SCRIPTURE
"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:12-15)
OBSERVATION
Paul continues to contrast a life lived in the Spirit and a life lived in the flesh. The two "laws" deliver two qualities of life. The Law of the Spirit: wee are set free in Christ Jesus, it brings life and peace, we have our minds set on the Spirit. The Law of Sin and Death: is weakened by the flesh, we have our minds set on the flesh, it brings death and is hostile to God, it cannot submit to God.
The struggle is choosing which law to live under. The flesh cries out with its temptations and desires but the way of the Spirit is life. On our own we cannot do it. It is the work of Christ that helps us to overcome. He came in the flesh and by the cross condemned sin in the flesh. The life we live as a follower of Jesus is not lived in our own strength but in the strength of the Spirit. The Spirit who raised Christ from the dead gives us new life and helps raise us from the dead life of the flesh.
APPLICATION
It is by the Spirit that I put to death the deeds of my flesh. Shear willpower is not enough..that is trying to live by the flesh. The reality of my relationship with Christ is that he lives in me. By his death and resurrection he helps me to put to death the deeds of my flesh so I too can live a resurrected life. I only have the strength to do so much for so long. However, God's Spirit in me gives me new life and an everlasting source of strength. I need to set my mind on the Spirit and on the things of God. He brought me into a relationship with him so that I can live under a new law, the law of the Spirit, as a son and not as a slave to fear.
PRAYER
Lord, today I will face the struggle between choosing the flesh or the Spirit. Help me to focus on the Spirit and walk according to the new way of life.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Doubt Commission
SCRIPTURE
"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20)
OBSERVATION
This passage, commonly called "The Great Commission," was Jesus' charge to his followers just before he ascended back into heaven after his resurrection. The disciples were on the mountain and they were worshiping him. The text seems to indicate not all of them had a strong, ready to conquer the world faith at this point because "some doubted." What did they doubt? Doubted he was alive, doubted the events of the last few weeks, doubted who Jesus was. It could be all or none of these. One thing we do know is that mixed in this crowd of eleven some had doubts. Jesus reassures them by saying he has all authority in heaven and earth so what he is about to say, "Go and make disciples," has tremendous weight. What about the doubters? He says, "Don't worry, I am with you always." Those who doubted were still given the commision and were expected to be part of it.
APPLICATION
I love the way the bible portrays authentic, genuine faith. Here it doesn't gloss over the fact that even after Jesus resurrection there were some who doubted. He was standing in their midst, talking to them, and their minds were still conflicted. I can feel the same way. Doubts and questions arise. Not so much about who Jesus is but about who I am. Can I really do what he's called me to do? Namely, to go and make disciples. Yes I can. Even in the midst of doubts and uncertainties, because I know he is with me. When I doubt I can still be part of the commission to make disciples because Jesus says "I'm with you on your mission."
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your abiding presence. It is what helps give me the strength to do what you've called me to do even when I doubt my own strength.
"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20)
OBSERVATION
This passage, commonly called "The Great Commission," was Jesus' charge to his followers just before he ascended back into heaven after his resurrection. The disciples were on the mountain and they were worshiping him. The text seems to indicate not all of them had a strong, ready to conquer the world faith at this point because "some doubted." What did they doubt? Doubted he was alive, doubted the events of the last few weeks, doubted who Jesus was. It could be all or none of these. One thing we do know is that mixed in this crowd of eleven some had doubts. Jesus reassures them by saying he has all authority in heaven and earth so what he is about to say, "Go and make disciples," has tremendous weight. What about the doubters? He says, "Don't worry, I am with you always." Those who doubted were still given the commision and were expected to be part of it.
APPLICATION
I love the way the bible portrays authentic, genuine faith. Here it doesn't gloss over the fact that even after Jesus resurrection there were some who doubted. He was standing in their midst, talking to them, and their minds were still conflicted. I can feel the same way. Doubts and questions arise. Not so much about who Jesus is but about who I am. Can I really do what he's called me to do? Namely, to go and make disciples. Yes I can. Even in the midst of doubts and uncertainties, because I know he is with me. When I doubt I can still be part of the commission to make disciples because Jesus says "I'm with you on your mission."
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your abiding presence. It is what helps give me the strength to do what you've called me to do even when I doubt my own strength.
Old Age and Gray Hairs
SCRIPTURE
"For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come." (Psalm 71: 5,9,17-18)
OBSERVATION
David saw the continuity of God's activity in his life...from the days of his youth he had taught him. The reason he could trust him now was because he had a history with God. He saw God's activity in his life and now he could turn to him for refuge. David's concern was not just for himself but for future generations. He wanted to proclaim God's might. Even into old age he wanted to walk close to God so he could communicate his power to those to come.
APPLICATION
There's no retirement in the kingdom of God. There will never come a day when I don't have to share who God is with others. Right now, that sounds daunting. But God will give me the strength, even when it's spent. How do I know? Because he has taught me those things about himself in my life up to this point. So even to old age and gray hairs (which seems to come faster every year) he will continue to prove himself in my life. He will be my refuge, hope, and trust.
PRAYER
Lord, my work for you will never be done. The things you have taught me you want me to share with the next generation.
"For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come." (Psalm 71: 5,9,17-18)
OBSERVATION
David saw the continuity of God's activity in his life...from the days of his youth he had taught him. The reason he could trust him now was because he had a history with God. He saw God's activity in his life and now he could turn to him for refuge. David's concern was not just for himself but for future generations. He wanted to proclaim God's might. Even into old age he wanted to walk close to God so he could communicate his power to those to come.
APPLICATION
There's no retirement in the kingdom of God. There will never come a day when I don't have to share who God is with others. Right now, that sounds daunting. But God will give me the strength, even when it's spent. How do I know? Because he has taught me those things about himself in my life up to this point. So even to old age and gray hairs (which seems to come faster every year) he will continue to prove himself in my life. He will be my refuge, hope, and trust.
PRAYER
Lord, my work for you will never be done. The things you have taught me you want me to share with the next generation.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Who Knows?
SCRIPTURE
"Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate." (2 Samuel 12:20)
OBSERVATION
David's affair with Bathsheba resulted in her pregnancy and her husband's murder (by the hand of David). As a consequence, the child died seven days after he was born. Up to the point David did not eat and was lying on the ground seeking God on behalf of the child. The servants were afraid to tell David the child had died for fear he may harm himself. However, David saw them whispering and knew what it meant. His reaction surprised them. He got up, cleaned up, and went to worship. His explanation, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, 'Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.'" (12:22-23) David sought God in prayer until there was nothing more he could do.
APPLICATION
I need to pray as long as there is hope. Until there is nothing more that can be done. David's question is often my question, "Who knows?" Who knows if God will be gracious and grant my request? I certainly don't. That's why I need to keep praying. God's silence keeps me close to him. That sounds strange but it is true. Seeking him in prayer, in the midst of hard situations, is a way to grow in my relationship with him. My job is to pray persistently trusting God for the outcome.
PRAYER
Lord, I thank you that you allow me to wrestle with the things of life through prayer. There is always hope for you to graciously answer.
"Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate." (2 Samuel 12:20)
OBSERVATION
David's affair with Bathsheba resulted in her pregnancy and her husband's murder (by the hand of David). As a consequence, the child died seven days after he was born. Up to the point David did not eat and was lying on the ground seeking God on behalf of the child. The servants were afraid to tell David the child had died for fear he may harm himself. However, David saw them whispering and knew what it meant. His reaction surprised them. He got up, cleaned up, and went to worship. His explanation, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, 'Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.'" (12:22-23) David sought God in prayer until there was nothing more he could do.
APPLICATION
I need to pray as long as there is hope. Until there is nothing more that can be done. David's question is often my question, "Who knows?" Who knows if God will be gracious and grant my request? I certainly don't. That's why I need to keep praying. God's silence keeps me close to him. That sounds strange but it is true. Seeking him in prayer, in the midst of hard situations, is a way to grow in my relationship with him. My job is to pray persistently trusting God for the outcome.
PRAYER
Lord, I thank you that you allow me to wrestle with the things of life through prayer. There is always hope for you to graciously answer.
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