Israel often would fall away from God and by God’s grace be brought back to a time in which they followed God with their whole hearts. There’s two Psalms called Covenant Renewal Liturgies. One is this one and the other is Psalm 81. These Psalms are kind of like renewing of marriage vows. The covenant was never broken. It might have been hurt at times by the man and the wife not honoring each other, but in this time the couple is renewing their vows and committing to continuing on in everything they’ve promised for each other. Israel is doing this here. This happened pretty often and it’s awesome to see the Lord’s grace and continued plan to make these people a great nation as Psalm 46 and 48 also talk about. Religiosity is always an issue with Israel and in this passage God directly challenges it. He gives them a pretty stern warning in verse 22 and he says, “Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue.” Those are harsh words, but it reminds me of how much God hates religion without the heart involved.
This passage challenges me to think, what is it in my life that I’m doing for God that’s just religion, just to make myself look better in my own eyes, in the eyes of others. What am I doing that I’m thinking will satisfy God, or makes me feel better about myself, when the reality is, is that God knows my heart and that that religious thing that I’m doing, even if it’s a good thing, is so worthless without the heart. What are you doing today that’s religious, that’s probably a good thing and you should keep doing it, but you need to stop and confess to God that your heart has not been in it, and that you’re doing it now, not to make yourself look better, but to honor God. What sins in your life are you trying to cover up by religious practices so that you hope God won’t notice them? Let’s live out real faith today as Israel did in the renewal of their covenant with God.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Ring Ding.
Matthew Ch. 1-4. Very interesting read. I’m not going to break the whole thing down but ask you a few questions to get your mind rolling as you read this. Think or meditate on any that catch you mind.
First off consider this Joseph and Mary weren’t even married. Mary gets pregnant. What would you be thinking if you were Joseph? Odds are the same thing which is why he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Keep in mind that Mary was probably 14-16 years of age ish. Joseph just a hand full of years older then that.
What did the town of Bethlehem think of Jesus’s birth? God has just entered the world in the most fragile human state, an infant. Interesting.
Jesus being tempted in the desert. 40 day fast. What do you think of the commentary between Satan and Jesus? Look at the questions asked and the progression of Satan’s temptations. From this the strong pull is that Satan “believes in Jesus” and Satan knows scripture.
This is a sweet 4 chapters which will set up the Sermon on the Mount. Get geared up because this will be Cornerstone’s new teachings for the next few weeks.
Keep asking tough questions of the text with the state of mind to learn more. Onward and upward!
First off consider this Joseph and Mary weren’t even married. Mary gets pregnant. What would you be thinking if you were Joseph? Odds are the same thing which is why he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Keep in mind that Mary was probably 14-16 years of age ish. Joseph just a hand full of years older then that.
What did the town of Bethlehem think of Jesus’s birth? God has just entered the world in the most fragile human state, an infant. Interesting.
Jesus being tempted in the desert. 40 day fast. What do you think of the commentary between Satan and Jesus? Look at the questions asked and the progression of Satan’s temptations. From this the strong pull is that Satan “believes in Jesus” and Satan knows scripture.
This is a sweet 4 chapters which will set up the Sermon on the Mount. Get geared up because this will be Cornerstone’s new teachings for the next few weeks.
Keep asking tough questions of the text with the state of mind to learn more. Onward and upward!
What Does Ingoble Mean, Anyway?
Okay, all I have to say is that Days 2 and 3 of Spiritual Intensity Week rocked! They were awesome! Meditating on God's word was SO good, and then using imaginiative prayers was amazing! How sweet to picture in your head what you are asking God to do! If you didn't attend those days, be sure to talk with someone who did. SWEET.
Anyway, back to 2 Timothy. That books is great, just ask my buddy Janelle who just memorized the whole thing! :) But, what stuck out to me this morning was in chapter 2, vs. 20-22. Its says, "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." I was thinking I got the gist - cleanse myself from ignoble stuff and flee evil desires, so that I'll be useful to the Lord. But then wondered what in the world "ignoble" actually meant. Dictionary.com says, "of low character, of low grade or quality; inferior." That was challenging, because Paul's not just exhorting us to get rid of evil and sin in our lives, but also those things which aren't wrong in and of themselves, but also aren't honorable and beneficial. That raises the stakes a whole lot more.
And why do we need to cleanse ourselves of inferior activities, thoughts, motives, etc? So that we will be useful to our Master! I don't know about you, but I don't want any inferior thing in my life hinder my service to Christ. Lord, please show me what those ignoble things are! Open my eyes to see them, so that I can be cleansed, made holy, and useful to you.
The cool thing is that when we are cleansed from ignoble purposes, have fled the evil desires of youth, and have pursued righteousness, faith, love and peace along with others, we will be able to stand before our Master with confidence and say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (4:7) And, we will be able to know that, "Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day." (4:8) Amen.
Anyway, back to 2 Timothy. That books is great, just ask my buddy Janelle who just memorized the whole thing! :) But, what stuck out to me this morning was in chapter 2, vs. 20-22. Its says, "In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." I was thinking I got the gist - cleanse myself from ignoble stuff and flee evil desires, so that I'll be useful to the Lord. But then wondered what in the world "ignoble" actually meant. Dictionary.com says, "of low character, of low grade or quality; inferior." That was challenging, because Paul's not just exhorting us to get rid of evil and sin in our lives, but also those things which aren't wrong in and of themselves, but also aren't honorable and beneficial. That raises the stakes a whole lot more.
And why do we need to cleanse ourselves of inferior activities, thoughts, motives, etc? So that we will be useful to our Master! I don't know about you, but I don't want any inferior thing in my life hinder my service to Christ. Lord, please show me what those ignoble things are! Open my eyes to see them, so that I can be cleansed, made holy, and useful to you.
The cool thing is that when we are cleansed from ignoble purposes, have fled the evil desires of youth, and have pursued righteousness, faith, love and peace along with others, we will be able to stand before our Master with confidence and say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (4:7) And, we will be able to know that, "Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day." (4:8) Amen.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Freedom!
Here's one reason (among many) I'm happy to be in Christ: Freedom!
That's why it's tough to beat a book like Galatians.
There's a theological consideration that I kept in mind as I read. The idea of justification that most of us have in our minds is the penal substitution of Christ- that he took our place on the cross and purchased our righteousness by his life, death and resurrection. True enough.
However, my friend challenged me to think of "justification" in a new way- less as Jesus substitutionary atonement and more as being included in the family of God. So it made for an interesting read.
The difference may seem subtle, but the consequences are greater than you might think. What is the primary meaning of what it means to be justified? Is it forgiveness of sins? OR Is it to include me in his family?
Hmmm... Great coffee shop discussion.
One thing is clear: I'm glad I'm free to be led by the Spirit and not a rule bound legalist.
That's why it's tough to beat a book like Galatians.
There's a theological consideration that I kept in mind as I read. The idea of justification that most of us have in our minds is the penal substitution of Christ- that he took our place on the cross and purchased our righteousness by his life, death and resurrection. True enough.
However, my friend challenged me to think of "justification" in a new way- less as Jesus substitutionary atonement and more as being included in the family of God. So it made for an interesting read.
The difference may seem subtle, but the consequences are greater than you might think. What is the primary meaning of what it means to be justified? Is it forgiveness of sins? OR Is it to include me in his family?
Hmmm... Great coffee shop discussion.
One thing is clear: I'm glad I'm free to be led by the Spirit and not a rule bound legalist.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Psalm 73 - The Lord is my Strength
This morning when attending the TSC Spiritual Intensity devo in the MU, and I was reading through Psalm 73 and was struck by verses 23-28. It says - I am always with you, you hold me by my right hand, guide me into your cousel, and afterward you take me into your glory. Thinking about this, I was overwhelmed by the love God has for me, not only is He with me, guiding me, but if that's not enough He plans to take me into glory - what a sweet promise the Lord give us!
Verse 26 states - my flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and portion forever...I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I have read this verses before, but this time I was hit with the reality that far too often I do things on my own strength or willpower. Whether it is my day to day activities, fighting sin, or even sharing Christ with someone, I try to muster up enough "whatever" in me, to stand firm, when really my strength is to be found in Christ, and He desires that I continually take refuge in Him. Do you have things in your life that you are doing on your own strength?
Lord, I want to be continually depending on you for all things - apart from you Lord, we can do nothing. Help me see how you pour out our love for me day and after day, that I would respond rightly by worshipping and obeying what you command of me. Thank you that you give us your Holy Spirit to guide our ways, that we would be found in the likeness of you. May we see for who you are, that we would ever be changed!
Verse 26 states - my flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and portion forever...I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I have read this verses before, but this time I was hit with the reality that far too often I do things on my own strength or willpower. Whether it is my day to day activities, fighting sin, or even sharing Christ with someone, I try to muster up enough "whatever" in me, to stand firm, when really my strength is to be found in Christ, and He desires that I continually take refuge in Him. Do you have things in your life that you are doing on your own strength?
Lord, I want to be continually depending on you for all things - apart from you Lord, we can do nothing. Help me see how you pour out our love for me day and after day, that I would respond rightly by worshipping and obeying what you command of me. Thank you that you give us your Holy Spirit to guide our ways, that we would be found in the likeness of you. May we see for who you are, that we would ever be changed!
Monday, February 18, 2008
The Law Leads to Christ...(Feb. 18, Galatians 1-3)
Scripture - 3:24-25 - Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Observations - This verse made me praise God and his perfect plan. This verse says that the Law was a tutor leading us to Christ. This verse seems to be communicating that the Law was a way for humanity to understand their depravity. Christ wouldn't seem necessary if people didn't have a standard put in place (the Law) to fall short of. Because the Law was so burdensome, it makes sense that chapter 5 of Galations would begin with "it is for freedom that Christ set us free." It's a wonder why the Galation Jews wouldn't want the yoke lifted.
Application - My understanding of the the Old Testament Law and how bad I fall short of God's standard will magnify Christ. Therefore my application is to continue to study the Law and praise God that I have been set free from its daunting demands.
Prayer - Father thank you for revealing to me some mysteries about your plan through your apostle Paul. Thank your for setting me free from the Law through the truth of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. I thank you in Jesus' name.
Observations - This verse made me praise God and his perfect plan. This verse says that the Law was a tutor leading us to Christ. This verse seems to be communicating that the Law was a way for humanity to understand their depravity. Christ wouldn't seem necessary if people didn't have a standard put in place (the Law) to fall short of. Because the Law was so burdensome, it makes sense that chapter 5 of Galations would begin with "it is for freedom that Christ set us free." It's a wonder why the Galation Jews wouldn't want the yoke lifted.
Application - My understanding of the the Old Testament Law and how bad I fall short of God's standard will magnify Christ. Therefore my application is to continue to study the Law and praise God that I have been set free from its daunting demands.
Prayer - Father thank you for revealing to me some mysteries about your plan through your apostle Paul. Thank your for setting me free from the Law through the truth of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. I thank you in Jesus' name.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Intro to Galatians
Purpose – To refute the Judaizers (who taught that Gentile believers must obey the Jewish law in order to be saved), and to call Christians to faith and freedom in Christ
Author – Paul
To Whom Written – The churches in southern Galatia found on Paul’s first missionary journey (including Iconium, Lystra, Derbe), and Christians everywhere
Date Written – About A.D. 49, from Antioch, prior to the Jerusalem council (A.D. 50). Written at the end of Acts 14 and the beginning of Acts 15
Author – Paul
To Whom Written – The churches in southern Galatia found on Paul’s first missionary journey (including Iconium, Lystra, Derbe), and Christians everywhere
Date Written – About A.D. 49, from Antioch, prior to the Jerusalem council (A.D. 50). Written at the end of Acts 14 and the beginning of Acts 15
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