Got More Than Milk?

Prayer Focus: Vietnam

Bible Reading: Hebrews 5-8

Scripture

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.  Hebrews 5:11-14

Observation

These Hebrew Christians were still trying to get a handle on who Jesus is and were not yet grasping what His sacrifice meant to them and to the future.  If you look back at the astonishment of the Magi it’s not hard to believe that it was taking the Hebrews so long to catch up.  When the Magi arrived looking for the Messiah; yes, these men from the east knew about the Messiah; they found a city full of Jews who had no idea what they were talking about.  67, or so, years later, when this letter was written, they were still struggling to catch up.  As God’s chosen people, the keeper of God’s Word for millenia, they should have been the experts on the Messiah and teaching about Him to others.

Application

The Church today faces a similar dilemma.  Christians should be experts in the Bible, but more often than not, Christians barely know what the Bible says.  Worse yet, many Pastors today shun strong Biblical teaching in favor of life tips, great music and great videos.  Not that those things aren’t good, but just like donuts – in moderation they add flavor, but a steady diet of them will make you sick.

But before we start pointing the finger let’s take a look at ourselves.  Ask yourself, “Am I learning?  Do I investigate God’s Word to understand what it says, or am I just skimming the highlights to find out what it means to me?  Am I putting what I learn into practice?”

God is the Creator of the Universe, eternal and without measure, and He gave us His Word to investigate; what does that say about us if we’d rather skim the surface and not plumb the depths of His wisdom?  We’ve got milk, now let’s move on to solid food.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for Pastor Kirk who wants to know more about You and has challenged me so often to do the same.  I thank you for my new friends at The Church who are striving to teach Your Word in all its depth.  Guide all Your people; that we will expand our diet, so we can grow, and learn, and in many cases, so that we will know more about Your Word than the people that don’t love You.  How silly we have become, but how patient You are!  Teach us, Lord.  Amen.

 

One Of Us

Prayer Focus: Venezuela

Bible Reading: Hebrews 1-4

Scripture

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 2:18; 4:14-16)

Observation

There are two things which make the birth of Christ special. First, He came for the purpose of setting forth an example for us, dying for us, and resurrecting. Second, He came to experience life as we experience life—with temptation, weakness, and need.

Application

Jesus understands every challenge we face—really.

Prayer

Jesus, I was initially awed at your death and resurrection. The events of Passion week are an incredible demonstration of Your love for us. As I age, I am awed increasingly by the rest of the 33 years You spent on earth. Why did You stay so long? Why did You not stay longer? Did You need to enter our world to save us? I am so grateful that You became one of us and that You are with us always, understanding pain, joy, sorrow, grief, anger, love, and hope. I love You, LORD!

 

Being Like-minded

Prayer Focus:    Venezuela

Bible Reading:  1 Peter 1-5

Scripture – 

 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.  For,

“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

– 1 peter 3:8-12

⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen

-1 Peter 4:8-11

 Observation-  How much better would life be if we all lived according to these verses.  If we would all be sympathetic to one another, love one another, and show compassion and humility to each other.  There would be no strife, there would be no need for violence, people would learn that they can trust one another and depend on one another.

Application – It would be nice, but it is definitely not easy.  In dealing with those we love and care about it is hard to be like-minded and sympathetic.  Its much easier to be cold and cutting, to have a sharp tongue and a quick wit than to be gentle and supportive.  Much less, we are to love and show compassion to our enemies and pray for those that persecute us.  But if we can do that, then maybe that enemy becomes a neighbor and a friend.  Moreover, in seeing the love we have in Christ, we might win souls for the Kingdom.

Prayer –  Lord help us to love another, be compassionate and humble.  Help us not only to love those we call family and friends, but help us to love those who persecute us and do evil against us.  To you be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen

 

House Rules

Prayer Focus:  Uzbekistan

Scripture:Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 1-6

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:14-15)

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. (1 Timothy 4:6)

Observation:

You’ve become a Christian.  You heard the gospel, you said the prayer and you are now a member of God’s family… now what?  Adoption into a new family means that there are new rules to learn.  Every family has them, even God’s.

I love that we aren’t left to ourselves to figure it out.  He first sent His son, to teach us and show us… then sent the Holy Spirit to live inside us and direct us from within.  The bible says that The Spirit searches out the deep things of God (1 Cor. 2:10).   But He doesn’t stop there, he also provided us with his Word, and books with in it like the one we read today to teach us.

There is a movement within the church to tolerate all kinds of behavior that directly opposes scripture and these “family rules”.    Let’s face it, living a Godly life in today’s culture is very unpopular.  We don’t want to offend, exclude, or prohibit people from coming into the family, nor do we want to seem as though we are narrow-minded or exclusive.  And tragically, this compromises our fellowship with Him when we pick and choose which parts of His Word we are willing to acknowledge and live.

Application:

My challenge to you is to look at the book Paul wrote to Timothy, imagine it was written today… to you.  What sections do you find the most challenging?  What parts resonate and encourage you?  It might feel overwhelming to think of  these standards in your common every day experience,  and you may feel like you don’t measure up.

But let me encourage you to trust that the God who saved you, who has a plan and a purpose, has reasons for the rules he sets up.  The Holy Spirit who lives inside of you and searches out the deeper things will teach you, will be your guide as you navigate the transformation of your salvation. (Philippians 2:12-13).  Trust Him.

Prayer:

Lord I think you for your love.  I thank you for that amazing thing you did in sending your son who surrendered to the cross, and bridged the gap so that we could call you Father.  I thank you for your Spirit, the part of you that dwells in side of us, so that we are never alone.  Holy and Triad God, I ask that you complete the work inside of us that began with that initial prayer of repentance.  Amen.

 

Imitators

Prayer Focus: Uzbekistan

Bible Reading: Ephesians 5-6; Titus 1-3

Scripture:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;  ² and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Observation:

These passages from Ephesians and Titus are so rich and vibrant. To unpack it all would take more space and time than this blog would allow. Paul isn’t saying anything radically new here, though it’s the only time he discusses armor (look for it in the OT, however)  – there are echoes of Colossians, examples of how we should live with one another, reminders of God’s care and purpose for us and how to be strong {think armor of God}. Then Titus, such great stuff there, masquarading as a checklist of sorts, but powerful “so that” statements in chapter 2. Helpful reminders in Chapter 3 about where we’ve been so that we’re extending grace to others. . . great stuff. So imagine my surpise when, sitting down to write this, I’m captivated by the very first verse. Let’s unpack it together.

Application:

Be imitators – Isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery? Not the mocking type we sometimes see, but the idolizing, I want to be like you kind? What does it mean to imitate. We’re good at comparing ourselves. Imitate means to pretend doesn’t it?  Does Paul mean we are to be a people who fake it? I don’t think so. Wouldn’t it be better to emulate God? Emulate means strive to equal, that sounds good.  There’s more room for excusing our behavior if it’s bad. I mean, who can be perfect. . we’re just striving.

How exhausting. That doesn’t even sound like fun. According to Webster, Imitate means to reproduce or copy someone’s behaviour or looks. Wait – that sounds an awful lot like making disciples, doesn’t it? 

 Paul tells us to be Imitators of God. As beloved children. . .  .ahhh, suddenly this starts making more sense, right? Are you with me? Not as slaves, or servants, but as children and not only that, but beloved children. Adored, cherished, cared for. . . from this position, how can we not desire to be like God? 

Verse 2 is an extension . . .because if Paul had stopped at the end of verse 1 it would have been enough. But, he continues and reminds us of Christ’s love for us – individually – i.e. loved YOU, and collectively – i.e .gave himself up for US. As Christ ‘imitated’ the Father, doing only what would honor God, so should we be imitators of God – not our neighbors or each other, but God. 

Prayer

Father, as a beloved child, words are so inadequate to express my love to You. My thanks for all you’ve done, for the ways in which You model for me how I am to behave and respond to those around me. Help me to be more like You. Thank you for the example of Jesus, which points me back to You. Help me to fix my eyes- to respond in love and obedience to You, just as He did. May my life be a frangrant offering. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

 

Grace

Prayer Focus: Uruguay

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1-4

Scripture

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Observation

We are saved by grace through faith. It is not our doing, but the gift of God. He created us. He allows us to be recreated—forgiven, adopted as His children, reconciled, and obediently following Him.

Application

The greatest Gift of all arrived in a most unusual way for a peculiar purpose—to die! These verses are so profound, reminding us that religion is spelled D-O and salvation is spelled D-O-N-E, it was done on the cross. We aren’t good enough. All we need do is receive the Gift…and become the masterpiece He created us to become.

Prayer

LORD, I remain in awe of Your grace. I don’t deserve it. I can’t earn it. I can’t lose it. Thank You!!! I want to do the good works You prepared for me to do, not to earn salvation, but to respond in love and obedience to You. I love You, LORD! In Jesus’ Name, amen.

 

Submit, Love and Obey

Pray for revival in the USA; simplicity in worship and fullness in Biblical teaching.

Prayer Focus: United States

Bible Reading: Philemon, Colossians 1-4

Scripture

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.  Colossians 3:18-25 NIV

Observation

Paul writes to the Colossians praising them for keeping the faith; he talks about the supremacy of Christ, throwing off the sin nature, putting on the new nature in Christ, forgiveness, right living, right relationships, and family relationships.

Application

Verse 18, “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting to the Lord,” is not a beloved verse.  Verse 19, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them,” is not an often remembered verse.  Verse 20, “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord,” is a lost verse.

Out of those three things we hear something different from the world.

The world tells women they don’t have to obey their husbands.  That “obeying” is an antiquated and archaic ideology that kept women enslaved to their husbands for centuries.  We’re beyond that now, we’re in the modern age, and women should be in control of their lives.

The world tells men that women are for objectifying, not loving.  Respect and honor are “old school” notions.  Women are to be ogled, ranked and rated based on their physicality and dress, or even paid to perform.

The world tells children that parents aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.  Rules were made to be broken, right?  So, live now, sow you’re wild oats and if your parents get in the way of that just ignore them and treat them like the idiots they are.

Do you ever just stop and think about what’s happened?  Is it possible that we misunderstand the intent of submit, love and obey?  Are we so caught up in serving ourselves that we’ve forgotten what a community, even the family community, means?

God is a trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  When God created man He said, “it is not good for man to be alone.”  (Genesis 2:18)  It wasn’t that God made a mistake, rather, He was making a point, about community.  God is Himself a community of three.  A family unit; Husband, wife, child, is a community of three.  We get to add children and so our community can grow, but let’s stop right there for a moment.  The Son submits to the Father; Jesus did the will of His Father on earth.  The Father loves the Son; The Father declared He was pleased with Jesus, He cared for and nourished Jesus during Jesus’ time on earth, and He even raised Jesus from the dead.  The Holy Spirit is a bit harder to understand, not unlike kids.  But the Holy Spirit comforts us and grows our faith in God drawing us to Him, not separating us from Him.

All of this got perverted along the way.  Husbands were cruel to their wives and children, treating them as second class.  Wives would not submit to a tyrant and the children wanted no part of it.

It’s up to us to change all that.  The world mocks the Christian family, but we must be the example and restore the family.  Husbands, love your wives and be worthy of their submission; be kind to your children and explain to them what’s going on so they will want to obey.  Wives, submit to your husbands and be willing to teach them how to love.  Children, you’re parents want whats best for you, listen to them and if they’re driving you crazy talk to them about it, don’t hide it.

Communication in community.  It’s a beautiful thing.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I have not always been a worthy husband.  Show me how to be worthy of the love of my wife and children.  Encourage Christian families around the world to live out your plan for the family and let it be tool to lead the lost to you.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Peace

Prayer Focus: United States

Bible Reading: Philippians 1-4

Scripture

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)

Observation

Paul gives many instructions to the church in Philippi: rejoice, be gentle, do not be anxious, pray…and you will have peace. Think about good things, obey God…and the God of peace will be with them. Quite the checklist…quite the outcome.

Application

This is obviously more than a checklist. Paul is teaching the very things he has been modeling. His experience as both a Pharisee and an apostle of Jesus placed him in countless situations that activated his education, enhanced his prayers, and challenged his faith, and made him desperate for Jesus. He was able to see beyond his preset suffering to a glorious future. The entire book is about joy. It’s not always easy to follow his instructions, but they are rich and rewarding.

Prayer

Jesus, Prince of peace, help me to rejoice when I am discouraged. Help me to be gentle when I want to react and erupt. Help me to have peace when I am prone to worry and fear. Fill my mind with beauty when I’m tempted to expose it to trash. Give me a passion and vision to obey when I’m drawn to sin. I want You. I want to obey You. I want to follow You. Thank You for Your grace, forgiveness and patience. Be my joy! In Your Name, amen.

 

Is getting there really 1/2 the Fun?

Prayer Focus:    USA

Bible Reading:  Acts 27-28

Scripture – 

²¹ After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. ²² But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. ²³ Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴ and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’²⁵ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. ²⁶ Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” – Acts 27: 21-26

Observation-  Acts 27 and 28 are Luke’s account of the trip to Rome that Paul took.  He was going to have an audience with Caesar, after being arrested in Jerusalem.  But travel in those days was at the best precarious, Paul is traveling with a Roman Centurian and Roman Soldiers and some other prisoners going to Rome.

After starting out on one boat, they decided that they needed a larger vessel because of the bad weather.  So they got a larger vessel in Lycia, and started out for Rome again.  As soon as they left the harbor, the rough winds and storms hit again and for many days it appeared all would be lost.

But God had set Paul apart, as Paul said in Rom 1, and had determined that Paul would testify to Caesar in Rome.

So we come to the passage above.  God sent an angel to give Paul faith and the rest of the ship hope.  The message was clear, all would be saved.. but the ship would be lost.

Application –  Ray Stedman’s commentary on Acts 27  shares that Paul was directly in the will of God.  He was preaching, witnessing and on his way to testifying in Rome.  So why did God allow Paul to have so much trouble in his travels.  Reverend Stedman points out that in having Paul and his company face the situations he did, it allowed Paul to testify about the love of Christ and the wonders of God that would provide and protect them through the worst of situations.  In Acts 28, when the ship is ran aground, they find themselves on the island of Malta, and there are more opportunities to do God’s work.

I wonder if I would be able to praise God and have as strong a faith as Paul in a similar situation.  I pray that I would.  But what about our every day problems and trials, do we use those to testify to God’s mercy and glory, or do we shake our fist at the problems and people.  Wouldn’t it be better if we could give God glory in everything we do and everything we experience.  Wouldn’t we be better witnesses and cause more to come to Jesus?

Prayer –  Lord, I’m not asking for you to ship wreck me on an island, or have a viper jump out of the fire and bite me like in Acts 28.  But help me to use every opportunity, both the good and the bad, to bring you glory and give you praise.  Helps us “…to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Jesus Christ.” (1 Thes 5:17-19)   Amen.

 

What I Am

Prayer Focus: United States of America

Bible Reading: Acts 24-26

Scripture:

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”  (Acts 26:24-29)

Observation:

Paul knew the end was coming.  He had been warned a few chapters back that he would be captured and imprisoned if he went into Jerusalem.  And still he went.

In this section he has been passed up and up the food chain, no one willing to kill a Roman Citizen, Paul requests to speak to Cesar.  At this point in the journey he is speaking to Festus and Agrippa.  They don’t understand him, and call him insane.  Instead of justifying his actions or pleading for his release, he presents the gospel.

Application:

Can I say of my life, as Paul did, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

I can gratefully count myself as one of those who “are listening” to Paul, so many centuries later.   I count myself as one who – like him – is  changing from what I was into “What I Am”.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit who moves within us and compels us to be more like you!  Amen