SCRIPTURE
"So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, "We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word." (Acts 5:2-4)
OBSERVATION
We catch the story where the apostles (the disciples who spent the most time with Jesus) are in the midst of a rapidly growing group of believers. It must have been an incredible experience to celebrate! But along the way, some complaints arose. They always do. People had needs to be met and there were some ministry tasks to attend to. Important tasks. Time consuming tasks. Good problems to have. The challenge was that these problems needed solutions and actions.
The apostles wisely decided to delegate these important responsibilities to potential leaders within the church. This is an aspect of the early church that we have to keep as a priority – identify and train up new leaders. In the book 7 Practices of Effective Ministry, we read that our leaders are also to be replacing themselves with new leaders. We need to intentionally look for well respected and Spirit-filled men and women who will lead ministries. As the Church grows, it will take more than just a handful to provide for those coming to Christ, we need an army of people led by tons of great leaders.
But once we've identified new leaders we have to stay close enough to them to teach and train and far enough away to allow them to grow. Finding the right distance is definitely tricky! Good leaders need space to spread their wings and fly, but from time to time they need support and guidance from someone experienced. Sometimes they need to be forced to make decisions and lead others and other times they need nurturing and care. But after walking thoughtfully through the minefield of raising up a new leader, God's Kingdom is strengthened.
The last observation I noticed was the reason why the apostles just didn't solve the challenge themselves. Why didn't they just serve the widows the food. Seems like a reasonably good way to spend their time and resources, right? On the surface it does. But dig a little deeper and we discover that the Apostles (only 12 in number) were commissioned with another important task: "teaching the Word of God". This gives us clarity in how we are to approach church. We need the teaching of the Word of God as well as serving the needs of others. One without the other makes for a weak Gospel.
APPLICATION
I need to create an environment where both the teaching of the Word of God is a top priority (nurture teachers) and developing leaders/ministers to serve the needy is also a top priority. I need to make sure we, as a church, are clear about this. I need to nurture and support young leaders by teaching and providing opportunities to lead and I need to give space for them to fly while being available to help when necessary.
PRAYER
Father, Give me wisdom and discernment to lead Your people well. Help me to raise up a new generation of leaders who will represent You well. In Jesus name, Amen
Friday, January 30
Thursday, January 29
We will Obey
SCRIPTURE
"Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey." (Exodus 24:7)
OBSERVATION
The commandments were in the hands of Moses who was instructed to give them God's people.
Leadership requires a strength to obey God. As leaders we have to resist the temptation to please or offend others, when a message must be spoken. When direction is needed for straying people, misguided convictions or attitudes, a leader must step in to represent the truth of God's commandments. A leader often has to point to truth north...even when it might hurt or be more difficult than just going in the current direction we're headed.
APPLICATION
As a leader, I've been faced situations where I needed to speak truth into someone's life - at the expense of possibly hurting their feelings if they took things the wrong way. As a leader is a church, speaking truth into someone's life (when it's painful or it's about accountability) can come with a huge price. The person on the other end of the conversation can choose to leave the church. I always hope that people would respond with great, willing, humble hearts. But the reality is that we, the people, don't like to be told what to do, how to do it and TO DO IT!
Today, I want my heart's response to God to always be - "yes Lord, I will do everything you ask of me - I will listen and obey."
PRAYER
Yes, Father! I choose You, Your ways, Your instructions and commands. I will obey You!
"Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey." (Exodus 24:7)
OBSERVATION
The commandments were in the hands of Moses who was instructed to give them God's people.
Leadership requires a strength to obey God. As leaders we have to resist the temptation to please or offend others, when a message must be spoken. When direction is needed for straying people, misguided convictions or attitudes, a leader must step in to represent the truth of God's commandments. A leader often has to point to truth north...even when it might hurt or be more difficult than just going in the current direction we're headed.
APPLICATION
As a leader, I've been faced situations where I needed to speak truth into someone's life - at the expense of possibly hurting their feelings if they took things the wrong way. As a leader is a church, speaking truth into someone's life (when it's painful or it's about accountability) can come with a huge price. The person on the other end of the conversation can choose to leave the church. I always hope that people would respond with great, willing, humble hearts. But the reality is that we, the people, don't like to be told what to do, how to do it and TO DO IT!
Today, I want my heart's response to God to always be - "yes Lord, I will do everything you ask of me - I will listen and obey."
PRAYER
Yes, Father! I choose You, Your ways, Your instructions and commands. I will obey You!
Wednesday, January 28
Intentional Living
SCRIPTURE"These are the laws you are to set before them..." (Exodus 21:1)
OBSERVATION
It was a brief and short introduction to a litany of laws to follow. Laws which listed everything from treatment of slaves to personal injuries, laws that concerned oxen and donkeys to immoralities and offerings. Laws, laws and more laws that would set any person's mind on information overload when reading it for the first time.
But, there was a greater reason why the Lord outlined these laws to the people. It was at a critical juncture in their journey. Remember, it could be over 2 million people who had just left the land of Egypt and had broken free from the hand of Pharaoh. Not only did they leave Egypt, however; they were leaving one of the most civilized societies of the world at that time. From a land of law and order, the Israelites could easily slip into a nation of chaos and confusion. And God knew they needed to have certain parameters and boundaries established if they were to truly live free, as was His plan for their future.
His laws weren't only about personal injuries, oxen and donkey. In essence each law spelled out an action and a consequence. To bring order to this new society, the people needed to understand that for every action there would be a direct and immediate consequence. Without such laws, chaos would naturally result, as it was further revealed in the people's rebellious creation of the "golden calf."
APPLICATION
It's a lesson I need to take to heart today, as well. Life isn't a game of chance, but a series of consequences that follow the actions that I decide to take. Whether in my thoughts, decisions, even in my interaction with others, there will be a direct and immediate consequence for everything that I do or choose to engage in. If there weren't any, life would be purposeless and without order. The question, then, what is the intended consequence that I wish to experience, then rewind the tape and take a look at my actions to see whether it aligns consistently with the intended result. For example, if I wish to see my marriage flourish, or my children growing up with a memorable childhood experience with dad, what am I doing today that will produce this consequence in my life? Sometimes we don't take the time to consider the consequences first, and end up living reactionary and inconsequential lives. I guess I'm talking about living with intention.
PRAYER
Lord, as I look at a brand new day, help me to live my life according to Your truths, understanding the consequences for every action that I take. May I live more intentional with You and for You in all that I do.
Like Barnabas
SCRIPTURE
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:32-37)
OBSERVATION
This seems to be a picture of the early church in action. As a result of the resurrection of Jesus, the Jesus followers made sure that the needy people among them had help.
APPLICATION
Maybe we ought to reclaim this WAY of living in our day. Yesterday was Noah's 9th birthday. He wanted to end his day at Urban Restoration to put food in grocery bags and hand them out to the needy in Charlotte. We handed out 138 bags of groceries and we were able to tell/show lots of people that Jesus loves them and so do we. Thank you, Noah, for sharing your day like that.
PRAYER
Lord, I am humbled by my own son (who was a little like Barnabas yesterday) who gave something he had (his birthday) to help others.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 36Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:32-37)
OBSERVATION
This seems to be a picture of the early church in action. As a result of the resurrection of Jesus, the Jesus followers made sure that the needy people among them had help.
APPLICATION
Maybe we ought to reclaim this WAY of living in our day. Yesterday was Noah's 9th birthday. He wanted to end his day at Urban Restoration to put food in grocery bags and hand them out to the needy in Charlotte. We handed out 138 bags of groceries and we were able to tell/show lots of people that Jesus loves them and so do we. Thank you, Noah, for sharing your day like that.
PRAYER
Lord, I am humbled by my own son (who was a little like Barnabas yesterday) who gave something he had (his birthday) to help others.
Tuesday, January 27
Leaders develop leaders who develop more leaders
SCRIPTURE
13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?"
15 Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws."
17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied." (Exodus 18:13-22)
OBSERVATION
Leadership. Part of what Jethro was showing Moses was how to be a leader. One leader cannot do it all. God never intended us leaders to carry everything by ourselves. Leadership can be lonely. But if we don't invest ourselves in training others to step forward and lead, we will only cripple our own leadership potential and injure lots of people who we will disappoint because we're too busy or we've burnt out under all the pressure. Leaders develop leaders...who develop more leaders.
APPLICATION
Who am I developing? What kid of leaders am I developing? Do they know they are being developed into leaders who will lead and develop more leaders? That's my mission.
PRAYER
Thank you, God, for calling me out to lead. Help me as I attempt to call out new leaders and develop them into leader reproducing machines. For Your glory.
Friday, January 23
Jesus' will or My will?
SCRIPTURE
"...But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted. And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will." (Luke 23:23-25)
OBSERVATION
Just like the people calling for Jesus’ crucifixion, I too can be insistent on getting my way. And like them, if I am not careful, my voice can prevail and my demand granted.
I am not much different, at times, from the very ones that were behind the Galgotha scene. And here is the phrase that struck my heart: "and he [Pilate] delivered Jesus to their will."
Jesus, when "delivered to my will," can be molded and fashioned to my desire. He can be shaped to fit my wishes and bent to match my purposes. How often I think I have wanted Jesus "delivered to my will." Shane Claiborne says his prayer life has shifted from "I'm trying to convince God to do something for me...to...In my prayers, now, I'm trying to convince myself to do what God wants."
APPLICATION
Today I am brought to my knees for the many times I have joined in with the crowd demanding that Jesus be delivered to my will. I must be aware of any tendency in me to slip, either intentionally or inadvertently, into having Jesus "delivered into my will." I must subject my will to His, not His to mine! It will require me to think more deeply and to be wise about my plans.
I cannot be waffling or wavering. I'm going God's way, submitting my will to His, and choosing to be wholly His. I must think and rethink His will for me, my family, and for my ministry. I love what He has called me to do. But I can get distracted! So, I refuse to be captivated by culture or be manipulated by critics. I will not be motivated by praise or derailed be problems. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I choose to step aside from the crowd and stay focused on Your will for me rather than mine for You. Please forgive me for times past when I have tried to make my will and plans, Yours. I will run the race YOU have set before me, fixing my eyes on You and You alone!
"...But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted. And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will." (Luke 23:23-25)
OBSERVATION
Just like the people calling for Jesus’ crucifixion, I too can be insistent on getting my way. And like them, if I am not careful, my voice can prevail and my demand granted.
I am not much different, at times, from the very ones that were behind the Galgotha scene. And here is the phrase that struck my heart: "and he [Pilate] delivered Jesus to their will."
Jesus, when "delivered to my will," can be molded and fashioned to my desire. He can be shaped to fit my wishes and bent to match my purposes. How often I think I have wanted Jesus "delivered to my will." Shane Claiborne says his prayer life has shifted from "I'm trying to convince God to do something for me...to...In my prayers, now, I'm trying to convince myself to do what God wants."
APPLICATION
Today I am brought to my knees for the many times I have joined in with the crowd demanding that Jesus be delivered to my will. I must be aware of any tendency in me to slip, either intentionally or inadvertently, into having Jesus "delivered into my will." I must subject my will to His, not His to mine! It will require me to think more deeply and to be wise about my plans.
I cannot be waffling or wavering. I'm going God's way, submitting my will to His, and choosing to be wholly His. I must think and rethink His will for me, my family, and for my ministry. I love what He has called me to do. But I can get distracted! So, I refuse to be captivated by culture or be manipulated by critics. I will not be motivated by praise or derailed be problems. I'll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I choose to step aside from the crowd and stay focused on Your will for me rather than mine for You. Please forgive me for times past when I have tried to make my will and plans, Yours. I will run the race YOU have set before me, fixing my eyes on You and You alone!
Wednesday, January 21
Our Double-Life
SCRIPTURE
The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known." Exodus 2:14
OBSERVATION
What an interesting story to include in the life of Moses. Coming upon a fight between an Egyptian man and a Hebrew man (who were enslaved by the Egyptians at this time...and, by the way, Moses was a Hebrew, raised by Egyptians). Moses tried to break up the fight and ended up killing the Egyptian man and buried his body in the sand. Before Moses killed him, the bible says "...Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." It's interesting that Moses tried to live a double life. He had a secret life and a public life. That kind of internal schism might have come from the fact that he was a poor Hebrew man raised by an elite Egyptian family. The Hebrew side of his past was a secret.
APPLICATION
I guess we all struggle with the "secret double-life syndrome" that Moses experienced. We live with sin, anger, discontentment, lies and self-centeredness. But we put on a front with the public side of our life. We want to be liked, accepted, valued and loved. Yet we have this other side that we hide. It's ugly. And we deceive ourselves into thinking the two sides of our lives (our public side and our secret side) never connect. The idea that one side (our hidden side) will never influence or affect the other side (our public side) is a total lie. Jesus came to free us from our hidden side. In fact He purchased the ugliest parts of our hidden side on the cross. We're free. We just have to live like we're free.
PRAYER
Lord, Thank you for freeing me from my hidden side. Help me to live with authenticity in every area of my life, no matter who I am around.
The man said, "Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "What I did must have become known." Exodus 2:14
OBSERVATION
What an interesting story to include in the life of Moses. Coming upon a fight between an Egyptian man and a Hebrew man (who were enslaved by the Egyptians at this time...and, by the way, Moses was a Hebrew, raised by Egyptians). Moses tried to break up the fight and ended up killing the Egyptian man and buried his body in the sand. Before Moses killed him, the bible says "...Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." It's interesting that Moses tried to live a double life. He had a secret life and a public life. That kind of internal schism might have come from the fact that he was a poor Hebrew man raised by an elite Egyptian family. The Hebrew side of his past was a secret.
APPLICATION
I guess we all struggle with the "secret double-life syndrome" that Moses experienced. We live with sin, anger, discontentment, lies and self-centeredness. But we put on a front with the public side of our life. We want to be liked, accepted, valued and loved. Yet we have this other side that we hide. It's ugly. And we deceive ourselves into thinking the two sides of our lives (our public side and our secret side) never connect. The idea that one side (our hidden side) will never influence or affect the other side (our public side) is a total lie. Jesus came to free us from our hidden side. In fact He purchased the ugliest parts of our hidden side on the cross. We're free. We just have to live like we're free.
PRAYER
Lord, Thank you for freeing me from my hidden side. Help me to live with authenticity in every area of my life, no matter who I am around.
Saturday, January 17
Approaching God
SCRIPTURE
"But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple." (Psalm 5:7)
OBSERVATION
David reveals his heart's struggle with his enemies and writes of his dependence upon God's character. God is good, trustworthy, righteous, faithful - He is fair and dependable!
Too often, I approach God in a demanding way, barging into His presence with cares, needs, wants and desires, but I lack reverence. I approach God in the same way I go to the mall. An opportunity for me to pick and choose the stuff I want for me. It's as if God is to serve me at every call I make, to be ready to meet my needs whenever I need Him to. After all, I've been told that I have a PERSONAL relationship with God. It's not that He minds me barging into His presence like this, but when I feel like my kids want me for what I can give them rather than for who I am as their daddy, it bothers my heart. As an imperfect dad...I get a little irritated at that.
I don't want my relationship with God to be based on what He can do, or does, for me. I want God to know that I love Him for who He is! My God IS enough.
APPLICATION
I need to be reminded (through stories in the Bible) that God is God and it's a miracle (and a gift) that I get to approach. I don't want to take that for granted.
PRAYER
Father, I LOVE YOU...for WHO YOU ARE!!!
"But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple." (Psalm 5:7)
OBSERVATION
David reveals his heart's struggle with his enemies and writes of his dependence upon God's character. God is good, trustworthy, righteous, faithful - He is fair and dependable!
Too often, I approach God in a demanding way, barging into His presence with cares, needs, wants and desires, but I lack reverence. I approach God in the same way I go to the mall. An opportunity for me to pick and choose the stuff I want for me. It's as if God is to serve me at every call I make, to be ready to meet my needs whenever I need Him to. After all, I've been told that I have a PERSONAL relationship with God. It's not that He minds me barging into His presence like this, but when I feel like my kids want me for what I can give them rather than for who I am as their daddy, it bothers my heart. As an imperfect dad...I get a little irritated at that.
I don't want my relationship with God to be based on what He can do, or does, for me. I want God to know that I love Him for who He is! My God IS enough.
APPLICATION
I need to be reminded (through stories in the Bible) that God is God and it's a miracle (and a gift) that I get to approach. I don't want to take that for granted.
PRAYER
Father, I LOVE YOU...for WHO YOU ARE!!!
Wednesday, January 14
Eat with who?
SCRIPTURE
Luke 14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
OBSERVATION
Eating is habit we all have. Social eating (that is, eating with people) is typically how we eat our meals. We eat with family, friends, peers, business associates, neighbors and such. That's a good thing. I tend to organize many of my breakfast and lunch meals around meeting with people...and eating.
Jesus takes something we do anyway and presents another function that eating (socially) can accomplish: blessing people with no strings attached. Orient some of your meals around those who can not repay you, ever.
APPLICATION
I'm going to sign up to volunteer at Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen in Huntersville. I'm also going to continue to serve @ Urban Restoration. This past Thanksgiving, our church helped provide a sit down, candlelight meal for the close to 200 people who come each week for groceries. Most of them could never afford a meal like that. None of them had the means to repay. It was beautiful and we were all blessed.
PRAYER
God, thank you for blessing me with so much. I am rich. Thank you for giving me opportunities to bless others with what you've blessed me with: life and love.
Luke 14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
OBSERVATION
Eating is habit we all have. Social eating (that is, eating with people) is typically how we eat our meals. We eat with family, friends, peers, business associates, neighbors and such. That's a good thing. I tend to organize many of my breakfast and lunch meals around meeting with people...and eating.
Jesus takes something we do anyway and presents another function that eating (socially) can accomplish: blessing people with no strings attached. Orient some of your meals around those who can not repay you, ever.
APPLICATION
I'm going to sign up to volunteer at Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen in Huntersville. I'm also going to continue to serve @ Urban Restoration. This past Thanksgiving, our church helped provide a sit down, candlelight meal for the close to 200 people who come each week for groceries. Most of them could never afford a meal like that. None of them had the means to repay. It was beautiful and we were all blessed.
PRAYER
God, thank you for blessing me with so much. I am rich. Thank you for giving me opportunities to bless others with what you've blessed me with: life and love.
Tuesday, January 13
Jacob & Esau
SCRIPTURE
"No, please!" said Jacob. "If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably." (Genesis 33:10)
OBSERVATION
The meeting between brothers at odds, finally happened. How tense the anticipation!! Esau, the brother who was slighted by his mom and brother, after years and years of tension (to say the least) with Jacob, finally met face to face with him.
Boy, did Jacob come with a boat-load of gifts for Esau, as if to distract or divert Esau's offense towards him. But this meeting would be a favorable reception for both Jacob...and Esau!
Favorable receptions are so fulfilling!! Beyond words, in a life of tension, sin, mishaps, evil deeds, words....God is a reconciler. He is a healer of broken relationships. His will is for us to experience healing in our relationships, especially when there is division, tension and odds against one another. God is all about unity, even in the midst of diversity.
APPLICATION
Today, I don't have any relationships close to the one Esau and Jacob had. As an application, I should ask myself: Am I finding favor in the eyes of those I have had "tough encounters" with? Am I received favorably by those I've had tensions with? My integrity is all I've got and it's so important to me, because I know it impacts those who are observing my life and my words to see if they match. I am grateful to God for the people in my life who give me favorable receptions. The people who appreciate me...for me. I want to be that kind of person, too.
PRAYER
Lord,
Thanks for Your power, grace and love to develop a healthy relationship with YOU!! Now, help me to cultivate healthy relationships with those closest to me, and those around me.
Thanks for receiving me favorably!
"No, please!" said Jacob. "If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably." (Genesis 33:10)
OBSERVATION
The meeting between brothers at odds, finally happened. How tense the anticipation!! Esau, the brother who was slighted by his mom and brother, after years and years of tension (to say the least) with Jacob, finally met face to face with him.
Boy, did Jacob come with a boat-load of gifts for Esau, as if to distract or divert Esau's offense towards him. But this meeting would be a favorable reception for both Jacob...and Esau!
Favorable receptions are so fulfilling!! Beyond words, in a life of tension, sin, mishaps, evil deeds, words....God is a reconciler. He is a healer of broken relationships. His will is for us to experience healing in our relationships, especially when there is division, tension and odds against one another. God is all about unity, even in the midst of diversity.
APPLICATION
Today, I don't have any relationships close to the one Esau and Jacob had. As an application, I should ask myself: Am I finding favor in the eyes of those I have had "tough encounters" with? Am I received favorably by those I've had tensions with? My integrity is all I've got and it's so important to me, because I know it impacts those who are observing my life and my words to see if they match. I am grateful to God for the people in my life who give me favorable receptions. The people who appreciate me...for me. I want to be that kind of person, too.
PRAYER
Lord,
Thanks for Your power, grace and love to develop a healthy relationship with YOU!! Now, help me to cultivate healthy relationships with those closest to me, and those around me.
Thanks for receiving me favorably!
Monday, January 12
Jesus was difficult...but clear
SCRIPTURE
"Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?" (Luke 9:23-25)
OBSERVATION
As I read through Scripture, I'm struck with the ways in which Jesus had a way with words. His words had such clarity to them. People who heard what Jesus would say might not have totally understood everything Jesus said (not even His disciples always understood)...but that might be because Jesus knew that His audience was not just the people who were present when He spoke. His audience is also you and I. Jesus is still saying to the "crowds" "If any of you wants to follow me...."
God is on the move. Jesus did not say "If anyone wants to receive me." He said "Follow Me." And Jesus was also clear about the fact that following Him was a life and death deal. Death to myself (my selfishness, insecurities, fears, control, greed, pride, anxiety) so that Jesus could bring new life to me. The life that's found only when I surrender my life to Jesus. That's pretty hard...but very clear.
APPLICATION
I can pretend that I am in that "crowd" hearing Jesus look around and clearly describe what it takes to follow Him. I hear the invitation to be His disciple and I can't get my hand up fast enough. "I want to follow You, Jesus! I'm willing to pay whatever price. Whatever it takes." So as a Jesus follower, I will get up tomorrow morning and, once again, die to my "selfish ways" and allow Jesus to live in and through me.
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the invitation to follow You. I think of my friends and neighbors who only know of You from a distance. They are so confused about who You really are. I pray that You would choose to use me and my family (as we die to ourselves and folow You) to help them to see the real You. Please grant us influence in their lives, and help us to represent You well. Thank You for the amazing opportunities You give me. I love honor and worship You.
In Jesus name, Amen
"Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?" (Luke 9:23-25)
OBSERVATION
As I read through Scripture, I'm struck with the ways in which Jesus had a way with words. His words had such clarity to them. People who heard what Jesus would say might not have totally understood everything Jesus said (not even His disciples always understood)...but that might be because Jesus knew that His audience was not just the people who were present when He spoke. His audience is also you and I. Jesus is still saying to the "crowds" "If any of you wants to follow me...."
God is on the move. Jesus did not say "If anyone wants to receive me." He said "Follow Me." And Jesus was also clear about the fact that following Him was a life and death deal. Death to myself (my selfishness, insecurities, fears, control, greed, pride, anxiety) so that Jesus could bring new life to me. The life that's found only when I surrender my life to Jesus. That's pretty hard...but very clear.
APPLICATION
I can pretend that I am in that "crowd" hearing Jesus look around and clearly describe what it takes to follow Him. I hear the invitation to be His disciple and I can't get my hand up fast enough. "I want to follow You, Jesus! I'm willing to pay whatever price. Whatever it takes." So as a Jesus follower, I will get up tomorrow morning and, once again, die to my "selfish ways" and allow Jesus to live in and through me.
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the invitation to follow You. I think of my friends and neighbors who only know of You from a distance. They are so confused about who You really are. I pray that You would choose to use me and my family (as we die to ourselves and folow You) to help them to see the real You. Please grant us influence in their lives, and help us to represent You well. Thank You for the amazing opportunities You give me. I love honor and worship You.
In Jesus name, Amen
Wednesday, January 7
Hospitality: Learning a lesson from Abraham
SCRIPTURE
Genesis 18
1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 3 He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say."
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs [b] of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread."
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
OBSERVATION
I couldn't just pick one of these verses. This whole scene in interesting to me. Abraham is like 90+ and we pick up the story where The Lord comes to visit Abraham as three strangers. You'll notice all the action words used to describe Abraham's response to his new guests.
Abraham:
looked & saw,
hurried from where he was,
went to meet them,
bowed down in respect,
gets them water, food and makes a way for them to clean themselves.
hurried
prepared
I am struck by the way Abraham showed hospitality to these strangers. He noticed them. He moved toward them. He made room in his life for strangers. He provided for them. He was thoughtful to think of their needs.
APPLICATION
A year ago, I would have not characterized my life (and our family) as having the gift of hospitality. We were inspired and blessed by those who obviously exercised their gift of hospitality, but we never thought we could actually do/be that. It's too difficult. It costs too much. Too much work to prepare to have people in your house. It makes us too anxious. We never felt like we could relax AND have people coming over to our house. Plus, who would want to come hang out with our family? We had young kids. We'd rather go over to someone's house who loved being hospitable. Look what God can do. We now host strangers in our house on a weekly basis. Most of these people were strangers to begin with and now have morphed into close friends. Our family made a conscience decision (not an easy decision) to open our home to our neighbors on Monday nights. We were primarily hoping for people who would not consider themselves Jesus followers of church attenders. Over the last 6 months of doing this, we have gotten a lot more comfortable with the exercise of living a life of hospitality. It's become a beautiful part of our family life. One application I have from this is that I want to communicate in our staff blog about lessons learned from practicing the ministry of hospitality. It's really a lost art that I want us to recover.
PRAYER
Father, without Your hospitality, I would not have been offered the invitation and the gift of being a part of Your family. Thank you for noticing me and including me not only as Your friend, but as Your adopted son.
Because of Jesus, Amen.
Genesis 18
1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 3 He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say."
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs [b] of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread."
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
OBSERVATION
I couldn't just pick one of these verses. This whole scene in interesting to me. Abraham is like 90+ and we pick up the story where The Lord comes to visit Abraham as three strangers. You'll notice all the action words used to describe Abraham's response to his new guests.
Abraham:
looked & saw,
hurried from where he was,
went to meet them,
bowed down in respect,
gets them water, food and makes a way for them to clean themselves.
hurried
prepared
I am struck by the way Abraham showed hospitality to these strangers. He noticed them. He moved toward them. He made room in his life for strangers. He provided for them. He was thoughtful to think of their needs.
APPLICATION
A year ago, I would have not characterized my life (and our family) as having the gift of hospitality. We were inspired and blessed by those who obviously exercised their gift of hospitality, but we never thought we could actually do/be that. It's too difficult. It costs too much. Too much work to prepare to have people in your house. It makes us too anxious. We never felt like we could relax AND have people coming over to our house. Plus, who would want to come hang out with our family? We had young kids. We'd rather go over to someone's house who loved being hospitable. Look what God can do. We now host strangers in our house on a weekly basis. Most of these people were strangers to begin with and now have morphed into close friends. Our family made a conscience decision (not an easy decision) to open our home to our neighbors on Monday nights. We were primarily hoping for people who would not consider themselves Jesus followers of church attenders. Over the last 6 months of doing this, we have gotten a lot more comfortable with the exercise of living a life of hospitality. It's become a beautiful part of our family life. One application I have from this is that I want to communicate in our staff blog about lessons learned from practicing the ministry of hospitality. It's really a lost art that I want us to recover.
PRAYER
Father, without Your hospitality, I would not have been offered the invitation and the gift of being a part of Your family. Thank you for noticing me and including me not only as Your friend, but as Your adopted son.
Because of Jesus, Amen.
Saturday, January 3
Do I stand out in God's Eyes
SCRIPTURE
"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. 9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." (Genesis 3:8)
OBSERVATION
What was it about Noah that turned God's eyes and heart towards him? Just a few short chapters into the beginning of the story, God is already grieved, saddened and tore up by the fact that His very own creation had turned their hearts and lives away from love, devotion and obedience to Him. But here's Noah, the standout in a world of evil.
What would make God turn His eyes and heart toward me? Do I standout in God's eyes?
APPLICATION
I want to stand out in God's eyes. Yet does my life, convictions, display of attitudes, heart and thoughts turn God's head to favor me? Does He do a double take because I stick out in the crowd?
Today, I want to stick out to my God! It will take living a life of integrity - from my heart, motives, thoughts...this is where my battle is. Walking with God in a way that makes me standout would be keeping my heart, thoughts and attitudes clear and pure from worldly sin-natured thinking.
I also want to be the best husband and father in the world. Maybe that's where I start to stand out in God's eyes.
PRAYER
Thanks so much, God, for favoring me this morning to sense Your pleasure and Your presence as I read through Your Word. Help me to live holy and blameless around my family and others. I want to walk with You every step of this day! I want to follow You in such a way that it leaves a clear path for my family to follow in. The path that leads to You.
"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. 9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." (Genesis 3:8)
OBSERVATION
What was it about Noah that turned God's eyes and heart towards him? Just a few short chapters into the beginning of the story, God is already grieved, saddened and tore up by the fact that His very own creation had turned their hearts and lives away from love, devotion and obedience to Him. But here's Noah, the standout in a world of evil.
What would make God turn His eyes and heart toward me? Do I standout in God's eyes?
APPLICATION
I want to stand out in God's eyes. Yet does my life, convictions, display of attitudes, heart and thoughts turn God's head to favor me? Does He do a double take because I stick out in the crowd?
Today, I want to stick out to my God! It will take living a life of integrity - from my heart, motives, thoughts...this is where my battle is. Walking with God in a way that makes me standout would be keeping my heart, thoughts and attitudes clear and pure from worldly sin-natured thinking.
I also want to be the best husband and father in the world. Maybe that's where I start to stand out in God's eyes.
PRAYER
Thanks so much, God, for favoring me this morning to sense Your pleasure and Your presence as I read through Your Word. Help me to live holy and blameless around my family and others. I want to walk with You every step of this day! I want to follow You in such a way that it leaves a clear path for my family to follow in. The path that leads to You.
Friday, January 2
In the beginning...My Heart
SCRIPTURE
"Who told you that you were naked?" the Lord God asked. "Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?" (Genesis 3:11)
"You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master." (Genesis 4:7)
OBSERVATION
The fall of man: Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent. They decided to disobey God their Lord and Creator. I wonder what the world would have been like if they had never disobeyed (sinned)? Would it have been completely different than we know it today or would it be somewhat recognizable to us today...but without sin and the dark side of life? It's hard to imagine, and impossible to know, but it seems like it would have been more like heaven on earth. God gave us the ability to choose to follow Him willingly or to go our own way willingly...as a result we seem to be destined to live in a world sandwiched between evil's dark ways and the light and glory of our Heavenly Father.
In chapter 4 we learn that Cain's gift to the Lord was passed over for Abel's, infuriating Cain and leading him to murder his brother Abel. Why was one gift rejected for the other? I have to believe that it's not literally the gift (fruits and vegetables vs. livestock) but more the attitude with which it was given. It's all about the heart behind the gift.
We'll all be accepted and rejected to some extent. The important thing will be how we deal with it. This is so true when it comes to planting a church. If Cain had accepted the Lord's choice with dignity and grace, he would have flourished and excelled, but instead he allowed sin to turn him to hatred and bitterness and he lost all that was most important to him. In verse 7 the Lord warns about the danger of letting sin control us and the blessing of living right.
APPLICATION
I need to be gracious in acceptance and rejection. It's the attitude of my heart that will be judged, not the works of my hands. Sin is powerful and strikes at the most opportune times, so we have to always be on guard and watchful because the enemy wants to control and destroy us. This is about a heart check. My heart.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
Grant me the strength and courage to live a life acceptable and pleasing to You. Please help me to do what is right in Your eyes. May I be gracious in all my dealings and extend grace when I've been wronged. My heart hurts when I feel like I've been rejected. Help my heart to grow and stay tender and in tune with your heart...in the midst of feeling rejected by people.
In Jesus name,
Amen
"Who told you that you were naked?" the Lord God asked. "Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?" (Genesis 3:11)
"You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master." (Genesis 4:7)
OBSERVATION
The fall of man: Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent. They decided to disobey God their Lord and Creator. I wonder what the world would have been like if they had never disobeyed (sinned)? Would it have been completely different than we know it today or would it be somewhat recognizable to us today...but without sin and the dark side of life? It's hard to imagine, and impossible to know, but it seems like it would have been more like heaven on earth. God gave us the ability to choose to follow Him willingly or to go our own way willingly...as a result we seem to be destined to live in a world sandwiched between evil's dark ways and the light and glory of our Heavenly Father.
In chapter 4 we learn that Cain's gift to the Lord was passed over for Abel's, infuriating Cain and leading him to murder his brother Abel. Why was one gift rejected for the other? I have to believe that it's not literally the gift (fruits and vegetables vs. livestock) but more the attitude with which it was given. It's all about the heart behind the gift.
We'll all be accepted and rejected to some extent. The important thing will be how we deal with it. This is so true when it comes to planting a church. If Cain had accepted the Lord's choice with dignity and grace, he would have flourished and excelled, but instead he allowed sin to turn him to hatred and bitterness and he lost all that was most important to him. In verse 7 the Lord warns about the danger of letting sin control us and the blessing of living right.
APPLICATION
I need to be gracious in acceptance and rejection. It's the attitude of my heart that will be judged, not the works of my hands. Sin is powerful and strikes at the most opportune times, so we have to always be on guard and watchful because the enemy wants to control and destroy us. This is about a heart check. My heart.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
Grant me the strength and courage to live a life acceptable and pleasing to You. Please help me to do what is right in Your eyes. May I be gracious in all my dealings and extend grace when I've been wronged. My heart hurts when I feel like I've been rejected. Help my heart to grow and stay tender and in tune with your heart...in the midst of feeling rejected by people.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Thursday, January 1
Make Room for the Impossible
SCRIPTURE
"The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." (Luke 1:19-20)
OBSERVATION
His name was Zacharias. He honored the Law of God. He loved God and he worked as a priest in the temple. One day as he was performing his duties, he found himself being chosen to light incense before the Lord, inside the temple. This man of God walked in, and was amazed to see an angel waiting for him, an angel sent by God.
Fear struck the deepest chords of his heart. As he regained his breath, and maybe as some of the blood began to return to his face, the angel told him the good news. He was going to have a baby!
I think that the angel Gabriel might have been expecting joy and excitement...maybe even a "thank God," but he received no such response. Zacharias doubted his words, and asked for a sign. Doubt had struck, and left no room for the miraculous. Therefore the angel made Zacharias mute (he could not talk) until the baby was born.
APPLICATION
Doubt can strike us all! Sometimes I can find myself in the same shoes as Zacharias. I place God in a box. My mind tells me what God can and cannot do, and I forget to leave room for the miraculous. I forget that God is good. I forget the promises, and the provisions that are set apart for those who follow Jesus. I must remember that the Bible says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him, "Hebrews 11:16.
This year, I want to be a person who makes room from the miraculous!
PRAYER
Father,
Forgive me for crowding out the possibility that You might be doing a miracle, even now. I guess my faith starts with these two words..."I believe!" Help my unbelief when it strikes. In Jesus Name, Amen.
"The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." (Luke 1:19-20)
OBSERVATION
His name was Zacharias. He honored the Law of God. He loved God and he worked as a priest in the temple. One day as he was performing his duties, he found himself being chosen to light incense before the Lord, inside the temple. This man of God walked in, and was amazed to see an angel waiting for him, an angel sent by God.
Fear struck the deepest chords of his heart. As he regained his breath, and maybe as some of the blood began to return to his face, the angel told him the good news. He was going to have a baby!
I think that the angel Gabriel might have been expecting joy and excitement...maybe even a "thank God," but he received no such response. Zacharias doubted his words, and asked for a sign. Doubt had struck, and left no room for the miraculous. Therefore the angel made Zacharias mute (he could not talk) until the baby was born.
APPLICATION
Doubt can strike us all! Sometimes I can find myself in the same shoes as Zacharias. I place God in a box. My mind tells me what God can and cannot do, and I forget to leave room for the miraculous. I forget that God is good. I forget the promises, and the provisions that are set apart for those who follow Jesus. I must remember that the Bible says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him, "Hebrews 11:16.
This year, I want to be a person who makes room from the miraculous!
PRAYER
Father,
Forgive me for crowding out the possibility that You might be doing a miracle, even now. I guess my faith starts with these two words..."I believe!" Help my unbelief when it strikes. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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