Archive for October, 2006

Commentary for October 30-November 5

Tuesday, October 31st, 2006

Isaiah 57:15–Jeremiah 6:14

The Big Picture

Isaiah closes with prophecies about the Lord’s future kingdom, in which the wolf and lamb will feed together (65:25). About 100 years after Isaiah dies, Jeremiah comes on the scene. He is called “the weeping prophet” because of his great sadness over the sinful rebellion of the Jewish people. Jeremiah warns that Jerusalem will fall and the people will be taken into exile.

What to Watch For

In Jeremiah chapter 1, pay close attention to God’s instructions to the prophet and the protection God promises to give to him.

Practical Applications for Today

The job that God gave to Jeremiah was not a pleasant one. Jeremiah had a difficult message of judgment for the Jewish people, and he knew the people would reject him. That’s why God’s promise of protection was so important.

Many of us today are afraid to speak about our faith or live a godly lifestyle because we don’t want to be rejected by others. Is that a fear you struggle with? What encouragement does Paul give us in 2 Timothy 1:7? Are you trusting God to protect you?

Philippians–Colossians 2:7

The Big Picture

Paul is in difficult circumstances when he writes to the Philippians–he is in jail, and realizes he might not have long to live. He writes a letter of thanks and encouragement to the believers in the church at Philippi, thanking them for sending Epaphroditus to minister to his needs. Chapter 2 is filled primarily with encouragement, chapter 3 with warnings, and chapter 4 with some final exhortations.

It appears that some heretical teachings about Christ were spreading in the city of Colossae, and the apostle Paul writes to warn against these teachings about “deeper spiritual knowledge.” Paul writes to say that Christ alone is all we need, and that He alone is the source of true wisdom and knowledge.

What to Watch For

In Philippians, notice Paul’s joyful attitude in the midst of his difficult circumstances.

In Colossians chapter 1, note the specifics of what Paul teaches about Christ (for example, in 1:16-17 Paul says Christ is the Creator and Sustainer of all things).

Practical Applications for Today

Philippians

We can still know joy even in difficult circumstances.

Unity in the church comes from putting other people first.

We are commanded not to worry, but to give all our anxieties to God.

Colossians

Christ is the source of everything we need in salvation and the Christian life. Christ is our sufficiency in all things.

No Way Ashamed :: Philippians 1:20

Monday, October 30th, 2006

Philippians 1:20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. NIV

Shame is a powerful emotion. Shame is what we feel when we know that we have dishonored ourselves or others and have caused embarrassment because that failure is known to others.

In this passage, Paul expresses his desire and goal to avoid embarrassing the Lord through any dishonoring behaviors or attitudes. When I realized that he was in prison facing possible death for his faith, his stated goal becomes even more courageous to me. It is hard enough not to bring embarrassment to God when things are going relatively well.

When I act like a spoiled customer because I did not get fast enough or good enough service, I bring shame to the Kingdom of God. How pathetic is that? Paul faces death and keeps the honor of God in mind, I have to wait a couple of extra minutes for my fast food and I complain and whine that I am being persecuted!

Perhaps the idea here is to keep an eternal perspective no matter what my circumstances are like. What will bring God positive attention instead of people looking at me and thinking “If that is what following God does to people’s attitudes then I don’t want to follow God.”

Father, please help me to live this passage of scripture out daily so that I may bring you honor and respect.

Armed but not dangerous?

Sunday, October 29th, 2006

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18-19

In chapter 6 of Ephesians Paul gives us a very big hint into his own personel success as a thriving soldier of Christ. It’s not just that he has been fully equipped by God for withstanding anything the evil one may throw at him at any given time but it’s in the moment to moment communication(prayer) that keeps him alert and efficient as a mighty warrior for God. It is so common place to just show up in service of the king and call that good. But God wants so much more for us. A soldier may be fully equipped, but if he falls asleep on the job, and loses touch with headquarters he is good for nothing. Prayer is the Lord’s gift to us to keep us connected and alert as well as helping others stay connected and alert. Our success is dependent on it if we are going to be soldiers who take the offensive against the schemes of the devil. Help me Lord to not just be a soldier in uniform but help me to be one who is actively tearing down the gates of hell.

Before And After

Friday, October 27th, 2006

Ephesians 4:21-24  “Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth this is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception.  Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.  You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness-righteous, holy, and true.”

So this is what happens to a person when they meet Jesus.  Jesus makes a difference in a person’s life to the point that the encounter with Christ creates a life transforming change.  The former way of life gets thrown off, there is a spiritual renewal of thought and attitude.  A person who meets Jesus begins to live differently.  A new nature is displayed.  A follower of Jesus Christ is a new person, they are “created” anew in the likeness of God.  That likeness is characterized by righteousness, holiness, and truthfulness.

It is like there is a before picture and an after picture.  Before JC and after JC.  The before picture is rotten through and through, but the after pic. is that of a person who has been transformed.

Paul is really practical in chapter four verses 17-32.  God speaks through him right to the core of what I think a lot of people, including myself need to hear.

Lord help me to let go of anger, to put away falsehood, to use words of encouragement, to get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, and malicious behavior.  Help me Lord to live a transformed life, a life where I am kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.  Thank you for changing me, forgiving me, and loving me.  Please give me the ability to daily display that to other people.

Grow up!

Thursday, October 26th, 2006

Ephesians 4:12-13 …to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The previous verse (v.11) talks about Christ gifting some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare believers for service, not just a happy life. The purpose of the service is not to make me look good to others or to give me something to keep me busy. The ultimate goal is for me to be in full unity in the faith with fellow believers, to be in full unity with other believers in the knowledge of Christ, to be mature, and finally, to attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Verses 15-16 talk about how all of this happens with love playing a major part in my words and actions.

I remember the days when my children were little and I would frequently find myself wondering, “Are they ever going to grow up?” They certainly did! I wonder if my God ever asks the same of me. Would He say that I have grown up so that I am closer to attaining the entire limit of the fullness of Christ in the past day, month, or year? Love should be more evident today than it was yesterday but not as much as tomorrow in what I say and in what I do as I serve the body of believers. Praise be to God that I will attain that fullness of Christ entirely when I enter heaven.

Lord, I desire to grow today in faith, knowledge, maturity and Christlikeness. Help me to be a willing learner and to see the ways that you would have me to serve others. Help me to see the ways that I need to grow and to be willing to go through the growing pains that may result. Thank you for giving me the chance to grow up in you this day.

Commentary for October 23–29

Wednesday, October 25th, 2006

The first 39 chapters of Isaiah emphasize God’s holiness and justice, with words of condemnation for Israel and the surrounding nations. From chapter 40 onward, the focus is on God’s compassion and grace. God promises that after Israel has been punished, He will restore the people. Isaiah says that the nation has a glorious future ahead.

What to Watch For

The themes of God’s forgiveness and faithfulness. Also, read Isaiah 53:2-12 carefully. Here, we see prophetic words about Jesus, the Suffering Servant.

Practical Applications for Today

  • God cannot let sin go unpunished. When we repent, He is faithful to forgive.
  • Just as God predicted Israel’s fall (which really happened), God has predicted Israel’s restoration (which really will happen someday). We have a God who keeps His promises.

Ephesians

The Big Picture

The apostle Paul spent three years teaching the church at Ephesus. Several years later, while a prisoner, he writes a letter of encouragement to the people in this church. The first three chapters focus on our identity in Christ (who we are, and the spiritual riches we have in Him). Our new identity and our spiritual blessings are to have an affect on how we live, which is the topic of the last three chapters. Put simply, the first three chapters speak of our position in Christ, while the last three speak of our practice in Christ.

What to Watch For

In the first three chapters, watch for the blessings you possess in Christ. You may want to list them. In the last three chapters, look for areas in which you would like to grow (for example, Ephesians 4:29 may catch your attention if you’ve wanted to be more careful about your talk, or Ephesians 5:15-17 may speak to your heart if you’ve wanted to manage your time more wisely).

Practical Applications for Today

  • Everything we have as Christians is because of Christ. Without Him, we cannot grow spiritually strong.
  • God has given us the resources we need to live the Christian life (first three chapters) and the guidance for making the Christian life a reality (last three chapters).
  • Chapter 6 makes it clear that victorious Christian living is a matter of using God’s resources in life’s battles, not our own.

Legalism and Freedom

Wednesday, October 25th, 2006

I want to thank my wife Phares for this thoughtful journal entry.

Ephesians 2:14,15 – For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace.

God went to a lot of trouble making those ordinances. And Moses as well.

The Law brought enmity between people; it encouraged separation. Obviously, it was necessary at the time, but Jesus has torn down the wall of the law deliberately so that those who are divided can now become one new man.

I had one big concern when raising our children in the ministry. I did not want to waste one scintilla of their precious trust on legalism. I knew we were running a marathon and to go the distance we couldn’t carry extra baggage. Parameters yes…you can’t run a race with any efficiency without knowing the boundaries. So scripture would give us our parameters, and I would not add to them. If something were not forbidden in scripture, we did not treat it as if it were. We would, however, make it clear that just because something isn’t forbidden, doesn’t mean it’s wise. Flaunting our liberty is as unattractive as contrived legalism.

When Jesus tore down that wall He was saying to us legalism is no longer necessary. If we are surrendered to Him we walk in the grace of His power.

As I do that, I have neither the desire to control through legalism or offend through an immature need to prove my freedom. Of course, there are times I succumb to one extreme or the other. Usually out of insecurity. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit continues to tutor us, using God’s grace found in his word, bringing balance and efficiency to the race.

Thanking you God for giving us the law, and then giving us Jesus as the fulfillment of the law.

A Heavenly Passport

Tuesday, October 24th, 2006

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.  Ephesians 2:19-20

God is doing one of those “theme” things again in my heart and life. It seems like every message I’ve heard recently whether in church or on our recent College ministry (CCF) retreat, or even converstions with my family and friends have lately been forcing me to face the issue these verses are dealing with. Where is my citizenship?

In context, these verses seems to be speaking about a peace on Earth that comes through unity in faith in Christ. The term citizen however challenges me to think about how I define myself. If what this verse says is true, then I’m not only a citizen of Eugene, or a member of First Baptist, instead I’m a citizen of Heaven and belong to the community of believers who I will be connected to for eternity. What should my life look like if I really believe this?

First off I think about how God has been challenging me with my investments. Investments with money, time, people and personal growth. They all seem to be a bit out of whack right now. Lord please help me find balance and perspective.

Secondly, if I am a citizen of Heaven then why am I here on Earth? The quick answer is that God has a plan for my life, but am I really pursuing that plan? Am I living intentionally, as an ambassador for Christ on Earth, carrying a Heavenly passport? If I was it would be reflected in my speech, love and conduct. Lord, please continue to remind me of Where and to Whom I belong, and help me to live a life that reflects that truth.

He Calls Out the Stars

Monday, October 23rd, 2006

Isaiah 40:26

       Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
       Who created all these?
       He who brings out the starry host one by one,
       and calls them each by name.
       Because of his great power and mighty strength,
       not one of them is missing.

For the last 12 years or so, I have been an astronomy buff.  I love to take my telescope out to a quiet place (sometimes my yard will do) and watch the sky darken and the stars come one by one, into view. First comes Arcturus, the yellow-coloured Guardian of the Bear in the west.  Shortly after, blue-white Vega shows up almost directly overhead, only 26 light-years away (a tremendously vast distance, but not in astronomical terms).  Then, I see white-hot Altair and Deneb.  Deneb is the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus (The Swan).  Cygnus looks a lot like a flying swan, but also like a cross.  It’s sometimes called the Northern Cross.  As the sky darkens further, a double-star called Alberio can be seen.  In the telescope, I can clearly make out the two stars that show as only one to the naked eye.  One is a deep blue colour, and one is a brilliant orange hue.  These two stars mark the foot of the Northern Cross.  In the Winter, the cross of Cygnus stands upright on the Western Horizon, a reminder of my Lord Jesus who was crucified.

As you can probably tell, I enjoy the details of my hobby.  I love reading about the vast distances to the furthest galaxies.  I like learning the history behind the names of stars and constellations.  I really enjoy seeing objects in the telescope that I’ve never seen before.  I even named my daughter, Mira, after a star. But studying the stars has given me an unexpected joy, too.  I’ve found that I feel at total peace when I am under the stars, and all is still.  Sometimes, I will start to look through my telescope, but soon just end up on my back, looking up at the sky and praying.

I don’t know why I feel God’s presence at those times more than any other. It could be the lack of distraction or the utter quiet of my surroundings.  But, I think it has to do with me knowing that physically, I am a very insignificant part of an enormous universe. It’s then that I am most humble, and perhaps that draws me closer to God.  I do know that even though I am not as big as a star or galaxy, I am more important to God, and that fills me with great peace and fullness.

Because You Prayed

Sunday, October 22nd, 2006

What great encouragement and hope are found in the life of King Hezekiah.  Not once, but twice, Hezekiah pours out his heart to the Lord and on both occassions God answers in the affirmative.  In Isaiah 37:21 God says, “..because you have prayed to Me..” and in Chapter 38:5 we read, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears..”

I know many sincere believers who have serious doubt about the effectiveness of prayer. Some have given up praying entirely, believing that since God has everything in control, theirs prayers are not needed.  Others have become discouraged because, unlike Hezekiah, years were not added to the life of a loved one.  One dear friend of mine will be forever convinced that if his faith had been stronger his prayers for his mother would have been answered.

Prayer is a mystery.  Is it my faith or God’s will that determines the outcome?  Do I pray once, believing and trusting, or continue to persist in prayer like the widow in Luke 18?  Hezekiah proclaimed before the Lord that he had “walked in truth and with a whole heart and had done good in His sight.”  What about me?  Do I have any sin that would hinder my prayers?  How do I resolve all the questions?  With three simple words - “because you prayed.”

God’s words to Hezekiah compel me to pray.  The old cliche rings true - “you’ll never know until you ask.”