SCRIPTURE
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).
OBSERVATION
Paul had just listed some of the temptations of the temptations the Israelites had experienced (and gave in to): sexual immorality, testing Christ and grumbling. These things, he reminds us, were written for our instruction. So, what can we learn? First, when we face temptation we are not experiencing anything new, it is "common to man." Second, God knows our limit. He won't let us be tempted beyond our ability. Every temptation we face is really below the threshold where we always have the option to flee. Third, along with the temptation comes an escape route. The way of escape is enduring the temptation, not giving in until it passes. Enduring requires effort, resistance, and relying on the strength God gives though his Spirit. It's interesting that the way of escape comes "with" the temptation. At any point along the way, one or the other (temptation or escape) can be chosen.
APPLICATION
I've read this verse many times but never picked up on the aspect of God's faithfulness that comes with temptation. He comes alongside of me to provide a way out. I just need to look for the escape route. It is easy to become focused on the temptation--that it is all-powerful, and all-consuming. Instead, in those moments, I need to look for God's faithfulness. He is there providing a way out. Will I look at the temptation, or will I look for God's faithfulness?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your faithfulness, even in the midst of temptation. Amen.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
In the Shadow of the Cross
SCRIPTURE
"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2).
OBSERVATION
There were a lot of things Paul could have told the Corinthians about Jesus. How he met him face to face on the road to Damascus. How he had been taught by Jesus and received revelation from him. Paul could have used long words with a lot of bragging. Instead, he focuses, deliberately decides, to keep his message on the cross...Jesus' crucified. Everything centers on him. Not just Jesus as a person, but on him crucified--as the savior of mankind. Paul's preaching and message were all about Jesus.
APPLICATION
I'm sure not more intelligent than Paul. Even though he downplayed it in 1 Corinthians, the guy was incredibly smart (he had wisdom from God). I can learn a great lesson from Paul's focus. Keep it about Jesus and the cross. If I don't get that across, I've got nothing across. Faith is about a person and how I walk with that Person...Jesus. My efforts need to focus on Jesus and him crucified. All of life hangs on the cross. It's the pivotal point in history and the center of God's redemptive plan. Keep it simple...live in the shadow of the cross.
PRAYER
Father, thanks for the reminder to keep my life (teaching, preaching, living, focus, everything) about the cross. Help me to keep Jesus at the center of all I do. Amen.
"For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2).
OBSERVATION
There were a lot of things Paul could have told the Corinthians about Jesus. How he met him face to face on the road to Damascus. How he had been taught by Jesus and received revelation from him. Paul could have used long words with a lot of bragging. Instead, he focuses, deliberately decides, to keep his message on the cross...Jesus' crucified. Everything centers on him. Not just Jesus as a person, but on him crucified--as the savior of mankind. Paul's preaching and message were all about Jesus.
APPLICATION
I'm sure not more intelligent than Paul. Even though he downplayed it in 1 Corinthians, the guy was incredibly smart (he had wisdom from God). I can learn a great lesson from Paul's focus. Keep it about Jesus and the cross. If I don't get that across, I've got nothing across. Faith is about a person and how I walk with that Person...Jesus. My efforts need to focus on Jesus and him crucified. All of life hangs on the cross. It's the pivotal point in history and the center of God's redemptive plan. Keep it simple...live in the shadow of the cross.
PRAYER
Father, thanks for the reminder to keep my life (teaching, preaching, living, focus, everything) about the cross. Help me to keep Jesus at the center of all I do. Amen.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Reflecting God's Heart
SCRIPTURE
"If there is a poor person among you, one of your brothers within any of your gates in the land the LORD your God is giving you, you must not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him enough for whatever need he has." (Deuteronomy 15:7-8)
OBSERVATION
God was providing for the poor as the Israelites were preparing to move into the promised land. There would always be poor in the land and that is why he had to give them this command. According to Jesus, the poor are "the least of these." God always has a heart for the defenseless and those in society who cannot provide or fend for themselves. The "haves" can become cynical and jaded toward the "have nots." We can make excuses for why we shouldn't be generous. The Isrealites did. Every seven years they were to forgive each other's debts. Of course people would tend to be less generous in years 5 and 6 because they knew the next year the poor man would have his debt forgiven. Had it all planned out. God called this a wicked thought and when the poor cried out the stingy would be found guilty.
APPLICATION
I need to take seriously the "least of these." It is easy to become cynical of people who have their hand out, but in doing so I risk overlooking people with legitimate needs. To have the heart of God means I look at people with compassion instead of suspicion. Opening not just my heart but my hand to provide for their needs. God's compassion is then expressed in my life.
PRAYER
Lord, how often have I passed up the opportunity you've presented before me to reflect your care and concern for the poor? I want my heart, and my hand, to express your heart and reflect your hand. Amen.
"If there is a poor person among you, one of your brothers within any of your gates in the land the LORD your God is giving you, you must not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him enough for whatever need he has." (Deuteronomy 15:7-8)
OBSERVATION
God was providing for the poor as the Israelites were preparing to move into the promised land. There would always be poor in the land and that is why he had to give them this command. According to Jesus, the poor are "the least of these." God always has a heart for the defenseless and those in society who cannot provide or fend for themselves. The "haves" can become cynical and jaded toward the "have nots." We can make excuses for why we shouldn't be generous. The Isrealites did. Every seven years they were to forgive each other's debts. Of course people would tend to be less generous in years 5 and 6 because they knew the next year the poor man would have his debt forgiven. Had it all planned out. God called this a wicked thought and when the poor cried out the stingy would be found guilty.
APPLICATION
I need to take seriously the "least of these." It is easy to become cynical of people who have their hand out, but in doing so I risk overlooking people with legitimate needs. To have the heart of God means I look at people with compassion instead of suspicion. Opening not just my heart but my hand to provide for their needs. God's compassion is then expressed in my life.
PRAYER
Lord, how often have I passed up the opportunity you've presented before me to reflect your care and concern for the poor? I want my heart, and my hand, to express your heart and reflect your hand. Amen.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Permission Slip-ups
SCRIPTURE
"So the LORD's anger burned that day, and He swore an oath: 'Because they did not follow Me completely, none of the men 20 years old or more who came up from Egypt will see the land I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-- none except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, because they did follow the LORD completely.'"
(Numbers 32:10-12)."
OBSERVATION
The whole generation, except for two, was not allowed to enter the promised land because they did not follow the Lord completely. God is serious about obedience. I wonder if we've made our relationship with him too casual? Have we made it more multiple choice than true/false? Yes, God is a God of grace. But His mercy is also balanced by his justice, holiness, and righteousness. To focus on one, to the neglect of the others, is to have a disproportionate God. In turn, we'll have a disproportionate faith and walk with Him.
APPLICATION
I've been guilty of abusing grace. Worshiping a multiple choice God...choosing what I prefer (love over justice, mercy over righteousness). God wants me to follow completely. Yes, there are the times when I stumble, but they should be the exception, not the rule. Grace is there to cover over the goof-ups but it is not there to provide a permission slip to slip-up whenever I want. Obedience is not convenient. It always costs. Am I willing to pay the price?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for the times I've used grace as a permission slip to slip-up in my walk with you. Help me to be more like Caleb and Joshua. Walking with their level of commitment and obedience. Amen.
"So the LORD's anger burned that day, and He swore an oath: 'Because they did not follow Me completely, none of the men 20 years old or more who came up from Egypt will see the land I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob-- none except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, because they did follow the LORD completely.'"
(Numbers 32:10-12)."
OBSERVATION
The whole generation, except for two, was not allowed to enter the promised land because they did not follow the Lord completely. God is serious about obedience. I wonder if we've made our relationship with him too casual? Have we made it more multiple choice than true/false? Yes, God is a God of grace. But His mercy is also balanced by his justice, holiness, and righteousness. To focus on one, to the neglect of the others, is to have a disproportionate God. In turn, we'll have a disproportionate faith and walk with Him.
APPLICATION
I've been guilty of abusing grace. Worshiping a multiple choice God...choosing what I prefer (love over justice, mercy over righteousness). God wants me to follow completely. Yes, there are the times when I stumble, but they should be the exception, not the rule. Grace is there to cover over the goof-ups but it is not there to provide a permission slip to slip-up whenever I want. Obedience is not convenient. It always costs. Am I willing to pay the price?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for the times I've used grace as a permission slip to slip-up in my walk with you. Help me to be more like Caleb and Joshua. Walking with their level of commitment and obedience. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)