Today's Passage: Luke 22
If you are like me, then you have been thinking about Brett's sermon all week. If you missed it, you should listen to it online here. He preached from the parallel passage in John of Luke 22. He made the point that Judas and Peter when they chose to betray Jesus, were actually choosing to side with the enemy. Wow. Talk about a cut right through the heart!
But honestly....do we take sin that seriously? Do we actually think about it being our betrayal of Jesus? Judas knew exactly what he was doing. Luke 22 tells us that he actually sought out the chief priests and officers of the temple to discuss how he would betray Jesus for some money. When I have a desire to gossip, for example, this is a decision that I make before it leaves my mouth. When that temptation comes, is the thought I have, "Yes, I choose to betray Jesus." No. But how sad is it when any sin faces us that we don't take it that seriously? We do what we want and then ask the Lord to forgive us, which He has and will, of course!
Later in verses 39-46, Jesus tells his disciples to pray so that they will not fall into temptation. Will you join me this week in praying that we will not fall into temptation? Oh yes, it will be all around us, but let's pray together for ourselves and for each other that we do not fall into the temptation. Let us NOT side with the enemy and choose each day, in each tempting moment to CHOOSE to side with Jesus!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Today's Passage: 1 Kings 19-20
Today we find Elijah at the end of his rope. He has just witnessed God reveal Himself in mighty ways, and yet he has given up hope. He feels that he is alone in his endeavors and ill-equipped to handle the pressure closing in on him. While few of us have ever had the experience of fleeing from a murderous queen (or maybe you have, I don't know), most of us have experienced stress, exhaustion, and the feeling that everything that could possibly go wrong...has.
The Lord's response to Elijah should encourage, strengthen, and thrill us. He sent an angel to him, fed him, and appeared to him...not in the mountain-shattering wind, the earthquake, or the burning fire...but in a gentle whisper. And after allowing Elijah to share his struggles again, the gentle whisper shared good news. Isn't that what we need sometimes? When we're tired, stressed, and at the end of our ropes, it is such a relief to share those struggles with God and be reminded that we're not alone and He has equipped us for that to which He's called us. I encourage you to bask in his presence the next time you're in a "broom tree" kind of place.
Today we find Elijah at the end of his rope. He has just witnessed God reveal Himself in mighty ways, and yet he has given up hope. He feels that he is alone in his endeavors and ill-equipped to handle the pressure closing in on him. While few of us have ever had the experience of fleeing from a murderous queen (or maybe you have, I don't know), most of us have experienced stress, exhaustion, and the feeling that everything that could possibly go wrong...has.
The Lord's response to Elijah should encourage, strengthen, and thrill us. He sent an angel to him, fed him, and appeared to him...not in the mountain-shattering wind, the earthquake, or the burning fire...but in a gentle whisper. And after allowing Elijah to share his struggles again, the gentle whisper shared good news. Isn't that what we need sometimes? When we're tired, stressed, and at the end of our ropes, it is such a relief to share those struggles with God and be reminded that we're not alone and He has equipped us for that to which He's called us. I encourage you to bask in his presence the next time you're in a "broom tree" kind of place.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Today's Passage: 1 Kings 17-18
Have you ever just stopped what you are doing and reflected upon your life? Sometimes for me this can be intentional reflection or possibly something I just stumbled on to. As a Christian, one of the first things I ask myself is, "Am I following God with all my heart?" I follow that question with, "Do my actions reflect the love of Christ throughout my daily life?" I desire to answer yes to both of these questions, and I am assuming that most reading this feel the same way.
Because of his actions, the widow said concerning Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God... (17:24)" Every believer is a living representation of the gospel. How well then do we represent the gospel? Do we show the power, peace, joy, and love of the gospel each day? I think many of us desire this lifestyle, but we often seem to get derailed from this goal.
This generally happens as a large amount of focus is placed on myself, rather than focusing on heavenly things (using the apostle Paul's language). We have the opportunity to wake up every morning and praise God for His majesty. We should do this with specific prayers of confession that are accompanied by intercession for others. We should intentionally seek to show love to others that we come into contact with on a daily basis. Finally, we should make ourselves available to God by being willing to share the gospel at any time. Although I am an imperfect person, hopefully at the conclusion of each day people can say, "Now we know Ethan is a man of God."
Have you ever just stopped what you are doing and reflected upon your life? Sometimes for me this can be intentional reflection or possibly something I just stumbled on to. As a Christian, one of the first things I ask myself is, "Am I following God with all my heart?" I follow that question with, "Do my actions reflect the love of Christ throughout my daily life?" I desire to answer yes to both of these questions, and I am assuming that most reading this feel the same way.
Because of his actions, the widow said concerning Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God... (17:24)" Every believer is a living representation of the gospel. How well then do we represent the gospel? Do we show the power, peace, joy, and love of the gospel each day? I think many of us desire this lifestyle, but we often seem to get derailed from this goal.
This generally happens as a large amount of focus is placed on myself, rather than focusing on heavenly things (using the apostle Paul's language). We have the opportunity to wake up every morning and praise God for His majesty. We should do this with specific prayers of confession that are accompanied by intercession for others. We should intentionally seek to show love to others that we come into contact with on a daily basis. Finally, we should make ourselves available to God by being willing to share the gospel at any time. Although I am an imperfect person, hopefully at the conclusion of each day people can say, "Now we know Ethan is a man of God."
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Today's Passage: 1 Kings 15-16
I love the way God raised Asa up to be King of Judah. I am currently reading the book Visionary Parenting by Dr. Rob Rienow. In it he talks a lot about building a spiritual legacy for your own family and this passage reminds me of how important that is.
Track with me, Asa had a father and grandfather that lived their lives in clear disobedience to God. Yet God blesses Asa's father with a son that was completely committed to bringing glory to God. The part that I thought was so cool about this passage is the reason why God chose to place Asa in that position... Because of his forefather David's actions! God said he placed Asa there to succeed David because of David's obedience to God.
This passage reiterates how if we are willing to be faithful in living a godly life and raising godly children that God will have our families back for generations to come. Even if ,heaven forbid, a generation or two fall away from Him.
Let us love God while learning to know Him better, and make Him know by sharing that love and knowledge. That is our One Purpose.
I love the way God raised Asa up to be King of Judah. I am currently reading the book Visionary Parenting by Dr. Rob Rienow. In it he talks a lot about building a spiritual legacy for your own family and this passage reminds me of how important that is.
Track with me, Asa had a father and grandfather that lived their lives in clear disobedience to God. Yet God blesses Asa's father with a son that was completely committed to bringing glory to God. The part that I thought was so cool about this passage is the reason why God chose to place Asa in that position... Because of his forefather David's actions! God said he placed Asa there to succeed David because of David's obedience to God.
This passage reiterates how if we are willing to be faithful in living a godly life and raising godly children that God will have our families back for generations to come. Even if ,heaven forbid, a generation or two fall away from Him.
Let us love God while learning to know Him better, and make Him know by sharing that love and knowledge. That is our One Purpose.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Today's Passage: Luke 21
In the opening verses, Jesus observes a poor woman among the rich giving their offerings. If you are familiar with this story, then you know that she gave more than all the rich put together. Why? Jesus noted she gave out of her poverty, all that she had; the rich were giving out of their surplus. Jesus was teaching a principle that He would demonstrate in a few chapters. He would give his body and blood (HIS ALL) so that we could be reconciled to God.
Have we ever given to that extreme? Most of us have probably not, being that we live in the most prosperous nation in the world. However, the impact of this message is not limited to material things. Have we given Christ all of our hearts? Are we hiding some sections of our life from His light and Lordship? The emphasis doesn't fall on the physical action of giving material things. The emphasis is on the condition of the heart. If we are fully given over to Jesus in our hearts, then that will flow out of us through things like giving and serving. This is why the widow gave-- it was in her heart to do so!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday, September 26
Today's Passage: 1 Kings 13-14
Who, or what, do you trust? Stop for a second and think about the things that you would not question. Are their people that you would believe without a second thought? What about the media...do you believe everything you read or see on television? What about the government? In this day and age, we've been raised to question everything...there are only a few, select people that we would believe no matter what they say.
In our story today, we see a man of God who is trusting in the Word of the Lord...do not eat or drink in Bethel! Even when the king says, "come to my house and eat", he declines. But his downfall comes when he believes the word of another "prophet" who lies about his own word from God. Instead of listening to God himself, he trusts an untrustworthy person and heads down the road to an unhappy meeting with a lion.
We know we can trust the word of God. We know that the Bible contains truth that is everlasting. We know God will always stay true. That's why it is so important that we are personally seeking God's word every day! We need to hear His truth, not just the rehashing of truth from others. We need to be able to test what we hear and compare it to the truth that will not change! History is full of people who trusted someone else's interpretation of truth and met an untimely demise...not just this story! Are you seeking God's truth and following it above all else?
Who, or what, do you trust? Stop for a second and think about the things that you would not question. Are their people that you would believe without a second thought? What about the media...do you believe everything you read or see on television? What about the government? In this day and age, we've been raised to question everything...there are only a few, select people that we would believe no matter what they say.
In our story today, we see a man of God who is trusting in the Word of the Lord...do not eat or drink in Bethel! Even when the king says, "come to my house and eat", he declines. But his downfall comes when he believes the word of another "prophet" who lies about his own word from God. Instead of listening to God himself, he trusts an untrustworthy person and heads down the road to an unhappy meeting with a lion.
We know we can trust the word of God. We know that the Bible contains truth that is everlasting. We know God will always stay true. That's why it is so important that we are personally seeking God's word every day! We need to hear His truth, not just the rehashing of truth from others. We need to be able to test what we hear and compare it to the truth that will not change! History is full of people who trusted someone else's interpretation of truth and met an untimely demise...not just this story! Are you seeking God's truth and following it above all else?
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Today's Passage: 1 Kings 11-12
How pure is pure? Does something have to be 100% pure to be pure, or would we say that if something is mostly pure it should count? According to the FDA, the following is considered to be "pure"...that is, fit for consumption. (If you are eating while reading, you might want to stop one or the other right about now.)
* Chocolate: Up to 60 insect parts or one rodent hair per 100 grams.
* Canned Juice: 1 maggot for every 250 ml
* Peanut Butter: Up to 30 insect parts for every 100 grams.
* Wheat flour: Up to 75 insect parts for every 50 grams.
This is just a very small sample...there are things on this list I just don't want to think about very long. The FDA has said that complete purity cannot be a realistic standard, so mostly pure must do.
God, however, does not have that standard. Solomon did mostly amazing things for God, but in one area he failed Him. He married women who worshiped other gods, and slowly that eroded his relationship with the True God. He even began to build places of worship for these gods...this from the man who built the temple! A little imperfection slowly builds into a great sin that will cause the kingdom to be ripped apart.
God wants all of us...100% purity, 100% devotion. When we give him less, we allow that relationship to be eroded from the inside out. While we know we will stumble in sin, we must be constantly on guard that we are not letting any sin take a foothold. As with Solomon, there will be consequences!
How pure is pure? Does something have to be 100% pure to be pure, or would we say that if something is mostly pure it should count? According to the FDA, the following is considered to be "pure"...that is, fit for consumption. (If you are eating while reading, you might want to stop one or the other right about now.)
* Chocolate: Up to 60 insect parts or one rodent hair per 100 grams.
* Canned Juice: 1 maggot for every 250 ml
* Peanut Butter: Up to 30 insect parts for every 100 grams.
* Wheat flour: Up to 75 insect parts for every 50 grams.
This is just a very small sample...there are things on this list I just don't want to think about very long. The FDA has said that complete purity cannot be a realistic standard, so mostly pure must do.
God, however, does not have that standard. Solomon did mostly amazing things for God, but in one area he failed Him. He married women who worshiped other gods, and slowly that eroded his relationship with the True God. He even began to build places of worship for these gods...this from the man who built the temple! A little imperfection slowly builds into a great sin that will cause the kingdom to be ripped apart.
God wants all of us...100% purity, 100% devotion. When we give him less, we allow that relationship to be eroded from the inside out. While we know we will stumble in sin, we must be constantly on guard that we are not letting any sin take a foothold. As with Solomon, there will be consequences!
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