Scripture: Matthew 17:3-6 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard [it], they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Observation: God was doing something here. Jesus was engaged in conversation with Moses and Elijah in an open heaven on earth. What an amazing thing! John, James, and Peter were able to witness this supernatural event. Peter, who is often full of zeal, interrupts the conversation of Jesus to promote his own idea. If the culture of Judea was anything similar to today's culture, what Peter did was a rude thing. Interrupting the King of the Universe is something that is not advisable. Father God's rebuke was about as gentle as he could possibly have made it, but it still scared Peter, James, and John beyond description.
Application: God is active in our lifes, he has an agenda and is engaged in things on our behalf. Often we get our own ideas, and we want to interupt God. Interrupting God is very disrespectful. It leads to going our own way, in our own strength, which causes problems. However, often our ideas are inspired of God. How can we know the difference? Listening to God is key. If Peter had listened closer to God, rather than listening to the ideas spinning through his head, he would have been in tune with the Holy Spirit. We need time with God to be able to discern his thoughts from our thoughts, and we need to listen closely with reverence and respect.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, open our hears Lord. Let us hear you clearly. Open our hearts Lord, let us desire you with a pure love. Open our minds Lord, let us know you as our closest friend. Amen
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
How to build a ministry
Scripture: Mat 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Observation: Jesus is the Christ, God on Earth... and yet he didn't want his disciples going and telling everyone that. Jesus had many titles in the various old testement scriptures that prophesied his time on earth, he chose "son of man", the most humble of all to refer to himself with.
Application: Humility is a precious commodity. It is more powerful that they most persuasive speech. It is more beautiful that the finest sunset. It is more fragrant that the finest perfume. Let others discover who you are, rather than developing strategies to market yourself.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, let us be clothed in your humility. Let us lay down our life, take up our cross, and follow you. Let us not look to the left or the right, but keep our eyes on you at all times. Amen
Observation: Jesus is the Christ, God on Earth... and yet he didn't want his disciples going and telling everyone that. Jesus had many titles in the various old testement scriptures that prophesied his time on earth, he chose "son of man", the most humble of all to refer to himself with.
Application: Humility is a precious commodity. It is more powerful that they most persuasive speech. It is more beautiful that the finest sunset. It is more fragrant that the finest perfume. Let others discover who you are, rather than developing strategies to market yourself.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, let us be clothed in your humility. Let us lay down our life, take up our cross, and follow you. Let us not look to the left or the right, but keep our eyes on you at all times. Amen
Beware
Scripture: Mat 16:11-12 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Then understood they how that he bade [them] not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Observation: Yeast is everywhere, it is in every breath of air, it only needs a warm moist place to grow. Bad doctrine has a way of sneaking into our belief system. It doesn't come knocking on our door, it slips through the cracks in our walls and windows. But once it begins to grow from the inside, it seems as if it belonged there all along.
Application: The Apostle Paul told his church plants to believe nothing other than what he taught them. That seems pretty narrow minded, but he understood that the truth of who Jesus Christ is, is all sufficient. Every supposed truth we hear needs to be put to the test of scripture, and it it is not what the scripture teaches it should be discarded.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to remain true to you until the very end. We know that there are wolfs and snakes seeking to trick and devour us, but we put our trust solely in you and the work Christ did on the cross for us. Thank you Lord.
Then understood they how that he bade [them] not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Observation: Yeast is everywhere, it is in every breath of air, it only needs a warm moist place to grow. Bad doctrine has a way of sneaking into our belief system. It doesn't come knocking on our door, it slips through the cracks in our walls and windows. But once it begins to grow from the inside, it seems as if it belonged there all along.
Application: The Apostle Paul told his church plants to believe nothing other than what he taught them. That seems pretty narrow minded, but he understood that the truth of who Jesus Christ is, is all sufficient. Every supposed truth we hear needs to be put to the test of scripture, and it it is not what the scripture teaches it should be discarded.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to remain true to you until the very end. We know that there are wolfs and snakes seeking to trick and devour us, but we put our trust solely in you and the work Christ did on the cross for us. Thank you Lord.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Renew Your Strength
Scripture: Matthew 15:29-32 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. Then Jesus called his disciples [unto him], and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
Observation: Ministry is tiring. Jesus had been ministering several days and so as was his habit he retreated to the mountain to renew his strength. However, as it often happened people followed him, thousands of people followed him, and he had to minister to their needs.
Application: Like Jesus, we need to retreat and renew our strength. Like Jesus, the world will want to pull us back in. Like Jesus we need to take care of those things that absolutely must be done, but all the other things should be postponed so that we can retreat while the Lord renews our strength.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I love you. You are wonderful. You are Holy. Thank You for your word. Thank you that you said to come to you when we are weary. I pray that you would renew my strength. I pray that I would always turn to you as the source of my strength. I pray that I would turn away from the world, and toward you. thank you Jesus.
Observation: Ministry is tiring. Jesus had been ministering several days and so as was his habit he retreated to the mountain to renew his strength. However, as it often happened people followed him, thousands of people followed him, and he had to minister to their needs.
Application: Like Jesus, we need to retreat and renew our strength. Like Jesus, the world will want to pull us back in. Like Jesus we need to take care of those things that absolutely must be done, but all the other things should be postponed so that we can retreat while the Lord renews our strength.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I love you. You are wonderful. You are Holy. Thank You for your word. Thank you that you said to come to you when we are weary. I pray that you would renew my strength. I pray that I would always turn to you as the source of my strength. I pray that I would turn away from the world, and toward you. thank you Jesus.
Friday, October 22, 2010
God's Word is True
Scripture: Mat 15:7 - 9 [Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
Observation: Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 29:14 which is a prophesy for Jerusalem, which is where Jesus is speaking. We have to ask our selves, if we are not doing the same thing that the religious leaders of Jerusalem did?
Application: Teachers of the word of God, need to make sure we don't teach our Government's laws, and our social norms as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a very difficult thing, because we are so heavily influenced by our culture and the people in our lives. We need to have relationship with them, but we must also keep our minds clear that the Word of God is true.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your Word. Let us stand firm on your word and be grounded in it. Let us live our lives in such a way as to glorify you our King.
Observation: Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 29:14 which is a prophesy for Jerusalem, which is where Jesus is speaking. We have to ask our selves, if we are not doing the same thing that the religious leaders of Jerusalem did?
Application: Teachers of the word of God, need to make sure we don't teach our Government's laws, and our social norms as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a very difficult thing, because we are so heavily influenced by our culture and the people in our lives. We need to have relationship with them, but we must also keep our minds clear that the Word of God is true.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your Word. Let us stand firm on your word and be grounded in it. Let us live our lives in such a way as to glorify you our King.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
He Gave us Power
Scripture: Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Observation: Matthew Chapter 10 follows the Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5 - 7, and the calling of his disciples in Chapter 8 - 9. Here we see Jesus now sending his disciples out to minister. They have heard his teachings, they have seen his miracles, they have left all to follow him. Before he sends them out, he gives them power over demons and illness.
Application: Before God sends us out on missions, he gives us the power we need. In fact, all the power we need has been given to us by his death, burial, and resurrection as we yield ourselves to him. We are all called, but few choose to follow their calling. Be assured that if we choose to follow the plans God has for us, there will be power available to us to accomplish the mission.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for sacrificing your life for us. No greater love has anyone than to lay down their lives for another... and you did that for us. Let us now walk worthy of your sacrifice. Give us the power we need for the task at hand. In Jesus Name, let it be so.
Observation: Matthew Chapter 10 follows the Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5 - 7, and the calling of his disciples in Chapter 8 - 9. Here we see Jesus now sending his disciples out to minister. They have heard his teachings, they have seen his miracles, they have left all to follow him. Before he sends them out, he gives them power over demons and illness.
Application: Before God sends us out on missions, he gives us the power we need. In fact, all the power we need has been given to us by his death, burial, and resurrection as we yield ourselves to him. We are all called, but few choose to follow their calling. Be assured that if we choose to follow the plans God has for us, there will be power available to us to accomplish the mission.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for sacrificing your life for us. No greater love has anyone than to lay down their lives for another... and you did that for us. Let us now walk worthy of your sacrifice. Give us the power we need for the task at hand. In Jesus Name, let it be so.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Lord, Lord
Scripture: Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Observation: In these passages Jesus concludes the sermon on the mount, perhaps the most profound section of scripture in the Bible. To conclude his teaching, he addresses the subject of Lordship. He identifies who groups who call him Lord, the first call him Lord but he doesn't know them, and the second call him Lord but don't do what he asked them to do. In Jesus' day, land was owned by Lords. The Lords controlled absolutely everything that went on in their land. Most everyone who "worked" for the Lord was his property. The servants of a Lord were at his mercy, if they displeased the Lord then he could punish them up to death according to his whim.
Application: We must determine who our spiritual master is. Is it God, ourselves, or someone or something else? You have to serve someone. Most people in America choose to serve themselves. That seems to be the default choice. Others become totally dependent on someone else, and they serve them. And there are a very few, who choose to not be concerned with their selves or worry about what others think, but rather to fashion their lives around making God pleased. These people tend to be rare, even among the church. Jesus is saying that those are the ones who are going to have eternal life assured. There are others who say that Jesus is their Lord, but don't do what he asked them do do. They are not assured of eternal life according to the words of Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, you know the plans you have for us. Let us see the plans you have for our lives. Let our purpose be made apparent to us. Let us serve you with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength. In Jesus precious name.
Observation: In these passages Jesus concludes the sermon on the mount, perhaps the most profound section of scripture in the Bible. To conclude his teaching, he addresses the subject of Lordship. He identifies who groups who call him Lord, the first call him Lord but he doesn't know them, and the second call him Lord but don't do what he asked them to do. In Jesus' day, land was owned by Lords. The Lords controlled absolutely everything that went on in their land. Most everyone who "worked" for the Lord was his property. The servants of a Lord were at his mercy, if they displeased the Lord then he could punish them up to death according to his whim.
Application: We must determine who our spiritual master is. Is it God, ourselves, or someone or something else? You have to serve someone. Most people in America choose to serve themselves. That seems to be the default choice. Others become totally dependent on someone else, and they serve them. And there are a very few, who choose to not be concerned with their selves or worry about what others think, but rather to fashion their lives around making God pleased. These people tend to be rare, even among the church. Jesus is saying that those are the ones who are going to have eternal life assured. There are others who say that Jesus is their Lord, but don't do what he asked them do do. They are not assured of eternal life according to the words of Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, you know the plans you have for us. Let us see the plans you have for our lives. Let our purpose be made apparent to us. Let us serve you with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength. In Jesus precious name.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
All Roads Lead to ?
Scripture: Mat 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Observation: The words of Jesus are profound; they carry a weight and depth that none other do. God himself is speaking to us. In this verse, Jesus is telling it like it is. Not everyone is going to heaven, in fact most are not. We all wish that was not the case, but it is the reality. Some call us who believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven "Narrow Minded". In this case, that name is warranted... but for a reason. Jesus told us to be Narrow Minded. He said, Narrow is the way that leads to life. Later he told us "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the father except by me". There are other instances where Jesus told us not to be narrow minded. For instance, in the previous verse Jesus told us to do to others what we would have them do to us and that if we do that we fulfill all of the laws and rules of Christianity and Judaism. That is about as broad minded as you can get!
Application: If we then know that those who are not living for Jesus, how should it affect our lives? We need to tell those who are on the broad road about this narrow path that leads where they want to go. If we don't, we share the responsibility for their eternal destruction.
Prayer: Jesus, I pray that I would be empowered to tell others about you. I pray that I would share your love with them. I pray that they would see you in me, and be drawn to you. I pray that I would speak the words of life to them. Let it be so.
Observation: The words of Jesus are profound; they carry a weight and depth that none other do. God himself is speaking to us. In this verse, Jesus is telling it like it is. Not everyone is going to heaven, in fact most are not. We all wish that was not the case, but it is the reality. Some call us who believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven "Narrow Minded". In this case, that name is warranted... but for a reason. Jesus told us to be Narrow Minded. He said, Narrow is the way that leads to life. Later he told us "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the father except by me". There are other instances where Jesus told us not to be narrow minded. For instance, in the previous verse Jesus told us to do to others what we would have them do to us and that if we do that we fulfill all of the laws and rules of Christianity and Judaism. That is about as broad minded as you can get!
Application: If we then know that those who are not living for Jesus, how should it affect our lives? We need to tell those who are on the broad road about this narrow path that leads where they want to go. If we don't, we share the responsibility for their eternal destruction.
Prayer: Jesus, I pray that I would be empowered to tell others about you. I pray that I would share your love with them. I pray that they would see you in me, and be drawn to you. I pray that I would speak the words of life to them. Let it be so.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
The Golden Rule
Scripture: Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Observation: Most Americans have heard the Golden Rule many times. Most even know it is from the Bible. What I was struck with when reading this passage was the question "Why". Why should we do to others what we would have them do to us? We see one answer in the verse, because it is the law. Most of us try to drive the speed limit because it is the law, but if there were not police to enforce it I think fewer of us would actually drive the speed limit. So why? A good question to ask when looking at scripture is "what is the therefore there for"? The previous two messages in this tail end of the sermon on the mount are about the goodness of God, and receiving what we ask for. We should do good to others because our God is good, and he loves us. Jesus said, if you love me ... keep my commandments. Truly, if you don't love God, there isn't a good motivation to follow him. But if you do love God, you should love his people. Also, treating others poorly could inhibit our own relationship with God. The apostle John told us that if we don't love our brother, that we are in danger of eternal consequences.
Application: Following the Golden Rule should change our lives. We should become givers, and not takers. We should become lovers and not haters. We should become forgivers and not takers of vengeance. Perhaps no other scripture in the Bible has more practical application than this one.
Prayer: Dearest Jesus. Thank you for giving us your word. Thank you for the thousands who gave their lives to preserve your word for us today. Let us now so live as to honor you. Let us love those who hate us. Let us forgive those who hurt us. Let us give to those in need, and expect nothing in return. In Jesus Name we pray
Observation: Most Americans have heard the Golden Rule many times. Most even know it is from the Bible. What I was struck with when reading this passage was the question "Why". Why should we do to others what we would have them do to us? We see one answer in the verse, because it is the law. Most of us try to drive the speed limit because it is the law, but if there were not police to enforce it I think fewer of us would actually drive the speed limit. So why? A good question to ask when looking at scripture is "what is the therefore there for"? The previous two messages in this tail end of the sermon on the mount are about the goodness of God, and receiving what we ask for. We should do good to others because our God is good, and he loves us. Jesus said, if you love me ... keep my commandments. Truly, if you don't love God, there isn't a good motivation to follow him. But if you do love God, you should love his people. Also, treating others poorly could inhibit our own relationship with God. The apostle John told us that if we don't love our brother, that we are in danger of eternal consequences.
Application: Following the Golden Rule should change our lives. We should become givers, and not takers. We should become lovers and not haters. We should become forgivers and not takers of vengeance. Perhaps no other scripture in the Bible has more practical application than this one.
Prayer: Dearest Jesus. Thank you for giving us your word. Thank you for the thousands who gave their lives to preserve your word for us today. Let us now so live as to honor you. Let us love those who hate us. Let us forgive those who hurt us. Let us give to those in need, and expect nothing in return. In Jesus Name we pray
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Filled Full
Scripture: Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Observation: This is one of the most profound scriptures in the Bible. This is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which begins with the Beatitudes.. Blessed is the poor in spirit ..., then tells us to be Salty or full of Zest, then tells us that we should shine before men like a city on a hill. Now Jesus "drops the bomb". At this point in his message, we have to be in awe and wonder at the words of the Master. He tells us that he is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. The word fulfill in Greek means to cram something full. Literally "Fill Full". So Jesus filled the law full. He took what had become somewhat of shell, and stuffed it full. Certainly the Beatitudes did just that. And what Jesus teaches next really fills the law full and makes it complete. In remainder of Chapter 5 Jesus teaches things like: If the Law said you should not kill, I say that if you have anger at someone without cause that you are in danger of Judgement... and the law says don't commit adultery but Jesus teaches that if we look on someone with lust that we have already committed adultery. These teachings are certainly filling the law full. But there is more. Jesus WAS the fulfillment of the law. In fact Laws wouldn't make us right with God. It took Jesus. And when he has made you right with God, you really don't need to worry about the laws... you only need to worry about him. What we need, is to be "Filled Full" of him!
Application: We really don't need to worry about laws and rules and doo's and don't. We need to worry about whether we are filled full of Jesus. He wants to be with us. He wants to change us from flesh and bones into eternal beings that are filled with him. He wants to be with us in our Spirit.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I ask you to fill me with you. I don't want to live the way I am living any more. I want you. Cleanse me and fill me with you.
Observation: This is one of the most profound scriptures in the Bible. This is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which begins with the Beatitudes.. Blessed is the poor in spirit ..., then tells us to be Salty or full of Zest, then tells us that we should shine before men like a city on a hill. Now Jesus "drops the bomb". At this point in his message, we have to be in awe and wonder at the words of the Master. He tells us that he is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. The word fulfill in Greek means to cram something full. Literally "Fill Full". So Jesus filled the law full. He took what had become somewhat of shell, and stuffed it full. Certainly the Beatitudes did just that. And what Jesus teaches next really fills the law full and makes it complete. In remainder of Chapter 5 Jesus teaches things like: If the Law said you should not kill, I say that if you have anger at someone without cause that you are in danger of Judgement... and the law says don't commit adultery but Jesus teaches that if we look on someone with lust that we have already committed adultery. These teachings are certainly filling the law full. But there is more. Jesus WAS the fulfillment of the law. In fact Laws wouldn't make us right with God. It took Jesus. And when he has made you right with God, you really don't need to worry about the laws... you only need to worry about him. What we need, is to be "Filled Full" of him!
Application: We really don't need to worry about laws and rules and doo's and don't. We need to worry about whether we are filled full of Jesus. He wants to be with us. He wants to change us from flesh and bones into eternal beings that are filled with him. He wants to be with us in our Spirit.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I ask you to fill me with you. I don't want to live the way I am living any more. I want you. Cleanse me and fill me with you.
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