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.