Recall:
When the disciples had Jesus off to themselves, they asked, “Why couldn’t we throw it out?”
“Because you’re not yet taking God seriously,” said Jesus. “The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy seed, say, you would tell this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it would move. There is nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.”
- Matthew 17:19-20, The MEssage
Reflect:
Is it real? Is it true? Does it work? This interchange haunts me. Is it possible that I am missing most of what God could do through me because of my lack of faith? Because I'm not taking God seriously?
Respond:
Here is all I know to do: consistently, relentlessly develop my relationship with God. That means trimming out everything that doesn't facilitate that. No more TV in the morning for me. It's the same news every day anyway. Do I really need to be the first person to know who McCain and Obama pick for their VP? Wouldn't that time be better spent making space to take God seriously?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Reading: Luke 13:1-9, 1 Timothy 1:1-11, Proverbs 1, Ezra 1-2
Recall:
and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:4-5
He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:8-9
Reflect:
The practice is the key, the "divine training," not myths and genealogies. It would be interesting to exegete that passage in the Greek. I want to practice my faith, practice love, and lead others to do the same.
The gardener is always advocating for one more year. He is always willing to give one more year, one more year.
Respond:
God, I will use this one more year for your glory, spending it in divine training, developing my relationship with you in truth and practicing love.
and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:4-5
He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:8-9
Reflect:
The practice is the key, the "divine training," not myths and genealogies. It would be interesting to exegete that passage in the Greek. I want to practice my faith, practice love, and lead others to do the same.
The gardener is always advocating for one more year. He is always willing to give one more year, one more year.
Respond:
God, I will use this one more year for your glory, spending it in divine training, developing my relationship with you in truth and practicing love.
Reading: Matthew 17:1-13, Acts 23:12-35, Psalm 38, Leviticus 1-4
Recall:
Psalm 40:14-15
I don’t hear a word they say,
don’t speak a word in response.
What I do, GOD, is wait for you,
wait for my Lord, my God—you will answer!
Leviticus 1:14-17
“If a bird is presented to GOD for the Whole-Burnt-Offering it can be either a dove or a pigeon. The priest will bring it to the Altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the Altar. But he will first drain the blood on the side of the Altar, remove the gizzard and its contents, and throw them on the east side of the Altar where the ashes are piled. Then rip it open by its wings but leave it in one piece and burn it on the Altar on the wood prepared for the fire: a Whole-Burnt-Offering, a Fire-Gift, a pleasing fragrance to GOD.
Matthew 17:1-3 (The Message)
Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.
Reflect:
Reading the responsibilities of the priests in the preparation of the sacrifices, I am struck by the physical labor, by the dirtiness of the work of the priest. He is twisting heads off of birds and removing gizzards and scattering blood. It's an interesting contrast with the glory that Peter, James, and John experienced at the transfiguration. The work of ministry is always both it seems, the glory of the Divine presence and just plain ol' hard work.
Psalm 40 is powerful. "What I do, God, is wait for you..." What else is there to do?
Respond:
Good and gracious Lord, thank you for the privilege and responsibility of ministry. Thank you for the reminder this morning that it is often hard work. Give me the stamina to continue my labor for you. I will play my part by caring for my spirit and body, putting strengthening practices into my daily life.
Psalm 40:14-15
I don’t hear a word they say,
don’t speak a word in response.
What I do, GOD, is wait for you,
wait for my Lord, my God—you will answer!
Leviticus 1:14-17
“If a bird is presented to GOD for the Whole-Burnt-Offering it can be either a dove or a pigeon. The priest will bring it to the Altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the Altar. But he will first drain the blood on the side of the Altar, remove the gizzard and its contents, and throw them on the east side of the Altar where the ashes are piled. Then rip it open by its wings but leave it in one piece and burn it on the Altar on the wood prepared for the fire: a Whole-Burnt-Offering, a Fire-Gift, a pleasing fragrance to GOD.
Matthew 17:1-3 (The Message)
Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.
Reflect:
Reading the responsibilities of the priests in the preparation of the sacrifices, I am struck by the physical labor, by the dirtiness of the work of the priest. He is twisting heads off of birds and removing gizzards and scattering blood. It's an interesting contrast with the glory that Peter, James, and John experienced at the transfiguration. The work of ministry is always both it seems, the glory of the Divine presence and just plain ol' hard work.
Psalm 40 is powerful. "What I do, God, is wait for you..." What else is there to do?
Respond:
Good and gracious Lord, thank you for the privilege and responsibility of ministry. Thank you for the reminder this morning that it is often hard work. Give me the stamina to continue my labor for you. I will play my part by caring for my spirit and body, putting strengthening practices into my daily life.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Reading: Matthew 16:13-28, Acts 23:1-11, Psalm 37:23-40, Exodus 38-40
Recall:
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? Matthew 16:24-26
I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are ever giving liberally and lending,
and their children become a blessing. Psalm 37:25-26
Reflect:
Powerful paragraph from Matthew! Jesus said the gates of Hades itself will not be able to hold out the church. Now that is bold. But it definitely is not a descriptor for the church that I see now. What are we as the church, what am I as a follower of Christ, willing to risk to play a part in what God will accomplish through God's church?
I had never read this Psalm before, but what a wonderful testimony it is to God's provision, a powerful idea that should at least be experimented with.
Respond:
God, I want to be bold. I want to risk. I don't know that I'm willing to lose it all. But I'm willing to let you gently (I know, I'm such a wimp) start to strip what is not necessary, what is keeping me from following you and leading my church to do the same.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? Matthew 16:24-26
I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are ever giving liberally and lending,
and their children become a blessing. Psalm 37:25-26
Reflect:
Powerful paragraph from Matthew! Jesus said the gates of Hades itself will not be able to hold out the church. Now that is bold. But it definitely is not a descriptor for the church that I see now. What are we as the church, what am I as a follower of Christ, willing to risk to play a part in what God will accomplish through God's church?
I had never read this Psalm before, but what a wonderful testimony it is to God's provision, a powerful idea that should at least be experimented with.
Respond:
God, I want to be bold. I want to risk. I don't know that I'm willing to lose it all. But I'm willing to let you gently (I know, I'm such a wimp) start to strip what is not necessary, what is keeping me from following you and leading my church to do the same.
Reading: Matthew 16:13-28, Acts 23:1-11, Psalm 37:23-40, Exodus 38-40
Recall:
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? Matthew 16:24-26
I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are ever giving liberally and lending,
and their children become a blessing. Psalm 37:25-26
Reflect:
Powerful paragraph from Matthew! Jesus said the gates of Hades itself will not be able to hold out the church. Now that is bold. But it definitely is not a descriptor for the church that I see now. What are we as the church, what am I as a follower of Christ, willing to risk to play a part in what God will accomplish through God's church?
I had never read this Psalm before, but what a wonderful testimony it is to God's provision, a powerful idea that should at least be experimented with.
Respond:
God, I want to be bold. I want to risk. I don't know that I'm willing to lose it all. But I'm willing to let you gently (I know, I'm such a wimp) start to strip what is not necessary, what is keeping me from following you and leading my church to do the same.
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? Matthew 16:24-26
I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are ever giving liberally and lending,
and their children become a blessing. Psalm 37:25-26
Reflect:
Powerful paragraph from Matthew! Jesus said the gates of Hades itself will not be able to hold out the church. Now that is bold. But it definitely is not a descriptor for the church that I see now. What are we as the church, what am I as a follower of Christ, willing to risk to play a part in what God will accomplish through God's church?
I had never read this Psalm before, but what a wonderful testimony it is to God's provision, a powerful idea that should at least be experimented with.
Respond:
God, I want to be bold. I want to risk. I don't know that I'm willing to lose it all. But I'm willing to let you gently (I know, I'm such a wimp) start to strip what is not necessary, what is keeping me from following you and leading my church to do the same.
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