SCRIPTURE
The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son--the One who is at the Father's side--He has revealed Him. (John 1:18)
OBSERVATION
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus is unique. He's the Only Son of God. There is no one like Him. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died and came back to life three days later. His life revealed who God is And, right now He is in heaven seated at God's right hand--the place of authority and power.
APPLICATION
The more I understand who Jesus is the more I appreciate Christmas. The baby wrapped in cloth was God wrapped in flesh. God's One and Only appeared in time and space so I could live eternally--outside of time and space. Hallmark has nothing on God. He cared enough to send, not just his very best, but his One and Only. Christmas is about Christ. The tree will turn brown, the wrapping paper ripped off and thrown away, the cookies will become stale, but Jesus lasts forever. He is the 365 day Christmas presence.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the hope of Jesus. Your incredible plan to save us from ourselves involved sending your One and Only. Help me to make Jesus, the one and only focus of my Christmas celebration.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Keeping God's Statutes
SCRIPTURE
How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the law of the Lord! Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways. You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept. If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all Your commands. (Psalm 119:1-6)
OBSERVATION
The psalmist describes those who live according to God's word. Their way is blameless. They are happy. They do nothing wrong. He describes a life that is lived according to God's will. It's really not an option. God commands that his laws be diligently kept.
Upon introspection, however, the psalmist admits that his ways are not committed to keeping God's statutes. His heart wanders and he does not live according to God's law. When he thinks about God's commands and where he falls short he is ashamed.
APPLICATION
I love the honesty of the psalmist. I can relate to his struggle. I want to live according to the law of God and I am ashamed when I think about the ways I fall short. Fortunately, he provides a couple of practical ways to live. First, seek God with all my heart. Instead of seeking what I want, seek to know God's word and his desire for my life. Second, I need to make a commitment to keep God's laws. The disconnect with the psalmist, and myself I'm afraid, is the "if only." "If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statues." It's about aligning my ways with God's ways. I need to commit to keeping God's statutes. Then, even when I don't feel like obeying, the commitment will help see me through. God's word is a spiritual mirror. It is provides the reflection for my spiritual life. It helps me see clearly how I need to groom my walk with God.
PRAYER
Lord, I want to be one of those who are happy because I consistently keep your decrees. Thank you for your word that instructs and guides my life.
How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the law of the Lord! Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways. You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept. If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all Your commands. (Psalm 119:1-6)
OBSERVATION
The psalmist describes those who live according to God's word. Their way is blameless. They are happy. They do nothing wrong. He describes a life that is lived according to God's will. It's really not an option. God commands that his laws be diligently kept.
Upon introspection, however, the psalmist admits that his ways are not committed to keeping God's statutes. His heart wanders and he does not live according to God's law. When he thinks about God's commands and where he falls short he is ashamed.
APPLICATION
I love the honesty of the psalmist. I can relate to his struggle. I want to live according to the law of God and I am ashamed when I think about the ways I fall short. Fortunately, he provides a couple of practical ways to live. First, seek God with all my heart. Instead of seeking what I want, seek to know God's word and his desire for my life. Second, I need to make a commitment to keep God's laws. The disconnect with the psalmist, and myself I'm afraid, is the "if only." "If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statues." It's about aligning my ways with God's ways. I need to commit to keeping God's statutes. Then, even when I don't feel like obeying, the commitment will help see me through. God's word is a spiritual mirror. It is provides the reflection for my spiritual life. It helps me see clearly how I need to groom my walk with God.
PRAYER
Lord, I want to be one of those who are happy because I consistently keep your decrees. Thank you for your word that instructs and guides my life.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Stumbling Block
SCRIPTURE
So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. Do not tear down God's work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats. It is a noble thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble. Do you have faith? Keep it to yourself before God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin." (Romans 14:19-23)
OBSERVATION
Paul is concerned about how his life affects someone else. (This is obviously an important teaching because he also wrote about it in 1 Corinthians.) Living under grace brings freedom. There are no longer laws about clean and unclean food and special days of worship. However, Paul reminds the Romans, and Corinthians, and me, that this freedom is not to be misused. In what we approve (things that we know are not wrong in themselves, i.e. eating meat, drinking wine) we have to be careful not to condemn ourselves in the process by causing someone else to stumble.
APPLICATION
I've come across this theme a couple times in the last few weeks. Honestly, I don't want to be responsible for someone else's behavior. Ultimately they make the choice, but the bigger issue is that I do need to be concerned about the spiritual welfare of others. I know there are things that are not wrong in themselves (not commands or prohibitions of Jesus), but I need to be careful in the area of opinion and freedom so that someone who is convicted about something does not stumble. Some of the things my seem a little ridiculous...I knew people who thought playing cards was a sin. The thing that I approve of may not be a problem for my relationship with God. However, for someone else that very thing is a roadblock in their spiritual journey. So no matter what I think of the situation, what matters is what I think of the person. I need to have their best interest at heart, give up some of my freedom so they will not stumble. That is tough.
PRAYER
Lord, this is really a challenge at times. Give me the wisdom to do what is right, not for me, but for others. I don't want my life to be a stumbling block for others to get to know you.
So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. Do not tear down God's work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats. It is a noble thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble. Do you have faith? Keep it to yourself before God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin." (Romans 14:19-23)
OBSERVATION
Paul is concerned about how his life affects someone else. (This is obviously an important teaching because he also wrote about it in 1 Corinthians.) Living under grace brings freedom. There are no longer laws about clean and unclean food and special days of worship. However, Paul reminds the Romans, and Corinthians, and me, that this freedom is not to be misused. In what we approve (things that we know are not wrong in themselves, i.e. eating meat, drinking wine) we have to be careful not to condemn ourselves in the process by causing someone else to stumble.
APPLICATION
I've come across this theme a couple times in the last few weeks. Honestly, I don't want to be responsible for someone else's behavior. Ultimately they make the choice, but the bigger issue is that I do need to be concerned about the spiritual welfare of others. I know there are things that are not wrong in themselves (not commands or prohibitions of Jesus), but I need to be careful in the area of opinion and freedom so that someone who is convicted about something does not stumble. Some of the things my seem a little ridiculous...I knew people who thought playing cards was a sin. The thing that I approve of may not be a problem for my relationship with God. However, for someone else that very thing is a roadblock in their spiritual journey. So no matter what I think of the situation, what matters is what I think of the person. I need to have their best interest at heart, give up some of my freedom so they will not stumble. That is tough.
PRAYER
Lord, this is really a challenge at times. Give me the wisdom to do what is right, not for me, but for others. I don't want my life to be a stumbling block for others to get to know you.
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