Life Journal 11-30-2008

My Obligation

(S) Scripture
I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
Romans 1:14 (NASB77)

(O) Observation
Paul revealed his calling as an obligation to those who were not like him, Greeks and Barbarians and also to the wise and foolish. It is easy to share with those like us or with the wise but difficult to those unlike us and foolish.

(A) Application
It is easy for me to forget that my calling is also like Paul's, to those unlike me and to both the wise and foolish. Who are the Greeks and Barbarians for me. There are people here in Charlotte that I have very little in common with, some are rich or poor, others are crude or sophicated, some educated or uneducated. I am called to all these. I am obligated to all these people because of what Jesus has done in my life. I operate better in some of these circles than I do in others but I must share in all of them. I think of some of my bowling friends – I am obligated to them. That is why I bowl. I must intentionally put myself in places where I can be with those who do not yet follow Christ. I am obligated. Today I want to be more intentional in meeting those to whom I am obligated for the sake of Christ.

(P) Prayer
Lord, I thank you for the work you have done in my life and for the forgiveness I have received. Let me now share that with others. Help me to recognize the opportunities you bring to my life. Amen

Life Journal 11-28-2008

First Orders

(S) Scripture
He is not here, he has risen just as he said. Come see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples… Matthew 28:6-7

(O) Observation
The first thing the angel told the women to do after they saw that Jesus had risen from the dead was to go quickly and tell. They were not to delay or wait until they understood, they were to go and tell what they had seen and experienced.

(A) Application
Those are still the first orders any believer receives. Once we experience the risen Christ in our lives we are to go and tell someone. We are not to delay or wait until we understand everything – we are to tell others what we have seen and experienced. I am afraid that too often those of us who have been Christians for a long time have lost that great sense of God's grace and forgiveness and therefore have lost our motivation to share. We need a fresh sense of God's love and forgiveness every day in order to have something to tell others about. That is why this daily devotion is so important because it keeps me mindful of what the Lord has done for me and wants to do for others. If I am being made different each day because of what I have read in the Word then I have something fresh to share. Today I will look for opportunities to share Jesus with someone and I will continue this daily time with God so I will always have something to share.

(P) Payer

Lord, keep my experience with you fresh. Prod me when I am getting stale. Help me to recognize the opportunities to share my faith you put in my life each day. Amen

Life Journal – 11-27-2008

The Foundation of Thanksgiving

(S) Scripture
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. Matthew 27:50 (NIV)

(O) Observation
the reading today is about the last couple of days in Jesus life here on earth. He willingly gave his life to pay for my sins. This is the foundation of thanksgiving.

(A) Application
I can think of no better or more appropriate scripture to read for today than the passages about the Crucifixion. The price for my sin was death and Jesus paid that for me. I do not understand it but I can experience it. Today as I celebrate Thanksgiving with my family I will be thankful for what Jesus did for me so many years ago. Another exciting aspect of our gathering is that every person here is a follower of Jesus.

(P) Prayer
Lord, thank you for dying for my sins. Thank you for allowing me to celebrate this day with my family. Thank you for your love and sacrifice for us. Amen

Life Journal – 11-25-2008

Known By His Enemies

(S) Scripture
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.
They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.
Matthew 22:15-16 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Even Jesus' enemies recognized his character. He was known by his integrity, teaching truth, and not being swayed by people. These were characteristics his enemies lacked. They tried to use them to trap him but he was much too wise.

(A) Application
I must live my life in such a way that my enemies would recognize my integrity. It is important to speak the truth regardless of what others think even the influential. Personal integrity takes a lifetime to build and can be lost in a moment. Today I want to be known as a man of integrity who teaches the truth and is not swayed from the truth by what others might think or say. Today with God's help I will display integrity in all that I do.

(P) Prayer
Lord give me the courage to live a life of integrity. Let your character be seen in me. Let my life be transparent and point others to you. Amen

Life Journal – 11-24-2008

Thick-headed

(S) Scripture
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18:5-6 (NIV)

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
Matthew 19:13 (NIV)

(O) Observation
Jesus has just told the disciples how important children are to him. They represent how we are to trust God – with childlike faith not childish but childlike. Shortly after that the disciples rebuke the people for bringing their children to Jesus so he could bless them. How quickly they forgot what Jesus said to them. Jesus asks for the children and blesses them and I think implied is that the disciples were rebuked by Jesus.

(A) Application
I wonder how many times I am like the disciples. I hear and understand clearly a teaching of Jesus and shortly after act in just the opposite way. It is as if I had never heard or understood. I suppose my sin nature has a great deal to do with this. I know my selfish side wants what I want and is not really concerned with other's needs. Here I stand "thick-headed" like the disciples. I want to think that I am smarter than that but too often I am just like the disciples. I am so glad that Jesus corrected their behavior and let them continue to follow him. I too can be corrected, forgiven, cleansed and then continue to follow. Today I will work at not being so thick-headed and will seek to obey what I understand Jesus is asking me to do.

(P) Prayer
Lord, You know how thick-headed and stubborn I can be. I ask that you make me aware when I am ignoring what you have asked of me and that you would forgive me and allow me to continue to follow you. I want most to be faithful to you but I need Your strength and guidance for that to happen in my life. Thank you for your patience, love and forgiveness. Amen

Life Journal 11-23-2008

A Solitary Place

(S) Scripture
When Jesus heard what had happened he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
Matthew 14:13 (NIV)

(O) Observation
When Jesus go the news of the death of John the Baptist he went to a private place. On hearing about the death of a friend, Jesus needed to be alone with His Father so he went to a solitary place. The crowds would not leave him alone and followed by foot to where he went. Jesus went by boat and at least for that time he was alone.

(A) Application
So often when we hear bad news we immediately seek our friends to be with. Jesus went first to His Father and so should we. Friends are necessary but there are times when we need to be alone with God. Howard Hendricks, a professor at Dallas Seminary, said, "You can never do enough for people if you are always surrounded by people." Jesus knew that if he was going to be able to help the crowd he first needed to be alone with His Father. That is why this quiet time is so important for me. It is my time with God that is not disturbed or interrupted by people. As God recharges my spirit I can then help others. I have missed this time with God the last couple of days. Today I renew my commitment to this time each day. I know I cannot adequately minister to people if I have not had this time with my Father.

(P) Prayer
Father, thank you for the reminder from the life of Jesus about the need for solitude. I commit to this time with you again today. Give me strength to follow through and teach me what I need to know to more fully follow You. Amen

40 Days of Love – Day 40

The Relationship Principles of Jesus

This has been a great emphasis for me and for the church. In the middle of tough economic times here in Michigan it would be easy for us to turn our attention to ourselves and to huddle-up. This emphasis of Love has caused us to move our attention off ourselves and onto others. It helps us keep our outward focus. If that were all this study did I would be grateful. But it did much more. In my own life it has caused me to slow down and listen to the people around me; not to be so consumed with my own agenda to ignore or pass off the people around me. My life has been so enriched by the depth of conversations I have had during these 40 days. I look forward to continuing the behaviors I have learned.

At our Men's Prayer Breakfast this morning the comment was made, about this study, "If we would just practice the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31) we could almost throw away our Bibles." Not quite but we would certainly be acting more like Jesus than we normally do. He was not advocating abandoning Scripture but I think you get the point of what he was saying.

On a lighter note in Staff meeting this week the comment was made, "I am looking forward to Celebration Sunday and the conclusion of these 40 Days of Love because I have a couple of people I want to talk to and on Monday I can do it like I want to." This was in jest and we all know how this emphasis on loving others the way Jesus loves us really has changed the way we talk to each other even in difficult times of conflict.

What a joy it has been. One person said, "I hate to see this study end." So do I so let's just keep loving like Jesus loves us. Our community will be better, our church will be better, our families will be better and we will be better for it.

What are your thoughts?