SCRIPTURE
"I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection." (Acts 23:6)
OBSERVATION
Paul was on trial before the Sanhedrin (these guys had a way of dragging the apostles in for a court session). His audience was theologically diverse. The Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection, angels, nor spirits. The Pharisees, on the other hand, believed in all of these things. It comes as no surprise then that a dispute broke out among them because Paul was talking about a controversial topic, to the Sadducees at least, which was the resurrection of Jesus. The dispute became so violent the commander put him in the barracks for his own protection. Ironically, the following night Jesus stood near Paul and told him to have courage. The very reason the fight broke out was because some did not believe in the resurrection and here is Jesus, alive, encouraging Paul in his cell.
Paul's hope was real because he had seen the risen Jesus. He knew what he was teaching and believed it with every fiber of his being. The resurrection proved to be the focal point of Paul's faith. It is what gave him courage to face opposition and hope for the future.
APPLICATION
Do I really live like Jesus is alive? Like Paul, my faith needs to rest on the resurrection of Jesus. Everything hinges on that one event in history. Hope, courage, and the story of Jesus are validated by the fact that he is alive. Everyday can be different when I'm aware that Jesus is part of my daily experience. He is the constant companion as I journey through life. Mountains and valleys are not the same because he goes with me. In the end, he is all that matters. My life is standing on a hole in the ground. It just happens to be empty.
PRAYER
Lord, I desire to walk in constant awareness of the presence of the resurrected Christ in my life.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Going Up...and Down
SCRIPTURE
"God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins." (Acts 5:21)
OBSERVATION
Peter was talking about Jesus before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish rulers). After bluntly pointing out that they had killed Jesus on a cross, Peter went on to say that God had raised him from the dead. It's almost as if God went over their heads, raising the Messiah from the dead and seating him at his own right hand, the place of power and prominence. All of this was in spite of the fact that they are the ones who put him to death. God did not hold the death of his son against them. What a great display of his mercy and grace.
In this verse, Jesus is going up (exalted as Prince and Savior) and people are to be going down (repenting). John the Baptist put it this way, "He [Jesus] must increase and I must decrease." As Jesus goes up in our lives, we set him apart as Lord and see him seated next to the throne of God, our response is one of humility, or lowering ourselves before him. He then gives us grace and forgiveness.
APPLICATION
When I see Jesus for who he really is, exalted at God's right hand, I also see myself for who I am. But the reason Jesus is exalted is not to leave me feeling helpless or worthless but to bring me to repentance. To change my mind about my own life and plans and follow God's plans and purposes for my life. God's wonderful gift is to provide the forgiveness of my sins. It begins when Jesus goes up and I live life in proper perspective of who he is and what he desires for me.
PRAYER
Lord, your desire to forgive sins is a great reminder of your grace and mercy.
"God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins." (Acts 5:21)
OBSERVATION
Peter was talking about Jesus before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish rulers). After bluntly pointing out that they had killed Jesus on a cross, Peter went on to say that God had raised him from the dead. It's almost as if God went over their heads, raising the Messiah from the dead and seating him at his own right hand, the place of power and prominence. All of this was in spite of the fact that they are the ones who put him to death. God did not hold the death of his son against them. What a great display of his mercy and grace.
In this verse, Jesus is going up (exalted as Prince and Savior) and people are to be going down (repenting). John the Baptist put it this way, "He [Jesus] must increase and I must decrease." As Jesus goes up in our lives, we set him apart as Lord and see him seated next to the throne of God, our response is one of humility, or lowering ourselves before him. He then gives us grace and forgiveness.
APPLICATION
When I see Jesus for who he really is, exalted at God's right hand, I also see myself for who I am. But the reason Jesus is exalted is not to leave me feeling helpless or worthless but to bring me to repentance. To change my mind about my own life and plans and follow God's plans and purposes for my life. God's wonderful gift is to provide the forgiveness of my sins. It begins when Jesus goes up and I live life in proper perspective of who he is and what he desires for me.
PRAYER
Lord, your desire to forgive sins is a great reminder of your grace and mercy.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Calm Yourself
SCRIPTURE
"My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed myself and quieted my ambitions. I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore." (Psalm 131)
OBSERVATION
What was happening in David's life when he penned this psalm? As the king, he certainly would have had a lot of concerns weighing heavily on his life. Matters of state and personal problems that could consume his time, energy, and thoughts. In this psalm of personal disclosure, he seems to reign back his ambitions and focus only on the things he needed to concern himself with, letting the rest go. It took humility. A proud heart and haughty eyes convince us we can concern ourselves with everything. The reality is that most everything does not concern us. Realizing that he could not do it all or have it all. The result? He found that he was satisfied, content, and secure in the presence of God (like a well-fed child with its mother).
APPLICATION
It's easy to become consumed with things I can do nothing about (the state of the economy, politics, the environment). Now, I need do my part, but I cannot do more than my part. Pride convinces me to take on more concerns than I need to be concerned about. However, when I humble my heart and focus my ambitions on the things right in front of me, without the need to do more, I find real peace and security Those "great matters" or "things too wonderful for me" can become sources of hope knowing that God will take care of everything I can't.
PRAYER
Lord, in you there is contentment and rest. I put my hope in you.
"My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed myself and quieted my ambitions. I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore." (Psalm 131)
OBSERVATION
What was happening in David's life when he penned this psalm? As the king, he certainly would have had a lot of concerns weighing heavily on his life. Matters of state and personal problems that could consume his time, energy, and thoughts. In this psalm of personal disclosure, he seems to reign back his ambitions and focus only on the things he needed to concern himself with, letting the rest go. It took humility. A proud heart and haughty eyes convince us we can concern ourselves with everything. The reality is that most everything does not concern us. Realizing that he could not do it all or have it all. The result? He found that he was satisfied, content, and secure in the presence of God (like a well-fed child with its mother).
APPLICATION
It's easy to become consumed with things I can do nothing about (the state of the economy, politics, the environment). Now, I need do my part, but I cannot do more than my part. Pride convinces me to take on more concerns than I need to be concerned about. However, when I humble my heart and focus my ambitions on the things right in front of me, without the need to do more, I find real peace and security Those "great matters" or "things too wonderful for me" can become sources of hope knowing that God will take care of everything I can't.
PRAYER
Lord, in you there is contentment and rest. I put my hope in you.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Humpty Dumpty Life
SCRIPTURE
"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but anyone on whom it falls will be crushed." (Luke 20:17-18)
OBSERVATION
Jesus had just told a parable about an owner who rented his vineyard to tenants. At harvest time he sent three of his servants, who the tenants in turn beat and sent away empty handed. Finally the owner sent his son, thinking the tenants would respect him. However, the tenants threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. The builders (the tenants) rejected the stone (the son).
Jesus told this parable about himself. The builders (God's people) were in charge of building the kingdom, the house of God. Yet, they rejected the Messiah (the main part of the building) who became the chief cornerstone of a new building, the church.
With regards to that stone there are two observations. First, a person can fall on it. Everyone who does will be broken. Or, the stone can fall on a person. Anyone on whom it falls will be crushed. Jesus seems to be contrasting these two options. He states one, then the other. And the second option is the less desirable. Does that mean the first option is more desirable?
APPLICATION
Maybe the first part of the equation (falling on the stone) is not such a bad thing. Isn't that what it means to live for Christ? Falling on him, living a crucified life, allowing him to break me of my pride and self-centerdness. It means walking in humility and allowing Jesus to break up the fallow ground in my life. Perhaps he wants me to live broken to pieces. It leaves me only with one choice. I can choose to fall on him and live the emptied out life. If I don't choose that option, he will fall on me, the crushing of judgment. I think I'll choose to be broken. It's the Humpty-Dumpty life with a major twist...the King can, and does, put me back together again.
PRAYER
Lord, I desire for my life to be broken, poured out, and lived on the chief cornerstone of Christ.
"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but anyone on whom it falls will be crushed." (Luke 20:17-18)
OBSERVATION
Jesus had just told a parable about an owner who rented his vineyard to tenants. At harvest time he sent three of his servants, who the tenants in turn beat and sent away empty handed. Finally the owner sent his son, thinking the tenants would respect him. However, the tenants threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. The builders (the tenants) rejected the stone (the son).
Jesus told this parable about himself. The builders (God's people) were in charge of building the kingdom, the house of God. Yet, they rejected the Messiah (the main part of the building) who became the chief cornerstone of a new building, the church.
With regards to that stone there are two observations. First, a person can fall on it. Everyone who does will be broken. Or, the stone can fall on a person. Anyone on whom it falls will be crushed. Jesus seems to be contrasting these two options. He states one, then the other. And the second option is the less desirable. Does that mean the first option is more desirable?
APPLICATION
Maybe the first part of the equation (falling on the stone) is not such a bad thing. Isn't that what it means to live for Christ? Falling on him, living a crucified life, allowing him to break me of my pride and self-centerdness. It means walking in humility and allowing Jesus to break up the fallow ground in my life. Perhaps he wants me to live broken to pieces. It leaves me only with one choice. I can choose to fall on him and live the emptied out life. If I don't choose that option, he will fall on me, the crushing of judgment. I think I'll choose to be broken. It's the Humpty-Dumpty life with a major twist...the King can, and does, put me back together again.
PRAYER
Lord, I desire for my life to be broken, poured out, and lived on the chief cornerstone of Christ.
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