Leviticus 26-27, Mark 2 (Message)
As part of today's reading, we imagined the sights, sounds and smells of the story of the paraplegic man. How did it feel to be picked out by Jesus? Was the man overjoyed at his sins being forgiven? What took more faith, to believe that his sins were forgiven, or to be healed? What did the paraplegic experience at the forgiveness of his sins? Did that experience help him receive his healing?
I've often feared that I would have been one of the religious zealots who would not have recognized Christ. Maybe in my zeal for God, I would have even condemned Him, thinking that He was stealing glory from God. But the sin of the Pharisees is that they were not looking for the Messiah. If they were, wouldn't they have at least considered Jesus? They were no longer searching the heart or face of God. The paraplegic however, was satisfied with his sins being forgiven. He was seeking God's face. In response, he received the both the face and the hand of God.
Are we looking for our coming king? Or are we satisfied with the things of this world? Are we waiting and hoping for Him so that we can seek His face and fellowship with Him, or are we seeking His hand so that we can live better lives here?
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Excellence Plus Intervention Equals Success
February 4, 2010
Genesis 41-42; Matthew 12:1-23
As our family has read the story of Joseph it has occurred to me that God didn't just magically change Joseph's position. It came through excellence and the wisdom God gave him to interpret dreams. The excellence came from hard work on Joseph's part. The favor probably came in all actually mostly from the excellent work ethic of Joseph. The divine part, however, was Joseph's ability to interpret dreams. Both the works of Joseph and the faith of Joseph got him promoted.
What works have you displayed in order to receive favor in your life? Faith without works is dead. If Joseph had been a lousy worker, no one would have paid attention to his dreams.
Genesis 41-42; Matthew 12:1-23
As our family has read the story of Joseph it has occurred to me that God didn't just magically change Joseph's position. It came through excellence and the wisdom God gave him to interpret dreams. The excellence came from hard work on Joseph's part. The favor probably came in all actually mostly from the excellent work ethic of Joseph. The divine part, however, was Joseph's ability to interpret dreams. Both the works of Joseph and the faith of Joseph got him promoted.
What works have you displayed in order to receive favor in your life? Faith without works is dead. If Joseph had been a lousy worker, no one would have paid attention to his dreams.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Are you tired? Worn out? Burnt out on religion?
February 3, 2010
Genesis 39-40; Matthew 11
Have you ever thought that it was to hard to follow Christ? He promises that it is not! We only grow tired when we allow our relationship with God to become routine. Marriage is hard when we allow it to become routine. Relationships are difficult when we allow them to become mundane.
But how do we keep vibrant and alive relationships? "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Was is difficult for Jesus to live for His Father? No, because He lived (and died) to please the Father, not Himself. We can live freely and lightly when we live only to please our Father. The things which cause frustration and irritation melt away. After all, are they things that really matter anyway? Even if they are, can you imagine Jesus or God getting upset at the things we do?
If you are tired and worn out, take a look at how Jesus did what He did and endeavor to copy His behavior. Spend time with Him. You'll feel as light as a feather.
Genesis 39-40; Matthew 11
Have you ever thought that it was to hard to follow Christ? He promises that it is not! We only grow tired when we allow our relationship with God to become routine. Marriage is hard when we allow it to become routine. Relationships are difficult when we allow them to become mundane.
But how do we keep vibrant and alive relationships? "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Was is difficult for Jesus to live for His Father? No, because He lived (and died) to please the Father, not Himself. We can live freely and lightly when we live only to please our Father. The things which cause frustration and irritation melt away. After all, are they things that really matter anyway? Even if they are, can you imagine Jesus or God getting upset at the things we do?
If you are tired and worn out, take a look at how Jesus did what He did and endeavor to copy His behavior. Spend time with Him. You'll feel as light as a feather.
Finding yourself
February 2, 2010
Genesis 36-38; Matthew 10:21-42
It is a very common feeling for teens, and for that matter all of us, to feel as though we haven't "found ourselves". The Message Bible says, "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me."
It is quite the paradox. We find ourselves when we lose ourselves. When we lose our identity in Christ and chose to entirely identify with Him, that is when we truly find ourselves. Not when we discover our destiny, or when we find our major for college, or when we determine our occupation.
How do we do this? When we seek first His kingdom, we set aside our desires. Our greatest desire is to please the Father - more than anything we could want. Determine to lose yourself in Christ, not just today, but everyday. You will find your determined purpose in this practice!
From the kids
Joy couldn't believe how dumb Joseph was to share his dream with his brothers, until I reminded her how often she says things that are imprudent!
Genesis 36-38; Matthew 10:21-42
It is a very common feeling for teens, and for that matter all of us, to feel as though we haven't "found ourselves". The Message Bible says, "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me."
It is quite the paradox. We find ourselves when we lose ourselves. When we lose our identity in Christ and chose to entirely identify with Him, that is when we truly find ourselves. Not when we discover our destiny, or when we find our major for college, or when we determine our occupation.
How do we do this? When we seek first His kingdom, we set aside our desires. Our greatest desire is to please the Father - more than anything we could want. Determine to lose yourself in Christ, not just today, but everyday. You will find your determined purpose in this practice!
From the kids
Joy couldn't believe how dumb Joseph was to share his dream with his brothers, until I reminded her how often she says things that are imprudent!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
A Life of Jealousy
January 27, 2010
Genesis 29-30
There must have been no peace in Jacob's home! I suppose he kind of deserved it after all of the grieve he caused in his own home.
Leah and Rachel are competing about everything. They compete for the love of Jacob. They compete for how many children they can have. At one point they even compete for who can spend a night with Jacob. Sibling rivalry can be an ugly thing. How much different would it have been if these two sisters dwelt together in peace and love?
How peaceful has your home been lately? Has there been a trivial spirit of competition? If so, determine not to allow that spirit to dominate your home.
From the kids
Joy says that this is the reason polygamy doesn't work. :)
Alex says that no one could be that oblivious to not know who you were sleeping with until morning!
Genesis 29-30
There must have been no peace in Jacob's home! I suppose he kind of deserved it after all of the grieve he caused in his own home.
Leah and Rachel are competing about everything. They compete for the love of Jacob. They compete for how many children they can have. At one point they even compete for who can spend a night with Jacob. Sibling rivalry can be an ugly thing. How much different would it have been if these two sisters dwelt together in peace and love?
How peaceful has your home been lately? Has there been a trivial spirit of competition? If so, determine not to allow that spirit to dominate your home.
From the kids
Joy says that this is the reason polygamy doesn't work. :)
Alex says that no one could be that oblivious to not know who you were sleeping with until morning!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
God if You....Then I'll
January 26, 2010
Genesis 27-28
Jacob comes from a long line of deceivers. It started in a small way with Abraham. Abraham lied about Sarah twice in order to save his own life, saying that she was his sister. Isaac, his son, does the same thing with Rebekah. Jacob tricked Esau from his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup. Rebekah and Jacob trick Isaac into giving him Esau's blessing.
Now Jacob tries to finagle a deal with God. He says God if you'll bless me on my journey then I'll serve you as God. God does bless him in many ways, but I think He was not satisfied with this arrangement as a final relationship with Jacob.
Have you tried to make a deal with God? Is your attitude, God if you do this, I'll do that? If so, repent and change your heart today. God was dissatisfied with this arrangement with Jacob, and certainly He is with you as well.
Genesis 27-28
Jacob comes from a long line of deceivers. It started in a small way with Abraham. Abraham lied about Sarah twice in order to save his own life, saying that she was his sister. Isaac, his son, does the same thing with Rebekah. Jacob tricked Esau from his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup. Rebekah and Jacob trick Isaac into giving him Esau's blessing.
Now Jacob tries to finagle a deal with God. He says God if you'll bless me on my journey then I'll serve you as God. God does bless him in many ways, but I think He was not satisfied with this arrangement as a final relationship with Jacob.
Have you tried to make a deal with God? Is your attitude, God if you do this, I'll do that? If so, repent and change your heart today. God was dissatisfied with this arrangement with Jacob, and certainly He is with you as well.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Become What You Believe
January 22, 2010
Genesis 25-26; Psalm 7:6-8; Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 9:18-38
After praising the woman with the issue of blood, Jesus meets some blind men on the way. He asks them, "Do you really believe I can do this?" (referring to healing them). They reply yes! Jesus says, according to the Message Bible, "Become what you believe."
All the pressure was then on their faith. Not on what Jesus could or would do for them. We have all become what we believe. If we believe we are no good, we've become no good. If we believe we are useful, we've become useful.
The key is to change what we believe. I wonder how the blind men changed their beliefs. Was it because of hearing all of the testimonies? Was it because of Jesus' words?
We can change what we believe so that we produce different results too. Surround yourself with testimonies of how good the Lord has been. Read God's Word. Faith comes by hearing God's Word. After changing what you believe to what God wants us to believe, then you will become what you believe!!
From the kids
We all wondered if King Abimilech was suspicious regarding Rebecca since his father had done the same thing with Sarah
Joy thought it was funny because the Message Bible reads that they were bringing casseroles! :)
Genesis 25-26; Psalm 7:6-8; Proverbs 3:9-10; Matthew 9:18-38
After praising the woman with the issue of blood, Jesus meets some blind men on the way. He asks them, "Do you really believe I can do this?" (referring to healing them). They reply yes! Jesus says, according to the Message Bible, "Become what you believe."
All the pressure was then on their faith. Not on what Jesus could or would do for them. We have all become what we believe. If we believe we are no good, we've become no good. If we believe we are useful, we've become useful.
The key is to change what we believe. I wonder how the blind men changed their beliefs. Was it because of hearing all of the testimonies? Was it because of Jesus' words?
We can change what we believe so that we produce different results too. Surround yourself with testimonies of how good the Lord has been. Read God's Word. Faith comes by hearing God's Word. After changing what you believe to what God wants us to believe, then you will become what you believe!!
From the kids
We all wondered if King Abimilech was suspicious regarding Rebecca since his father had done the same thing with Sarah
Joy thought it was funny because the Message Bible reads that they were bringing casseroles! :)
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