Thursday, March 11, 2010
Friday, March 12th Daily Reading John 14-15
I am not sure how I am supposed to comment on such a large passage. As I read the passage i keep seeing how Jesus has SENT each of us to continue the work He started, but I am influenced by the fact that I am studying John 17 for the current teaching series. All I can say to you is enjoy the passage notice the glory and greatness of our saviour in who he is and what he accomplished.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Wednesday, March 10th Daily Reading Matthew 21:1-27
One of the most powerful words in all of Scripture is the word ASK. I admit when I read passages like, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (vs.22)" I start off by thinking, "What this does not mean is . . ." I am not sure if that is due to my upbringing, my anger toward those who teach a "name it and claim it" type of prosperity gospel, or just my own fear and lack of faith. The truth is the Bible consistently teaches us to ASK of God. It also teaches us to ASK with right motives and a clean heart. I think it was in Mondays reading that we were instructed to persist in asking. What am I asking God for right now? What am I pounding on the door of Heaven to ASK of God? Maybe the best question is, What is God wanting me to ASK of Him?
ASKing demonstrates humility a recognized dependence on someone else. Is this what I lack the most?
In my Sunday morning teach from John 17 we see that Jesus has SENT us into the world. Isn't it wise the way Jesus teaches us about ASKing using the subject of a fruitless tree? It is obvious that what my life is producing (my fruit) is directly connected to my ASKing.
My obedient response to this passage needs to be one of getting over myself and ASKing God.
ASKing demonstrates humility a recognized dependence on someone else. Is this what I lack the most?
In my Sunday morning teach from John 17 we see that Jesus has SENT us into the world. Isn't it wise the way Jesus teaches us about ASKing using the subject of a fruitless tree? It is obvious that what my life is producing (my fruit) is directly connected to my ASKing.
My obedient response to this passage needs to be one of getting over myself and ASKing God.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Tuesday, March 9th Daily Reading John 11:1-44
Today I am stealing from a master. These are quotes from Oswald Chambers and his daily devotional titled "My Utmost For His Highest". A profound a fresh voice for today.
Jesus looked her in the eye. "Didn't I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40
Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture heroically on Jesus Christ's statements when the facts of your common-sense life shout - "It's a lie?" On the mount it is easy to say - 'Oh, yes, I believe God can do it'; but you have to come down into the demon-possessed valley and meet with facts that laugh ironically at the whole of your mount-of-transfiguration belief. Every time my programme of belief is clear to my own mind, I come across something that contradicts it. Let me say I believe God will supply all my need, and then let me run dry, with no outlook, and see whether I will go through the trial of faith, or whether I will sink back to something lower.
Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict. What is your faith up against just now? The test will either prove that your faith is right, or it will kill it. "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me." The final thing is confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith, and the last great test is death. May God keep us in fighting trim! Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us.
Jesus looked her in the eye. "Didn't I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40
Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual. Can you trust Jesus Christ where your common sense cannot trust Him? Can you venture heroically on Jesus Christ's statements when the facts of your common-sense life shout - "It's a lie?" On the mount it is easy to say - 'Oh, yes, I believe God can do it'; but you have to come down into the demon-possessed valley and meet with facts that laugh ironically at the whole of your mount-of-transfiguration belief. Every time my programme of belief is clear to my own mind, I come across something that contradicts it. Let me say I believe God will supply all my need, and then let me run dry, with no outlook, and see whether I will go through the trial of faith, or whether I will sink back to something lower.
Faith must be tested, because it can be turned into a personal possession only through conflict. What is your faith up against just now? The test will either prove that your faith is right, or it will kill it. "Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in Me." The final thing is confidence in Jesus. Believe steadfastly on Him and all you come up against will develop your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith, and the last great test is death. May God keep us in fighting trim! Faith is unutterable trust in God, trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us.
Monday, March 8th Daily Reading, Luke 11:1-13
Prayer is a learned activity. The disciples asked Jesus "Lord, teach us to pray". I often make my prayer first of all about me. It is OK to as God for what it is we need. As a matter of fact it is this passage (vs 8) that teaches us to be bold and shamelessly persistent in making our requests of God. However, when He is teaching them to pray he starts with the a holy, worshipful recognition of God (Father, Hallowed by your name). Then moves to a place of submission to His will (Your kingdom come). This is where I (and all of us) need to start in our prayers. It is this starting point that allows us to be persistent with our requests. For we remember to whom it is we are praying and that makes all the difference.
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