Luke 7:37-38
And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
It was probably the norm for this woman to be scorned by the Pharisees, to be looked down upon as an inferior. I'm sure when she'd see them on the street she would turn and walk the other way to avoid their judgmental looks. But Jesus. She knew He was somebody unlike any of them. She was drawn to Him even though it meant the humiliation of going into the house of one who had contempt for her.
There she was, behind Jesus, weeping. Not just a tear here or there. Weeping. Tears flowing in such an amount that she could wash Jesus' feet with them. She wasn't there to discuss theological issues. Her motivation wasn't to impress Jesus. But Jesus, He made an impression on her. He touched her heart to such an extent that she tuned everything out except for serving Jesus. And this was even before Jesus uttered the words to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
She didn't have all the schooling or training in the scriptures that the Pharisees did. But she recognized who Jesus was. How do I see Jesus? I get so locked up in trying to figure out all the theology of things and how I think it all works. Perhaps I need to just be in Jesus presence, weep at His feet and love Him in every way I can because of who He is and how undeserving I am of the forgiveness He offers.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Genesis 15-17; Luke 6
Genesis 15:6
And he (Abram) believed in the Lord, and He (the Lord) accounted it to him (Abram) for righteousness.
Abram, later renamed Abraham, didn't ask for a sign. He didn't require God's signature on a receipt. He just believed in the Lord and His promise. And this doesn't say Abram believed AND sacrificed before God accounted it to him as righteousness. Abram believed and God considered him righteous based on his faith.
I'm not going down the whole faith/works path here. I do believe one's works, how they live, reflect the faith or lack there of. But this simple verse says the belief resulted in the acounting of righteousness towards Abram. Oh, and after this Abram did make a few blunders trying to help God out in keeping His promise so it's not like Abram was perfect. It seems sometimes our actions, our works aren't the best way to show our faith. We need to trust God's timing for fulfilling His promises even when we completely believe He'll keep His word.
I need to learn how to wait better. You know how sometimes when you are driving across town and there seems to be some very slow traffic ahead. Sometimes you'll take an exit and drive fifteen minutes out of your way to avoid waiting in crawling traffic for five minutes just because you want to keep moving, to feel like you are at least getting somewhere. I really believe God has something in store for my future. It's very tempting to take an exit and try to find my own way to that destination when I feel like I'm just crawling along in traffic.
And he (Abram) believed in the Lord, and He (the Lord) accounted it to him (Abram) for righteousness.
Abram, later renamed Abraham, didn't ask for a sign. He didn't require God's signature on a receipt. He just believed in the Lord and His promise. And this doesn't say Abram believed AND sacrificed before God accounted it to him as righteousness. Abram believed and God considered him righteous based on his faith.
I'm not going down the whole faith/works path here. I do believe one's works, how they live, reflect the faith or lack there of. But this simple verse says the belief resulted in the acounting of righteousness towards Abram. Oh, and after this Abram did make a few blunders trying to help God out in keeping His promise so it's not like Abram was perfect. It seems sometimes our actions, our works aren't the best way to show our faith. We need to trust God's timing for fulfilling His promises even when we completely believe He'll keep His word.
I need to learn how to wait better. You know how sometimes when you are driving across town and there seems to be some very slow traffic ahead. Sometimes you'll take an exit and drive fifteen minutes out of your way to avoid waiting in crawling traffic for five minutes just because you want to keep moving, to feel like you are at least getting somewhere. I really believe God has something in store for my future. It's very tempting to take an exit and try to find my own way to that destination when I feel like I'm just crawling along in traffic.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Genesis 12-14; Luke 5
Luke 5:4-5
When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch."
Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets."
At this point, Simon Peter hadn't even started to follow Jesus. He just let Jesus use his boat from which He spoke to the crowd. I wonder what Jesus was saying that made Simon respond, "Master,... because You say so..." Especially when he had spent a hard night working with no results.
I'm usually too proud, too smart, too self-confident to do something just because somebody says so. Don't "they" say insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results? Simon and company probably cast their nets a number of times in the night and hauled up nothing. Yet, Jesus says cast them again so he does. They caught more than they could handle. And then they left everything and followed Jesus.
This time I'm spending cracking open my Bible each day is the pushing the boat out and listening to Jesus teach from it. Oh that I would have ears that will hear what Jesus is teaching and a heart that is tender enough so when it's time for my nets to be cast that I will respond, "because You say so, I will..." without question. I need to stop my tendency of "leaning on my own understanding" and just trust God and obey.
When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch."
Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets."
At this point, Simon Peter hadn't even started to follow Jesus. He just let Jesus use his boat from which He spoke to the crowd. I wonder what Jesus was saying that made Simon respond, "Master,... because You say so..." Especially when he had spent a hard night working with no results.
I'm usually too proud, too smart, too self-confident to do something just because somebody says so. Don't "they" say insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results? Simon and company probably cast their nets a number of times in the night and hauled up nothing. Yet, Jesus says cast them again so he does. They caught more than they could handle. And then they left everything and followed Jesus.
This time I'm spending cracking open my Bible each day is the pushing the boat out and listening to Jesus teach from it. Oh that I would have ears that will hear what Jesus is teaching and a heart that is tender enough so when it's time for my nets to be cast that I will respond, "because You say so, I will..." without question. I need to stop my tendency of "leaning on my own understanding" and just trust God and obey.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Genesis 9-11; Luke 4
Luke 4:13
Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
Jesus faced the devil's temptations and won. Though defeated, the devil didn't give up. He just waited for an opportune time. This is why I must always be on my guard. I can't just win one battle and then think that's it. For our adversary hasn't stopped doing his evil deeds. He's just waiting for an opportune time. He is the lion searching for one whom he can devour. I must be vigilant and not even give him an opportunity, a foothold that would let his temptations pull me away.
Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
Jesus faced the devil's temptations and won. Though defeated, the devil didn't give up. He just waited for an opportune time. This is why I must always be on my guard. I can't just win one battle and then think that's it. For our adversary hasn't stopped doing his evil deeds. He's just waiting for an opportune time. He is the lion searching for one whom he can devour. I must be vigilant and not even give him an opportunity, a foothold that would let his temptations pull me away.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Genesis 6-8; Luke 3
Genesis 6:5 & 8
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Noah wasn't sinless. He faced the same battles I face today of fighting not only the corrupt culture of depravity around him, but also the inner battle of wanting to live justly but having a wicked, evil sin nature. The passage doesn't say what specific things Noah did to have God grant him grace. Only that he was righteous before God.
But even though God gave grace to Noah, there was still work to be done. Noah had to obey and follow God's instructions. Despite how odd it seemed to build the ark, Noah still obeyed. He literally worked out his salvation from the flood by building the ark. If Noah just thanked God for His grace but took no action, he would have perished in the flood along with the rest of humanity.
It's not enough to just accept God's gift of grace. There is work on my part that goes with that. It may be very hard work or something that will draw ridicule from those around me. But if I am walking justly, if I am striving to find favor in God's eyes by how I live, He will deliver me from the flood.
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Noah wasn't sinless. He faced the same battles I face today of fighting not only the corrupt culture of depravity around him, but also the inner battle of wanting to live justly but having a wicked, evil sin nature. The passage doesn't say what specific things Noah did to have God grant him grace. Only that he was righteous before God.
But even though God gave grace to Noah, there was still work to be done. Noah had to obey and follow God's instructions. Despite how odd it seemed to build the ark, Noah still obeyed. He literally worked out his salvation from the flood by building the ark. If Noah just thanked God for His grace but took no action, he would have perished in the flood along with the rest of humanity.
It's not enough to just accept God's gift of grace. There is work on my part that goes with that. It may be very hard work or something that will draw ridicule from those around me. But if I am walking justly, if I am striving to find favor in God's eyes by how I live, He will deliver me from the flood.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Genesis 3-5; Luke 2
Luke 2:29-32
Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.
God revealed to Simeon that he wouldn't die until he saw the Lord's Christ. When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple as a baby to present Him to the Lord, Simeon took that little baby and said those words. But Jesus hadn't even done anything yet. He had no followers. He hadn't done a single miracle. He hadn't taught a single parable or even uttered His first words. There had been no cross, no death, no blood shed to pay the penalty for sin, no resurection to conquer death. Yet Simeon said his eyes had seen God's salvation.
I doubt that Simeon even knew what was in store for Jesus or how God's plan for salvation would work out through Him. But Simeon knew God and trusted in His promises. If he had a bumper there would have been a sticker on it that read, "God said it. I believe it. That settles it." How I want to have eyes like Simeon's. Eyes that look beyond the here and now. How I want to be patient, just and devout like Simoen, who waited for the Consolation if Istael and praised God even though God's plan for salvation wouldn't be complete in his lifetime.
Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.
God revealed to Simeon that he wouldn't die until he saw the Lord's Christ. When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple as a baby to present Him to the Lord, Simeon took that little baby and said those words. But Jesus hadn't even done anything yet. He had no followers. He hadn't done a single miracle. He hadn't taught a single parable or even uttered His first words. There had been no cross, no death, no blood shed to pay the penalty for sin, no resurection to conquer death. Yet Simeon said his eyes had seen God's salvation.
I doubt that Simeon even knew what was in store for Jesus or how God's plan for salvation would work out through Him. But Simeon knew God and trusted in His promises. If he had a bumper there would have been a sticker on it that read, "God said it. I believe it. That settles it." How I want to have eyes like Simeon's. Eyes that look beyond the here and now. How I want to be patient, just and devout like Simoen, who waited for the Consolation if Istael and praised God even though God's plan for salvation wouldn't be complete in his lifetime.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Genesis 1-2; Luke 1
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing will be impossible.
Before I even knew what the passage was for today's reading I watch "Facing the Giants" twice. I'm thinking I need to make that my newest New Years Day tradition. Near the end there is a scene of the coach talking to his team in the locker room after winning the champoinship and asking the players what is impossible for God. "Nothing!" I know it's just a fictional movie. But the point, the message of this movie expresses the truth of this very verse.
If I want anything for my life in 2009, it's to live with that kind of faith. Zacharias, as a priest, knew the historical instances of God doing the "impossible" for Israel. Yet even though he prayed for a child, he doubted that God would do the impossible in his own life by giving him a son. God made him mute until his son was born.
My focus needs to be squarely on doing my best for God and honoring Him in all I do and always with my best effort. Not that my strength will win any battles. But through me, if it will be for God's glory, He will do the impossible. Broken down van. Nothing is impossible for God. Skinny balance in the checking account while bills seem to constantly come in. Nothing is impossible for God. People I know or work with who have no interest in God. Nothing is impossible for God.
I serve an awesome God, the Creator of the universe. Nothing is impossible for God.
For with God nothing will be impossible.
Before I even knew what the passage was for today's reading I watch "Facing the Giants" twice. I'm thinking I need to make that my newest New Years Day tradition. Near the end there is a scene of the coach talking to his team in the locker room after winning the champoinship and asking the players what is impossible for God. "Nothing!" I know it's just a fictional movie. But the point, the message of this movie expresses the truth of this very verse.
If I want anything for my life in 2009, it's to live with that kind of faith. Zacharias, as a priest, knew the historical instances of God doing the "impossible" for Israel. Yet even though he prayed for a child, he doubted that God would do the impossible in his own life by giving him a son. God made him mute until his son was born.
My focus needs to be squarely on doing my best for God and honoring Him in all I do and always with my best effort. Not that my strength will win any battles. But through me, if it will be for God's glory, He will do the impossible. Broken down van. Nothing is impossible for God. Skinny balance in the checking account while bills seem to constantly come in. Nothing is impossible for God. People I know or work with who have no interest in God. Nothing is impossible for God.
I serve an awesome God, the Creator of the universe. Nothing is impossible for God.
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