Life Journal – 12-08-2008

The Benefit of Godliness

(S) Scripture
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
In his instruction to Timothy, Paul tells him to discipline himself for godliness. It is this spiritual discipline that is beneficial for all things because it holds the promise of god for the temporal and the eternal. Godliness benefits us in this life and also with our eternal life with the Lord. It is a discipline which means that it must be learned and practiced and is not natural. We must work each day at godliness – it does not just happen.

(A) Application
I wish these verses let me off the hook for being physically fit but they do not. That is still a struggle and needs to be a discipline because it will not just happen. These verses do though put the physical in its proper position behind being godly. Discipline for godliness is a strong command. It must do the things (exercise, if you will) those habits that produce godly behaviors. This devotion is one of the core elements of that discipline. Prayer and Bible study and sharing my faith are other elements. I must work at offering grace and mercy and forgiveness to the people I come in contact with each day. Some are not so lovely and others seem arrogant and aloof. I must continue to love them like Jesus loves me and that isn't easy at times. Today I will focus on these spiritual disciplines and also get back into a routine of going to the wellness center to work on my fitness.

(P) Prayer
Lord, you know how I struggle with the physical exercise thing. Help me to do what I need to do. I need your strength each day. Help me to develop the spiritual disciplines that will lead to godliness. Amen

Life Journal – 12-07-2008

A New Challenge

(S) Scripture
Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, Colossians 1:25 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul is encouraging the Colossian believers and then gives an interesting commentary on his own call. His call was for their benefit and it was carried out in his preaching of the word of God.

(A) Application
I do not recall considering my call in terms of the benefit it is to the church. I know that each of us is to live out our calls in ways that benefit our sisters and brothers but I had never thought of it the way Paul states it here. My call is for the benefit of the people here at FBC. I know that preaching is important and I work at it. This though is a sobering thought. My calling is to benefit the church not just myself. My call is not just personal but it has a public component. Today I will seek to live up to the high nature of this call in my life.

(P) Prayer
Father, there is no way I can live this out without your help, strength and guidance. I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that my life will make a difference for you. Use me to benefit the church here in Charlotte. Thank you for your grace and calling in my life. Amen

Life Journal – 12-06-2008

Be Anxious for Nothing

(S) Scripture
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB77)

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers.
If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (TLB)

(O) Observation
This is a passage on practical living. Paul gives a number of practical directives for us to implement into our lives. Rejoice, Be patient, Don't worry, Pray, Be thankful, Trust God's Peace, and let your mind dwell on all that is good from God. Do this and you will experience God's Peace. His peace will stand guard over your heart.

(A) Application
The verses I chose deal with worry and it's solution. I cited both the NASB and the Living Bible because the Living Bible is so vivid in its rendering of what Paul is saying. It is interesting to me that this is the passage for tomorrow's message on "Laying Down Worry and Embracing God's Peace." Peace is what the angel promised and it seems in short supply in our lives and world. Worry on the other hand seems to be rampant and it robs us of God's peace. Why are we so prone to worry? Because we trust God so little. We don't really believe that God is able to handle our circumstances or maybe we are simply afraid that he will not answer the way we want him to.

If I want to experience the peace of God I must trust the God of Peace. Worry accomplishes nothing good, changes nothing and robs us of God's peace. Today I choose to trust God. I will pray about everything (That leaves out nothing) with thanksgiving (my thankfulness shows I trust God even if I don't understand things). It is then that God's peace (that goes beyond my ability to comprehend) will seize my heart and guard it from all attacks. That is the way I want to live especially at this time of the year when we are celebrating Jesus' birth.

(P) Prayer
Father, today I trust you and thank you for all you have done and are doing in my life. Give me the strength to trust you when I don't understand things. I need your peace to guard my heart. Let me experience the Angel's promise of peace that was delivered on that first Christmas. Amen

Life Journal – 12-04-2008

Watch Your Mouth

(S) Scripture
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul has given a long list of things involved in the Christian's walk with God. In this list he addresses our speech. He is quite clear and leaves nothing to be misunderstood. The word "unwholesome" means "rotten". As Christians we are to build up and edify not tear down and destroy. We are to give grace not kill it in others.

(A) Application
In every situation and circumstance I am to use words that edify. That speaks to my sarcastic humor and kidding around where "put-downs" are the norm are not permitted. I am called to build up not tear down. I heard a teacher say that, "behind every sarcasm is a note of truth." I don't want to believe that because it means that my joking around really did and does hurt people. It is not just in sarcasm though. There are the harsh and mean words we speak in anger and frustration. There are the rumors we pass based on something less than the truth. In the past election I received many emails about Obama that were not based in truth and yet they were passed along by well meaning people who had not checked to truth of the allegations. Have you seen the look on a child's face when they are put down by an adult? Our words are mighty weapons that can wound deeply. The old saying about "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me" simply isn't true.

As a follower of Jesus I am called to build up and encourage and life and inspire people with my words. This is something that I try to practice and yet I still find myself falling short too often. Today I will again focus my attention on lifting up rather than putting down people. I know that it is only with God's power that this can happen in me.

(P) Prayer
Lord, help me to watch what I say so that it is positive and wholesome. When I get negative make me so aware that I will again turn to you and confess my sin and begin again lifting people up. Amen

Life Journal – 12-03-2008

(S) Scripture
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
Romans 13:1-2 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul certainly did not live in a time of godly rulers and yet his teaching was that these rulers are established by God and deserve our respect and obedience. It is hard to imagine that Paul taught this but he did and it is God's Word for the believers in Rome and also for us.

(A) Application
This is a particularly difficult passage for me especially when we have just elected a president that holds many positions that are immoral to me. Abortion and Homosexual marriage are two that make it hard for me to trust his judgment in other areas. I have a different worldview and it makes it difficult to follow. And yet here the scriptures tell me that God has established this ruler and that I am to submit to his authority. I know that the best thing I can do is to pray for the president-elect. I must earnestly pray for him and the judgments he makes. I am bound to actively influence decisions where I can. I am committed to living out my faith empowered by the Holy Spirit even in the face of opposition from the government. I do not believe God asks us to compromise the truth or to remain silent in the face of evil. In Acts 4 Peter and John are faced with being told to obey the government rather than God. Look at their response:

But when they had ordered them to go aside out of the Council, they began to confer with one another, saying, "What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. "But in order that it may not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any man in this name." And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;
for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:15-20 (NASB77)

Today I have been challenged not to complain or whine about the president-elect but rather to pray for him and his administration. I will also continue to speak the truth of scripture as I understand it and I will not cower in fear in the face of opposition. I will live faithfully to the lord and thank God I live in America where I am politically free to challenge the government when I think it is wrong and yet subject to its laws. This is a fine line to walk and yet God has called believers to walk it and so I will.

(P) Prayer
Lord Jesus, without your help and guidance this is impossible. Show me how to navigate these waters in a way that honors you and is faithful to your word. Amen

Life Journal 12-02-2008

Who Is The Potter

(S) Scripture
On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it?
Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use?
Romans 9:20-21 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul addresses the arrogance of mankind. Just who are we to question God or tell him what he should do? Paul uses a simple illustration of a potter to show our relationship. He is the potter and we are the clay. It is he who makes us and decides what our purpose will be.

(A) Application
God is the potter and I am not! How arrogant is it for me to tell God what he should dop and how I should be made and fro what purpose. I suppose we all, in our selfishness, want to be made for the "honorable use" but what then happens to those who need a common touch. Being molded is not an easy task especially when I want to be something different than what the Potter has in mind. Too often I resist his hands and the changes he is making in me and as a result I miss out on all he has in store for me. I would be wise to let God mold me anyway he chooses and be what he created me to be. When I feel like a "square peg in a round hole" I know that I have again tried to change what God has made me to be. Today I want nothing more than to be who God has called and fashioned me to be. Today I will let his hands mold me and I will not complain.

(P) Prayer
Father, it is not easy being on the wheel and not knowing the outcome of your handiwork and design. Give me the grace to live out the calling you placed in my life. Let me fulfill my purpose today. Amen

Life Journal – 12-01-2008

The Difference a Phrase Makes

(S) Scripture
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 (NASB77)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 (KJV)

(O) Observation
The translators of the KJV included the phrase, "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit," that because of more and better manuscript evidence was not included in the NASB. That phrase is huge and changes the meaning. There is no condemnation for the Christian, period. There is no qualifying phrase that follows, no parenthetic phrase, no catch phrase. I do not know if a scribe copying this letter simply could not believe what he read and so inserted this phrase or whether it was part of an early church father's preaching notes but what I do know is that it is not part of the best of the New Testament manuscripts. My relationship with God is not dependent on my performance it is dependent on God and his word. This does not mean that I am free to live in sin. Paul says "May it never be!" My relationship with God is always in his hands and secure in his character. I am to live as his child free from the burden and slavery to sin and alive to new life that is empowered by the Holy Spirit.

(A) Application
What a freeing statement. I do not need to be looking over my shoulder wondering what God is going to do to me. I do not need to wonder about whether I am in or out of heaven. God does not condemn his children. He continues to discipline us when we are wrong or on a wayward path much like we do our own children but that is out of love for us. I need God's discipline in order to become the person he wants me to be. His condemnation would crush my spirit and render me useless in his kingdom. To know that he does not condemn me allows me to live fully trusting him. Many of us have experienced that "long pointing finger" and the frown and words of condemnation and know what it does to us. This is the Good News. God does not act like that. He loves us and wants the best for us. Now that is a life worth living. Today I will again rejoice in what it means to be God's child. I will thank him for his love and care and strength and power and discipline in my life. Today I will live free for Jesus.

(P) Prayer
Father I do not understand your ways at times. How could you not condemn me when I sin so often? Yet, you do not. You forgive and cleanse and empower me to be the person you called me to be. Let me live that way today and be a witness to you love and grace. Thank you for your word that encourages us to live for you. Amen