him because he died on Friday. Jerry had suffered with MS and its complications for years. We were notified about his death on our way home on Friday. I had the honor of officiating the wedding of one of our staff on Saturday. I preached on Sunday and then headed back to WV for the funeral on Monday. I enjoyed the time with my mom and saw family I have not seen in years. Tuesday I returned home having driven nearly 2000 miles in the week. That is not a lot for some of my trucker friends but it is more than I usually drive. On the way home my wife called to tell me a dear lady in our church had died. She had been taken to the Hospice House while I was away. I went directly there when I got to Charlotte. I am also working with some other tough situations with families and individuals in crisis. Sometimes it is easy to only see the problems and issues and fail to focus on the One who is the Light. Sometimes I am prone to look to my own strengths and skills and training and neglect the One Who can make a difference. Last night I felt somewhat oppressed at all I have to do. This morning the Lord reminded me again of His majesty, glory, power and authority. I have been renewed just from reading His word and receiving a needed reminder of just who really is in charge and just Who can really make a difference.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I want to keep my eyes and focus on you. I know that you can handle any situation that comes my way. Give me your wisdom as I trust you and as I work through all I have to do today. Amen