1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Society banters about the word love, but clearly does not not use this definition. There's nothing here about making one feel good, sexuality or causing one's heart to skip a beat. This love looks like it wouldn't come easy. It would be hard work. And I don't see that there's any "being out" of love here.
Jesus told us the world would know His followers by their love for one another. I can only imagine how every church would be transformed if we really were to show this kind of love to our brothers and sisters. It's revolutionary. We would really become "communities" of believers, our lives interconnected, not just groups that gather once a week or so if we modeled this kind of love.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7
Numbers 23:21a
He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel.
I've been seeing a lot of wickedness in Israel as I've been reading through the Bible. Just in chapter 21 the people were speaking out agains God. Is this thing that God told Balaam to speak a mistake? I may be over simplifying it. But to me it means when God says He forgives and accepts our repentance, He really does. Does He know we are going to fail again? Of course. But the sacrifice for sin cleans the slate. And Jesus, the final and only perfect sacrifice, has taken my sin and given me His righteousness. It's a righteousness not of my own doing that God sees when He looks at me.
He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel.
I've been seeing a lot of wickedness in Israel as I've been reading through the Bible. Just in chapter 21 the people were speaking out agains God. Is this thing that God told Balaam to speak a mistake? I may be over simplifying it. But to me it means when God says He forgives and accepts our repentance, He really does. Does He know we are going to fail again? Of course. But the sacrifice for sin cleans the slate. And Jesus, the final and only perfect sacrifice, has taken my sin and given me His righteousness. It's a righteousness not of my own doing that God sees when He looks at me.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5
Mark 5:35-36
While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
I really needed this reminder today, that God is the God of the impossible. When I look at circumstances or situations that I think are hopeless it becomes so easy to decide there's no sense in bothering the Teacher any further. But then Jesus is right there, knowing my weakness and lack of faith, telling me not to worry but to believe.
And believing in God for something that seems impossible might bring ridicule from others, just as the mourners at Jairus' house ridiculed Jesus right before he raised Jairus' daughter back to life. I need to recognize that trusting God for the unseen, "impossible" things goes against the humanistic, "logical" system of this fallen world. But I know I can trust and have faith in the Creator of the universe, the Lover of my soul, even for those things that my natural eyes tell me are beyond hope.
While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
I really needed this reminder today, that God is the God of the impossible. When I look at circumstances or situations that I think are hopeless it becomes so easy to decide there's no sense in bothering the Teacher any further. But then Jesus is right there, knowing my weakness and lack of faith, telling me not to worry but to believe.
And believing in God for something that seems impossible might bring ridicule from others, just as the mourners at Jairus' house ridiculed Jesus right before he raised Jairus' daughter back to life. I need to recognize that trusting God for the unseen, "impossible" things goes against the humanistic, "logical" system of this fallen world. But I know I can trust and have faith in the Creator of the universe, the Lover of my soul, even for those things that my natural eyes tell me are beyond hope.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
The twelve had left everything to follow Jesus. They knew there was a "God thing" going on. But they still hadn't fully understood who Jesus was. Or did they? They had seen miracle after miracle. They saw His compassion toward the hurting and broken. They heard His teaching and saw how His understand of the Law was far beyond the religious leaders'. Perhaps their terrified feelings were because they did relaize who this was that calmed the wind and the waves with His words.
It is a terrifying thing to realize one is in God's presence. To approach God in an unclean state or without going about it through the proper ceremony meant instant death. But these twelve had been invited into Jesus presence. He chose and called them. It's always a balancing act between having fear and being in awe of Holy God and having faith because He came and invited me to follow in spite of my failure and uncleanness.
He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
The twelve had left everything to follow Jesus. They knew there was a "God thing" going on. But they still hadn't fully understood who Jesus was. Or did they? They had seen miracle after miracle. They saw His compassion toward the hurting and broken. They heard His teaching and saw how His understand of the Law was far beyond the religious leaders'. Perhaps their terrified feelings were because they did relaize who this was that calmed the wind and the waves with His words.
It is a terrifying thing to realize one is in God's presence. To approach God in an unclean state or without going about it through the proper ceremony meant instant death. But these twelve had been invited into Jesus presence. He chose and called them. It's always a balancing act between having fear and being in awe of Holy God and having faith because He came and invited me to follow in spite of my failure and uncleanness.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Numbers 14-16; Mark 3
Numbers 14:8-9
If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.
Joshua and Caleb got it. They had seen all God had done for His people and knew if their trust was in Him they had nothing to fear from the people who occupied the land the Lord promised them. They also knew to rebel against God and not fear Him would bring destruction. How could the others who had been on this same journey and seen the same miracles and provision of God with Joshua and Caleb not have known this? What upset the rest of the folks so much about the words that Joshua and Caleb spoke that the people wanted to stone them?
Some people it seems just don't like truth. They don't like to be confronted with things that don't match how they perceive something or that may cause them to alter how they have been living. I'm certain I have many blind spots where I am that way. But I've found as I age and mature I am much more able to receive words that force me to examine how I live in light of truth.
Joshua and Caleb were the only ones from that generation who got to enter the promised land. But they still had to endure forty more years of wandering because of the rebellion of the others. They were so close to realizing God promise and had it snatched away. But still they trusted. And God kept His word to them. Not only must I trust God even when it seems I'm having to wander longer. But I need to realize that if I choose to rebel, others may have to endure more time wandering because of me. We're all in this together as His people. If the Lord delights in us, He will bring us into the land.
If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.
Joshua and Caleb got it. They had seen all God had done for His people and knew if their trust was in Him they had nothing to fear from the people who occupied the land the Lord promised them. They also knew to rebel against God and not fear Him would bring destruction. How could the others who had been on this same journey and seen the same miracles and provision of God with Joshua and Caleb not have known this? What upset the rest of the folks so much about the words that Joshua and Caleb spoke that the people wanted to stone them?
Some people it seems just don't like truth. They don't like to be confronted with things that don't match how they perceive something or that may cause them to alter how they have been living. I'm certain I have many blind spots where I am that way. But I've found as I age and mature I am much more able to receive words that force me to examine how I live in light of truth.
Joshua and Caleb were the only ones from that generation who got to enter the promised land. But they still had to endure forty more years of wandering because of the rebellion of the others. They were so close to realizing God promise and had it snatched away. But still they trusted. And God kept His word to them. Not only must I trust God even when it seems I'm having to wander longer. But I need to realize that if I choose to rebel, others may have to endure more time wandering because of me. We're all in this together as His people. If the Lord delights in us, He will bring us into the land.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Number 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2
Psalm 90:12-17
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Relent, O LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Just the other day my kids askd the difference between being smart and being wise. I said something like being smart is knowing a lot of things. But wisom is being able to properly apply that knowledge. I'm pretty smart regarding all this God stuff. But I desire to gain the heart of wisdom the psalmist writes about.
Just like everybody else, I struggle with wanting to always do the right things, but feeling the pull of my sinful nature working against that. And when the flesh wins those battles, I can only look to God's mercy and love to help me face the consequences I so rightly deserve. Even in the midst of those aflictions I have brought upon my self by my disobedience, God is at work to teach and refine me. He will not give up on me. His favor is shown to me not only in times of ease and comfort. But perhaps even more so in those times of loving discilpine. And when I submit to His discilpine and yield to His leading, He will establish the work of my hands. Because in that state of surrender to Him, my hands are doing His work, no my own.
"Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory.
Take my life and let it be Yours.
Glory to God. Glory to God.
Glory to God, forever!"
by: Steve Fee, Vicky Beeching
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Relent, O LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Just the other day my kids askd the difference between being smart and being wise. I said something like being smart is knowing a lot of things. But wisom is being able to properly apply that knowledge. I'm pretty smart regarding all this God stuff. But I desire to gain the heart of wisdom the psalmist writes about.
Just like everybody else, I struggle with wanting to always do the right things, but feeling the pull of my sinful nature working against that. And when the flesh wins those battles, I can only look to God's mercy and love to help me face the consequences I so rightly deserve. Even in the midst of those aflictions I have brought upon my self by my disobedience, God is at work to teach and refine me. He will not give up on me. His favor is shown to me not only in times of ease and comfort. But perhaps even more so in those times of loving discilpine. And when I submit to His discilpine and yield to His leading, He will establish the work of my hands. Because in that state of surrender to Him, my hands are doing His work, no my own.
"Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory.
Take my life and let it be Yours.
Glory to God. Glory to God.
Glory to God, forever!"
by: Steve Fee, Vicky Beeching
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1
Psalm 27:8, 14
When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
I have never been more committed to seeking God than I am right now. My desire for Him and His word seems to continue to grow. I am so eager to please Him and wanting to do what He wills. I'm ready for my marching orders. I really wasn't expecting that waiting would be it.
When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
I have never been more committed to seeking God than I am right now. My desire for Him and His word seems to continue to grow. I am so eager to please Him and wanting to do what He wills. I'm ready for my marching orders. I really wasn't expecting that waiting would be it.
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