02-06-11 (Day 6) Bottom Line

Day 6

Be bold like Peter and John and fear no man.  Witness and testify fearlessly for God and know that He will be there with you.   Being with you, the Holy Spirit carries this burden with you making it far lighter than that of the law of sin and death.  Daily we can be empowered by the Holy Spirit and find joy in serving the Lord. (even under persecution… perhaps especially under persecution) Remember that God is not only with you, but He will also fight with you, for your, avenge you, provide a way out, protect you, guide you, and give you rest.  It is ok to become weary in these daily battles.  We can rest on God.  The person of God that I disciple after was willing to die to reach me.  I should be willing at the very least to be persecuted to reach out to others.   I should take detours if need be to reach out to others in need and approach them without judgment. 

SPECK

S-sin to avoid = Pride. 

P-Promise to claim = When I am fully trained I will be like Jesus

E-example to follow = Jesus

C-Command to obey = Learn???

K-Knowledge to believe = 

02-05-11 (Day 5) see, search, so what

Day 5

The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

SEE:

I see this as being about humility.  A student is not to think of himself as being better than his teacher.  I also see purposeful effort.  To be fully trained is not something I imagine as easy at all when considering the material we are trained on; life.  Rather it takes a lifetime to become fully trained on life and only a teacher such as Jesus could fully train one do do the Father’s will in that time.  I see humility and purposeful effort to do the Father’s will.

SEARCH:

Who – Who is this verse written to?  Who is it about?  Who wrote it?

This was written by God through Luke and records Jesus speaking to a large crowd of His disciples and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyr and Sidon.  It is about me that Jesus is speaking.  I am the student; the disciple.

What – What should I do?

                I should be humble and seek daily to learn the way of Jesus.      

Where – Where should I do this?

                Everywhere.  Even when I do not have my eyes on the Bible I should have my mind meditating on His word.

Why – Why should I seek to learn the ways of Jesus?

                To serve and reach others and to be like Him who has come to seek and save the lost.  I cannot ever fully reach this in every way, but I can become more like Him daily and become empowered daily by the Holy Spirit to do the good that He would do here.

SO WHAT:

There shouldn’t be a day that goes by that I do not follow after my Master and King.  Every day, (no matter what!), I need to spend time in the Word of God.  This needs to be a priority.  Every day, (no matter what!), I need to spend time communicating with my Teacher and learning humbly from Him.  This is a class that I cannot afford to miss.  Nor do I desire to do so.  

02-04-11 (Day 4) Luke 19:1-10

Day 4

“Jesus went into be a guest with a man who was a sinner, but He came out from the dinner with a saved man!” – Enduringword.com

The passage I read was Luke 19:1-10

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+19:1-10&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

Jesus was headed through Jericho and a wealthy chief tax collector named Zacchaeus was too short to see and thus climbed a tree for a better view.  Jesus ended up inviting him down from the tree so that Jesus could have dinner with him (which of course caused others to judge Jesus – for hangin with a sinner). 

Luke 19:8-10

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord!  Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Jesus said to him, “Today Salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

As I reflect:

In considering the route Jesus chose to take to get to Jerusalem one may be curious of the reason going through Jericho was chosen.  There are other routes, but perhaps Jesus’ only reason was this encounter with Zacchaeus.  Perhaps He wanted the word to more widely spread that he did reach out to and spend time with sinners instead of hiding from or condemning them.  Perhaps.  I speculate though.  It just kinda seems like something Jesus would do.  Make a detour to spend time with a sinner (who in this case ended up repented and saved btw), and let everyone see.

Thinking about Zacchaeus and what he did to see Jesus, I find it a bit “beneath him” as a wealthy adult.  This surely seems something that would get you laughed at…. Especially considering his size and that he was likely not well liked.  I am pleased to see that he didn’t seem to care about what others thought though.  He was more excited for a chance at merely seeing the Savior.  Perhaps that is one of the reasons that Jesus chose him to dine with.  Perhaps Jesus knew this man’s heart already (very likely I thinks) and that this man’s heart was prepared to receive new life.  How grand to be called by name as the Lord does here for Zacchaeus.

John 10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 

I don’t think Jesus chose this route by accident at all.  God only knows the changes that occurred in the time line of Zacchaeus’ life and all he came across from that point on.  I think for me, one of the largest portions of this passage to reflect on is that there is effort on our end to reach out to the hand that is reaching in.  We are also told in the Word to “ask”, “seek”, and “Knock”.  I think again here we are seeing someone else making the effort to reach out to Jesus; an effort to make a connection genuinely and my loving Savior has never been quick to turn away from such an advance.  I remember the day when I finally hit rock bottom and I reached out to Him.  He didn’t hesitate for a moment to immediately take my hand and pull me from the mire I was drowning in.  I haven’t let go of that hand since and He hasn’t let go of me. 

Jesus at the end of this passage says that He came to seek and save the lost.  This was exactly the reason He went to dinner with Zacchaeus.  He also said that Zacchaeus was a true son of Abraham.  This is because he was not only a descendent genetically, but also had the faith in God that Abe had. 

There is also a completely different study I see here on the wealthy man Jesus met with that thought he was all that plus HBO but ended up walking away sad cuz he had to give up great wealth.  Why Zacchaeus received such a different approach was because his heart placed Jesus far higher a priority than the money.  His wealth was easily released showing no strong hold in the heart that would hinder him from thus following after Christ.  This rich man was one of the few who could be rich and make it into Heaven still because of the state of his heart.  But that’s a whole other study.

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I believe you are worthy to go out on a limb for (both literally and figuratively).  I believe you are worthy of far greater than this, but if it will appease may you accept my going out on a limb; my taking a detour to reach others as an offering of my service to you.   I pray I never stop seeking You in my life.  I want to look around inside and out in my life and eventually find that there is no more of me there… Just you.  I pray to be able to look in the mirror one day and just see what you have done, not what I have failed to do.  If it is only by the merit of Jesus that we are saved, than may it be only by His merit that I live.  May I never become content to simply be saved, but I pray Lord that I would continually strive to know you more.  I pray that my heart would always be prepared to receive your word and that I would eagerly meet with you daily to do so.  I pray that those who would read these words, would also have this desire planted deeply within their hearts.  In Jesus name.  

02-03-11 (Day 3) Matthew 10:24-31

Day 3

  

The passage I read was Matthew 10:24-31

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

Jesus says (paraphrased) that we are not above the teacher, but like our teacher.  Likewise for the unbeliever and how they are like their master (satan).  We have nothing to fear of the unbeliever.  What we learn from Jesus, proclaim it and don’t fear the enemy.  He can kill your body (through the unbeliever) but he cannot kill your soul.  But do fear God, for He has command of your body and soul. 

You are valued far more than birds and God takes care of them well.  So don’t be afraid.

As I reflect:

The persecution I receive for my beliefs is something that not only happens but should be expected.  This passage says that we (when fully trained) will be like our teacher.  In my case, the Teacher is Jesus Christ and If I am to be like Him, then will I not also receive persecution and perhaps even death as He also received?  They called him Beelzebub and believed that the things He did were from the power of Satan.  They beat Him, ripped His beard, cut His back wide open, ran nails through hands and feet, and crucified Him.  Have I any right to be angry when someone becomes angry with my attempts to introduce them to their own need for Jesus?   Seems to me like their anger at me pales, nay disappears entirely when compared to what Jesus went through for me.  And I should certainly not be afraid (though this tends to be one of Satan’s tools against me when I’m in the field of the harvest working).  I just need to remember several things:  Greater is He that is in me that he that is in the world.  Fear is of the enemy, so if I feel fear it is because I am a threat and the enemy wants me to cease and desist.  I’ll not give him that satisfaction.  The person of God that I disciple after was willing to die to reach me.  I should be willing at the very least to be persecuted to reach out to others.   I needn’t fear this knowing that the Creator of my very existence is in charge and cares deeply for me.  He will surely work all things for the good in me because I love Him and I am chosen according to His purpose. 

Trapp said, “He that fears God need fear none else.”  I love that quote.  I think it hits home with me and hopefully with other believers too.  Don’t let Satan hold you back from your witness and use fear to drive you away from your calling.  Fear only God and do what He has asked of you. Love others, share the good Word.

My response to the Lord:

Lord, too often the fear creeps upon me and stops me from opening my mouth when I am talking with someone that doesn’t know you.  I ask for your wisdom and guidance fully Father.  I don’t want to push people away from you, of cause them to hater your followers, but at the same time will we not be hated for following you regardless?  It’s often hard to discern when to speak and when not to, but I pray that you would build up and strengthen that discernment which you have given me that I would at the very least never keep my mouth closed due to fear or human logic overcoming your calling.  May your will be done instead.  For this reason I pray for courage and a bold heart in the missions field that you would use me to reach who you will.  Lord, speak when you will through me.  Reach when you will through me.  I pray there be nothing found in me that hinder your use of me for the furthering of your kingdom Father.  In your Son’s name. 

02-02-11 (Day 2) Matthew 11:25-30

Day 2

The passage I read was Matthew 11:25-30

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:25-30&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

Here Jesus thanks His Father God for making the truth known to the disciples but allowing the prideful and knowledgeable to remain blind to it.  He then tells the disciples that He knows the Father and can chose to reveal the Father to people.  Also, He says He will give rest to the weary and burdened that would come to Him.  He then wraps up this passage advising that His yoke is easy and His burden is light and He is gentle and humble in heart.  We can come to Him and receive this yoke instead of the heavy yoke we currently carry, and we can learn from Him.

These are my words and as such cannot be taken as anything other than my attempt to summarize this passage.  Please do not take my words as a replacement for the actual written word of God.  Please read the passage for yourself if you seek the complete knowledge and wisdom found in the Word and accept no substitute.

As I reflect:

Absolutely awesome!  A great deal is actually covered in this passage so I will try to keep my reflection notes short as to not babble on for pages.  1^st, starting in verse 25 Jesus is speaking to God aloud.  The word says “answered” which implies the communication occurring both ways between this person of the trinity and God the Father.  Jesus is thankful that God chose not to reveal to the wise and prideful but to the “babes” which is the word used here to represent the disciples because of their lack of education.  It’s actually a bit sarcastic in the light of making fun of the view that the self righteous prideful educated men would have called the disciples who actually were more in the know then them.  The knowledgeable men of the time were those that rejected Christ and His miracles.  It was those that were willing to follow as children and that God chose to reveal to us these things that were enlightened as to the true nature… nay, super nature of this person of Jesus Christ.   I believe this for me can be taken as a reminder to not allow the search for knowledge or obtaining of knowledge to become such a self serving pride that I might become blind to the truth found in approaching our Lord as a child. 

In verse 28 Jesus goes on to speak to the disciples regarding the difference in the yoke of the world and the yoke that He offers.  The yoke of the world, this heavy burden that He speaks of is more fully explained in Matthew 23:1-4 as He warns against the Pharisees’ hypocrisy.

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.  So you must be careful to do everything they tell you.  But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.  They tie up heavy cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.’”

Matthew 11:28 sticks out most to me in this passage as He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  This simply has to make it into the memorization verse pile for the family.  Such a useful thing to know and use when we feel heavy burdened by this world.  We must remember as Christians that we carried the burden of this world.  It was a huge burden upon our backs and we have been relieved of that burden upon coming to Christ.  He took away the troubles of this world and replaced it with His yoke.  We now no longer toil in vain.  We have rest for our souls in knowing that the day our body dies, our spirit will be led out from the body and into our Heavenly home in the presence of our Lord.  Until that time, we have the joyous knowledge that God is with us now through His Holy Spirit that guides us, leads us away from temptation, gives us outs when we are tempted beyond what we can bare, helps us carry when our burdens seem heavy, lights our path when we don’t know which way to step, comforts us when we have been persecuted, and allows us the many opportunities for growth and joy through trials and tribulations that the world causes but just doesn’t understand.   And to think He says, “come”, thus inviting and driving away none.  You are invited if you have not yet taken hold of His yoke.  It is freely offered for you to exchange now your burdens for the light yoke of the Lord.  Let none draw anyone to themselves but let us draw the unbeliever to Jesus who says, “come”. 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I thank you for your free offer and I fully accept.  Thank you that because of your mighty redeeming blood I do not have to walk in this world alone.  I can come to you and lay my heavy burdens at the foot of the cross, and walk in your ways.  I thank you that you allow me to disciple after you.  I thank you that you would even hear me but all the more that you would forgive me, be merciful to me, take my cold heart out and placing your heart in me heal me, and call me your own.  This yoke is truly easy when compared to the yoke of the world.  You took that weight on for me and now when I fall or begin to struggle, you are there to carry me that I would not be left behind.  May I never again approach the foot of the cross and pick back up my burdens.  May my walk as one of your children reflect my thankfulness for what you have done in adopting and teaching me your ways Father.  May I always give you praise and all honor and glory due your name.  In the great and mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen.

02-01-11 (Day 1) Acts 4:1-13

Day 1

The passage I read was Acts 4:1-13

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+4:1-13&version=NIV

My summary of the passage is this:

Peter and John were speaking to people about the resurrection of the dead in Jesus.  They were arrested by the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees for this.  Thankfully, many that heard believed.  The next day as they were questioned “By what power or what name did you do this?”, Peter replied, “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel:  It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  Jesus is ‘The stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  The men were astonished at the response.

As I reflect:

The fact that the Sadducees, the priests, and the captain of the temple guard didn’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ didn’t A – change the fact that Jesus did rise and did empower through His Holy Spirit and B – matter to Peter and John.  I look at their response and wonder if I would be so bold given the same situation.  Not only bold, but so faithful to the mission that they would even use this as an opportunity to further proclaim the Lord Jesus for Salvation even unto those whose earthly authority would allow them to greatly punish these men.  I believe that, like Daniel, these men know that they are under direct authority from God and they thus do not fear men’s abilities.  Here they were standing before those of the Sanhedrin who recently also crucified Jesus and at some point they must have thought that these men could very well do the same thing to them.  They just didn’t care.  There was no kissing butts to their calling.  They fully trusted God and they were devoted to doing as they ought. I also see that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit yet again here before the Sanhedrin and it was that very Holy Spirit that prompted such boldness and brought from Peter’s mouth the right words for this very moment.  This reminds me of Matthew 10 when Jesus warned the Disciples to be on guard against men that will hand them over to local councils and flog them.  He says this, “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.  At that time you will be given what to say, For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. “ Matthew 10:18-20

Here we see that played out exactly.  And so it is also with us.  Then the men marveled because they realized the men were uneducated.  They were just Galilean fishermen but they did have one essential qualification to be so bold in their ministry… They had been with Jesus.  And so this also is with us.  We have been given the Holy Spirit as believers today and we should be as bold to stand before our accusers and continue the same ministry to them that they hold us accused for in this world.  Know ye that the Lord has authority over all the earth and we answer to Him.  Who can harm us if the Lord wants not harm to come to us?  Who can stop us from His service if we are faithful in serving for the right motive? 

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I praise you for the wonders I see in history and for the wonders I still see today.  I praise you even for what has not yet been done because You alone are worthy.  Lord, that you hold the power to put boldness into men and speak through your servants, is exciting and I anticipate with joy that you will use me by your Holy Spirit to speak boldly as well should I ever stand accused for you.  Peter and John were bold because they had once walked with your Son.  Father, I walk with your Son still and I pray for such boldness that I would share your Gospel in the same manner as these two men I have read about.  Empower me in your will Lord that I may more boldly serve you.  In Jesus name.  Amen.