Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Luke 19:30-40
This is a little different approach today. These questions come from poweredby4.org
Wednesday: Luke 19:28-40
Where is Jesus going (19:28-29)? Jerusalem
What instructions does He give two disciples (19:30-31)? They are to find a colt of a donkey and bring it to Jesus
What happened when they obeyed (19:32-35)? They were asked why they were taking this donkey, but they told the owners what Jesus told them to; that the Lord has need of it. They were allowed to take it.
What were Jesus' followers shouting as they drew near to Jerusalem (19:37-38)? "Blessed is the Kind who comes in the name of the Lord"! And "peace in heaven and glory to the Highest"!
How did the Pharisees react (19:39)? They asked Jesus to rebuke His disciples for "blaspheming."
What did Jesus mean in 19:40? Jesus said if these stand by quiet, the rocks would cry out. This entry on this donkey was fulfillment of prophecy. The Savior has come! How could such an event not be greeted with shouts of praise? All of creation knows what is going on here, and if God's people couldn't acknowledge it, the stones would.
What are the "mighty works" that you can praise Jesus for today? There is everything from the simplest to the most major miracles going on in our lives everyday. I got up this morning, that's praiseworthy right there! My family is healthy, I have a good job, I have a great church, I have a home and I had lots of hot water for a shower this morning. I have the opportunity to serve Jesus today! Where should my praise end?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
2 Thess 1
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1
Observation: This first chapter is the beginning of another letter to the church at Thessalonica. Click here for a map showing Thessalonica. The letter starts out as encouragement for this church. Apparently things are going pretty well there on one level, but the letter implies there some persecution going on too. Paul reminds these people that God is just and will repay those giving them trouble. The punishment is just, but harsh too. It's a good reminder to us that we know people that don't yet know Jesus, and that they will be punished with everlasting destruction.
Wow.
Maybe those words were meant to encourage these people that were being persecuted, and it probably did for a little bit. But if those words really sunk in, I doubt it was long before these Christians were more concerned for the souls of these persecutors then they were about revenge. Maybe that was the actual goal of these words too. Of course I'm thinking from Paul's perspective. I'm sure God wants us to take everything away from these words that are available. When you're a new Christian, the vengeance angle is probably what you'd take away from this first. When you're a more mature Christian, these words start to give way to concern for those who persecute, depending on our relationship with that person. And there's probably more that I don't see yet because I'm only where I am. Of course the Holy Spirit can reveal anything He likes to me at any time.
Application: I need to remember that God knows what's going on in my life all the time. He knows when I am persecuted (not often enough). It will be up to Him to deal with those who persecute Christians. For those that simply don't want to acknowledge Christ, God will deal with them too, but in the mean time, it is up to us to let our friends know what Jesus has done for us.
This is hard stuff. It's hard to imagine that not knowing Jesus is just cause for the harshest punishment-eternity without Him. I need boldness to speak this truth to my friends. It's hard for lots of people because they don't like to be in that uncomfortable spot, and I'm no exception. I pray though that this truth will sink in to my soul as well so I can be of some use to my Lord. Maybe this blog is a good step in the right direction.
Observation: This first chapter is the beginning of another letter to the church at Thessalonica. Click here for a map showing Thessalonica. The letter starts out as encouragement for this church. Apparently things are going pretty well there on one level, but the letter implies there some persecution going on too. Paul reminds these people that God is just and will repay those giving them trouble. The punishment is just, but harsh too. It's a good reminder to us that we know people that don't yet know Jesus, and that they will be punished with everlasting destruction.
Wow.
Maybe those words were meant to encourage these people that were being persecuted, and it probably did for a little bit. But if those words really sunk in, I doubt it was long before these Christians were more concerned for the souls of these persecutors then they were about revenge. Maybe that was the actual goal of these words too. Of course I'm thinking from Paul's perspective. I'm sure God wants us to take everything away from these words that are available. When you're a new Christian, the vengeance angle is probably what you'd take away from this first. When you're a more mature Christian, these words start to give way to concern for those who persecute, depending on our relationship with that person. And there's probably more that I don't see yet because I'm only where I am. Of course the Holy Spirit can reveal anything He likes to me at any time.
Application: I need to remember that God knows what's going on in my life all the time. He knows when I am persecuted (not often enough). It will be up to Him to deal with those who persecute Christians. For those that simply don't want to acknowledge Christ, God will deal with them too, but in the mean time, it is up to us to let our friends know what Jesus has done for us.
This is hard stuff. It's hard to imagine that not knowing Jesus is just cause for the harshest punishment-eternity without Him. I need boldness to speak this truth to my friends. It's hard for lots of people because they don't like to be in that uncomfortable spot, and I'm no exception. I pray though that this truth will sink in to my soul as well so I can be of some use to my Lord. Maybe this blog is a good step in the right direction.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Psalm 33
Scripture: Psalm 33
Observation: This is a verse about praising the Lord. All righteous people should praise the Lord. Who is righteous though? Romans 3:22-23 says it is those who have put their faith in Jesus. This is comforting to me, because some days I sure don't feel very righteous. I guess I never do if it means feeling like God owes me something.
The days that are especially hard to praise the Lord are those days when you know you've screwed up and it's just hard to imagine that God wants anything to do with you today. The good news is that while God is determined to raise us well (so to speak) just as we try to raise our kids well, His love for us doesn't change. If you have kids, you know what I mean. They can really tick you off sometimes, but that doesn't change your love for them. That's good news because I know when I'm feeling like I've failed it's easy to quit trying. That's true for me in relationships and other goals I set for myself.
Aside from those days where I'm already frustrated for whatever reason, the good days are still filled with plenty of distractions. We're supposed to be constantly in prayer 1 Thess 5:17 and that can be hard just because of all the things fighting for our attention. To pray is to praise God just because you're letting Him know you can't do life without Him. I know He's praised when we ask Him to be a part of our lives daily. I know people who think it's silly to bother Him with our day to day needs though. I'm not in that camp although my actions say otherwise more often than not.
So, all those great words, but I struggle praying constantly for the same reasons I listed above. I suspect everybody does at least at first. I hope to one day have constant prayer/praise as a way of life, but for now I'll be praying that is granted to me.
Lord, please remind me of Your presence in my life constantly so I'll remember to be constantly in prayer. Remind me that I can't do life without You, especially when I start acting like I can.
In Jesus' Name...
Observation: This is a verse about praising the Lord. All righteous people should praise the Lord. Who is righteous though? Romans 3:22-23 says it is those who have put their faith in Jesus. This is comforting to me, because some days I sure don't feel very righteous. I guess I never do if it means feeling like God owes me something.
The days that are especially hard to praise the Lord are those days when you know you've screwed up and it's just hard to imagine that God wants anything to do with you today. The good news is that while God is determined to raise us well (so to speak) just as we try to raise our kids well, His love for us doesn't change. If you have kids, you know what I mean. They can really tick you off sometimes, but that doesn't change your love for them. That's good news because I know when I'm feeling like I've failed it's easy to quit trying. That's true for me in relationships and other goals I set for myself.
Aside from those days where I'm already frustrated for whatever reason, the good days are still filled with plenty of distractions. We're supposed to be constantly in prayer 1 Thess 5:17 and that can be hard just because of all the things fighting for our attention. To pray is to praise God just because you're letting Him know you can't do life without Him. I know He's praised when we ask Him to be a part of our lives daily. I know people who think it's silly to bother Him with our day to day needs though. I'm not in that camp although my actions say otherwise more often than not.
So, all those great words, but I struggle praying constantly for the same reasons I listed above. I suspect everybody does at least at first. I hope to one day have constant prayer/praise as a way of life, but for now I'll be praying that is granted to me.
Lord, please remind me of Your presence in my life constantly so I'll remember to be constantly in prayer. Remind me that I can't do life without You, especially when I start acting like I can.
In Jesus' Name...
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