SCRIPTURE
On that day, when evening had come, He told them, "Let's cross over to the other side of the lake." So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him. A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, "Teacher! Don't you care that we're going to die?" He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Silence! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then He said to them, "Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?" And they were terrified and asked one another, "Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!" (Mark 4:35-41)
OBSERVATION
This is one of the places to use algebra (Who said you would never use it in real life?) to get a better understanding of Jesus. In Psalm 89:8-9 we read, "Lord of Hosts, who is strong like You, Lord? Your faithfulness surrounds You. You rule the raging sea; when its waves surge, You still them."
In Psalms, God stills the seas. (If a=b)
In Mark, Jesus stills the seas. (and b=c)
Therefore, Jesus is God. (then a=c)
Who then is this man? Mark didn't want his readers to miss the point: Jesus is God.
APPLICATION
When I read this story, I realize Jesus isn't trying to impress the disciples with his power. He wanted them to think about who he was. I did the same. Jesus is...
Creator of wind and water.
Ruler of nature.
Almighty-with a word from his mouth he calmed the situation.
Silencer of the seas.
Rebuker of the wind.
Builder of faith.
Calmer of the fearful.
He's God in the boat. When he journeys with me, why should I fear?
PRAYER
Lord, you are in control of this world. When the seas start to churn and the wind gets rough, you are the one who brings the calm.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
I Will Hope in Him
SCRIPTURE
Even if he kills me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways before Him. Yes, this will result in my deliverance, for no godless person can appear before Him. (Job 13:15-16)
OBSERVATION
These verses struck me as a bold statement by Job. He had lost everything, his family (except for his wife), his home, possessions, and his health (developed a bad case of incurable boils). Here's the bold part: Even if God would take his life, he was still going to hope in Him. He could have been angry and blamed God for his situation but the Bible says, "Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything." (Job 1:22) Job maintained his innocence. He had done nothing for which God was be "punishing" him. His friends tried to convince him otherwise. "Come on Job, just admit that you sinned and God is out to get you."
Job held this tension in his life: He is innocent, God is good, and bad things have happened to him. The incredible thing is that he still hoped in God even if God were to take his life. In the end, Job understood that God is just and He could be trusted.
APPLICATION
How do I make sense of the things that happen in life? Not necessarily to myself but to people, who's difficult stories I've encountered. More and more I'm coming to appreciate the faith of Job. He didn't need to explain it all, but he did understand where the source of his hope...that it is in God.
God is not to be blamed or impugned when it comes to tragedy. If I blame God I no longer see Him as good. If He is no longer good there is no hope because He is the only one who can ultimately deliver us. If I blame God, where else can I turn? I have a choice. I can spend my life pursuing elusive answers or I can pursue a relationship with God who is the author of eternal life. I wish I always knew the "whys" but more importantly I can always know the "Who"--the God who is good no matter what happens.
PRAYER
Lord, help my first question not be "Why?" but "Who?" The Who? is You. Thank you God that you are always good and are the source of hope. Hope not just for now but for forever. Help my faith to grow to be like that of Job's where I can stand confidently when the world comes crashing down.
Even if he kills me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways before Him. Yes, this will result in my deliverance, for no godless person can appear before Him. (Job 13:15-16)
OBSERVATION
These verses struck me as a bold statement by Job. He had lost everything, his family (except for his wife), his home, possessions, and his health (developed a bad case of incurable boils). Here's the bold part: Even if God would take his life, he was still going to hope in Him. He could have been angry and blamed God for his situation but the Bible says, "Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything." (Job 1:22) Job maintained his innocence. He had done nothing for which God was be "punishing" him. His friends tried to convince him otherwise. "Come on Job, just admit that you sinned and God is out to get you."
Job held this tension in his life: He is innocent, God is good, and bad things have happened to him. The incredible thing is that he still hoped in God even if God were to take his life. In the end, Job understood that God is just and He could be trusted.
APPLICATION
How do I make sense of the things that happen in life? Not necessarily to myself but to people, who's difficult stories I've encountered. More and more I'm coming to appreciate the faith of Job. He didn't need to explain it all, but he did understand where the source of his hope...that it is in God.
God is not to be blamed or impugned when it comes to tragedy. If I blame God I no longer see Him as good. If He is no longer good there is no hope because He is the only one who can ultimately deliver us. If I blame God, where else can I turn? I have a choice. I can spend my life pursuing elusive answers or I can pursue a relationship with God who is the author of eternal life. I wish I always knew the "whys" but more importantly I can always know the "Who"--the God who is good no matter what happens.
PRAYER
Lord, help my first question not be "Why?" but "Who?" The Who? is You. Thank you God that you are always good and are the source of hope. Hope not just for now but for forever. Help my faith to grow to be like that of Job's where I can stand confidently when the world comes crashing down.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
No Matter What
SCRIPTURE
"Your words against Me are harsh," says the LORD.
Yet you ask: "What have we spoken against you?"
You have said: "It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? So now we consider the arrogant to be fortunate. Not only do those who commit wickedness prosper, they even test God and escape.
At that time those who feared the LORD spoke to one another. The LORD took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name. "They will be Mine," says the LORD of Hosts,"a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. (Malachi 3:13-18)
OBSERVATION
God was reprimanding his people through the prophet Malachi. They were complaining that there was no benefit to serving him. There was nothing to gain by following his word. Arrogant and wicked people, those who did not worship God, were prosperous and seemed to escape God's notice. So God comes back and says in effect, "You don't know what you're talking about. I do remember your service. I'm ultimately preparing a day when the distinction between those who serve me and those who don't will be made pretty clear."
APPLICATION
I get Malachi. Sometimes I too can adopt the "what's the use" attitude when it comes to following Jesus. I have heartache and trouble like people who don't follow God. In fact, at times, it seems like their life is even better. They can do whatever they want. They don't have to get up early for church, try to serve other people, or live according to God's word. Then I realize it's not all about the here and now. God does remember and there will come a day when all accounts are settled. My reward does not come in this lifetime. I'm not guranteed wealth, health, and success. That comes in eternity. So in the meantime, I'll keep on serving because I know God will not forget his special possession--people who serve him no matter what happens.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for reminding me about eternity. Even though right now there does not seem to be a difference between those who serve you and those who don't, you do not forget and you will reward your servants on the day you have prepared.
"Your words against Me are harsh," says the LORD.
Yet you ask: "What have we spoken against you?"
You have said: "It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the Lord of Hosts? So now we consider the arrogant to be fortunate. Not only do those who commit wickedness prosper, they even test God and escape.
At that time those who feared the LORD spoke to one another. The LORD took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who feared Yahweh and had high regard for His name. "They will be Mine," says the LORD of Hosts,"a special possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. (Malachi 3:13-18)
OBSERVATION
God was reprimanding his people through the prophet Malachi. They were complaining that there was no benefit to serving him. There was nothing to gain by following his word. Arrogant and wicked people, those who did not worship God, were prosperous and seemed to escape God's notice. So God comes back and says in effect, "You don't know what you're talking about. I do remember your service. I'm ultimately preparing a day when the distinction between those who serve me and those who don't will be made pretty clear."
APPLICATION
I get Malachi. Sometimes I too can adopt the "what's the use" attitude when it comes to following Jesus. I have heartache and trouble like people who don't follow God. In fact, at times, it seems like their life is even better. They can do whatever they want. They don't have to get up early for church, try to serve other people, or live according to God's word. Then I realize it's not all about the here and now. God does remember and there will come a day when all accounts are settled. My reward does not come in this lifetime. I'm not guranteed wealth, health, and success. That comes in eternity. So in the meantime, I'll keep on serving because I know God will not forget his special possession--people who serve him no matter what happens.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for reminding me about eternity. Even though right now there does not seem to be a difference between those who serve you and those who don't, you do not forget and you will reward your servants on the day you have prepared.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Living What I'm Learning
SCRIPTURE
"The gracious hand of his God was on him, because Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:9-10)
OBSERVATION
God's people had disobeyed and, as he warned, they were taken out of the Promised Land into captivity in a foreign land. After a period of captivity, Ezra returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the temple and reinstitute its worship. In this verse, and surrounding passage, Ezra had success in his request to return to Jerusalem because God's hand was on him. The Bible often speaks of God's hand. When it is "on" someone it evokes an image of help, strength and support that leads to accomplishment of his purposes. However, when his hand is against someone there is the idea of pushing back or frustration of plans that do not come to fruition. Ultimately God's hand, whether on or against, determines the outcome of someone's undertaking. As a scribe, Ezra was a teacher and leader. God's hand was with him not just because he studied and taught the law of the Lord, but because he obeyed. He didn't just know and and teach it, he lived it. They were not empty words but they were words backed up by his life.
APPLICATION
I think the key to Ezra's success was his obedience to God. For God's hand to be on me I need to do more than know and teach God's word, I need to obey. It's rather easy to study and it's easy to tell someone else about God's word. The challenge comes in obedience. This is where the word moves from my head to my heart and is expressed in my actions. Throughout the Bible the people who really made a difference were the people who obeyed God. It starts with a decision. Ezra "determined in his heart" to study, obey, and teach. I want to make a difference by living what I'm learning.
PRAYER
Lord, I want to do more than study and teach your word, but have it shape my life so I'm walking and living what I'm teaching.
"The gracious hand of his God was on him, because Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:9-10)
OBSERVATION
God's people had disobeyed and, as he warned, they were taken out of the Promised Land into captivity in a foreign land. After a period of captivity, Ezra returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the temple and reinstitute its worship. In this verse, and surrounding passage, Ezra had success in his request to return to Jerusalem because God's hand was on him. The Bible often speaks of God's hand. When it is "on" someone it evokes an image of help, strength and support that leads to accomplishment of his purposes. However, when his hand is against someone there is the idea of pushing back or frustration of plans that do not come to fruition. Ultimately God's hand, whether on or against, determines the outcome of someone's undertaking. As a scribe, Ezra was a teacher and leader. God's hand was with him not just because he studied and taught the law of the Lord, but because he obeyed. He didn't just know and and teach it, he lived it. They were not empty words but they were words backed up by his life.
APPLICATION
I think the key to Ezra's success was his obedience to God. For God's hand to be on me I need to do more than know and teach God's word, I need to obey. It's rather easy to study and it's easy to tell someone else about God's word. The challenge comes in obedience. This is where the word moves from my head to my heart and is expressed in my actions. Throughout the Bible the people who really made a difference were the people who obeyed God. It starts with a decision. Ezra "determined in his heart" to study, obey, and teach. I want to make a difference by living what I'm learning.
PRAYER
Lord, I want to do more than study and teach your word, but have it shape my life so I'm walking and living what I'm teaching.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Unsettled Accounts
SCRIPTURE
"When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:112-14)
OBSERVATION
Jesus challenges his followers to a life of self-sacrifice. Much of our lives can be lived with a "what's in it for me attitude." Jesus turns that thinking upside down. In this paragraph he teaches us to do something for people who will not be able to repay. He actually challenges us to seek opportunities where there will be nothing "in it for me." We are to look out for the less fortunate and those who do not have the means to return the favor. Jesus is always concerned for the "least of these" in the world. The blessing comes not by being repaid by others but by being repaid by Jesus.
APPLICATION
This eliminates the motivation of selfishness. I'm not helping someone to receive something in return. In fact, if all of my accounts are settled (the kind things I do are repaid) then there is nothing left for Jesus to repay. My goal is to have as many accounts unsettled (doing things for people who cannot repay) so when Jesus returns my payment will come from him. I need to live my life out-giving others to receive the ultimate from Jesus by hearing him say, "Well done good and faithful servant."
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see people who are in need and to help those who cannot repay.
"When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:112-14)
OBSERVATION
Jesus challenges his followers to a life of self-sacrifice. Much of our lives can be lived with a "what's in it for me attitude." Jesus turns that thinking upside down. In this paragraph he teaches us to do something for people who will not be able to repay. He actually challenges us to seek opportunities where there will be nothing "in it for me." We are to look out for the less fortunate and those who do not have the means to return the favor. Jesus is always concerned for the "least of these" in the world. The blessing comes not by being repaid by others but by being repaid by Jesus.
APPLICATION
This eliminates the motivation of selfishness. I'm not helping someone to receive something in return. In fact, if all of my accounts are settled (the kind things I do are repaid) then there is nothing left for Jesus to repay. My goal is to have as many accounts unsettled (doing things for people who cannot repay) so when Jesus returns my payment will come from him. I need to live my life out-giving others to receive the ultimate from Jesus by hearing him say, "Well done good and faithful servant."
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see people who are in need and to help those who cannot repay.
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