Sunday, May 20, 2012    

Haven’t You Read the Scriptures?

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

I was reading through Matthew this morning as I have been for the past month (with fresh eyes, remember?). One of the advantages of reading through an entire book of the Bible is you get a sense of the book as whole instead of little pieces we pick up here and there.

This morning I read something that Jesus said and realized I’d heard those words several times before. Jesus repeated this phrase over and over. When Jesus repeats something I generally try to pay attention because it’s important (He wasn’t into repetition for its own sake). Usually He was speaking to the Pharisees when uttering this particular phrase, but the general concept is still important. Here’s what He said:

Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? (Matthew 21:42, NLT)

Like I said, I knew I’d read these words from Jesus before. So I looked it up. Jesus says this phrase (or something very close to it) eight different times in the book of Matthew alone. Of course, I could focus on Jesus blasting His opponents by scolding them. But I don’t think that’s what really applies to me here (pride isn’t God’s goal here…even if it’s pride about my Bible knowledge).

I think what’s important is the implication behind what Jesus is saying here. He expected His listeners to have read and rightly understood the Bible. And it takes both. First, we need to pick up our Bibles and actually read them—for ourselves. There’s no other way to get God’s Word in your life. Nobody else can do that for you. Sermons and books about the Bible simply do not cut it (they can only enhance what you’ve already got in you).

The second mistake we make is that we don’t know what we’re reading when we do pick up the Bible. This was the Pharisee’s primary issue. They certainly read the Scriptures (they had most of it memorized). But they didn’t understand it—in Matthew 22:29 He tells them:

Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.

They had read the Scriptures, but they didn’t know them (which they proved over and over again!). I think the issue of understanding Scripture is why so many today don’t even pick their Bible’s up. So how do we understand the Bible? First, we need to study them…there are plenty of resources to help us dig in and get some context for what we’re reading (we just can’t be lazy about it). But more importantly, we need to allow God’s Spirit to teach us:

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26, NLT)

The first step is the most important. Pick it up, dust it off, and get reading. It just might…check that…it WILL change you forever!

02.02.2011 Devotional, Jesus, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

What Else…?

Saturday, January 29th, 2011

I’ve been reading through the gospels since the beginning of the year with the goal of reading with fresh eyes. Hearing and “seeing” what Jesus said and did as if it was the first time. I’m only part of the way through Matthew so far (as part of my One Year program) and it has been incredible.

This morning I read a story I’ve read countless times and have even taught and preached it: The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-30.  (I encourage you to read it for yourself before you continue…with fresh eyes). I was positive I wouldn’t get anything new out of this story (great attitude huh?). I was wrong.

What I saw this morning comes after the rich man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life (not a bad question, if not the best). And it comes after Jesus answers him by telling him to follow the commandments (not the answer you or I would give by the way). What I saw was in the rich man’s response to Jesus’ answer:

“I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” (Matthew 19:20, NLT)

What else must I do? Are you kidding me?!?!

Jesus answers this man’s question, and the man says he’s already done what Jesus says he must do. Walk away dude! Mission accomplished! You got what you came for. You got the right answer…why press for more?

Why indeed? Why did this rich man press for more? Why would he ask: “What else must I do?” He obviously saw that something was missing…that the answer was incomplete. I’m not saying that Jesus gave an incomplete answer, but that this man knew there was more for him. And he takes the risk to ask the next question: “What else?”

I typically read the result of that next question and feel sorrow and shame for the rich man because he walked away from Jesus. But he did ask the question…which is more than I do sometimes.

There was something in this man’s soul that yearned for more in his religion. In fact, he wanted more than religion…he wanted something real. He just wasn’t willing to pay the price demanded.

I want more too. I wonder though, am I willing to pay the price?

What else must I do?

29.01.2011 Devotional, Discipleship, Jesus, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

A New/Old Command

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

I started personally reading 1 John yesterday and I’ve been doing some intensive study in Galatians in preparation for a sermon in a few weeks. And a single concept keeps coming up over and over again the past few months. It’ s one of those times when God seems to be trying to get my attention and I’ve only just started to catch on (I know…I’m the only one, right?). So this morning I decided to stop, listen, and do a little digging. And boy was I a little surprised (pleasantly). Here’s the passage that got me started this morning…

And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.  (1 John 3:23, NLT)

This simple little concept keeps coming up: We demonstrate our love for God by loving one another. That’s the test for us as Christians. Period. End of story. It’s not about how good we are. It’s not about where or how often we go to church. It’s not about anything else…it’s all about how much we love each other. And John even takes it a step further and calls out bluff on saying that we love each other…

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (1 John 3:18, NLT)

Dang it…we’d he have to step on that toe? Why couldn’t he just leave me alone in my safe little bubble thinking it was okay just to have the right attitude toward others, “Sure, I love the people around me.” John says, “Prove it!” It’s our actions that count here, not our words.

As this started settling in I remembered how often this concept of loving one another has come up lately. So I did a quick search on two different phrases: “Love one another” and “Love each other”. In the New Testament alone these two phrases come up over 100 times! Everyone gets involved. Peter and Paul loved the concepts, but Jesus started it…

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. (John 13:34, NLT)

A new commandment to love each other…pretty simple, but oh so hard. And then He ups the ante in the very next verse…

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (John 13:35, NLT)

It’s not our bumper stickers or even our worn Bibles that prove to the world that we’re Christ followers. Only one thing does the job: Our demonstrated love for one another!

Jesus says this a new command, but John says it’s actually not new (at least not anymore since Jesus already gave it to us)…

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. (1 John 3:1, NLT)

It’s everywhere…here are a few other passages you can try on for size in case you’re interested: Romans 13:8, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:2, Philippians 2:2, Hebrews 13:1, 1 Peter 4:8and 1 John 4:12 (to name but only a few).

And here’s the question that God laid on my heart as I started getting into this deeper. If this is such an important aspect of my faith, why don’t I focus on it more…and why don’t I DO it more?

03.11.2010 Devotional, Jesus, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Greater Works

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Jesus said it so it’s true.

I know this intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. But I still struggle with His words (just glad I’m not the first). But I don’t want to struggle or wrestle with Him on this point…I want it to be true in my life.

Here’s what He said:

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. (John 12:14, NLT)

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read these words and I still struggle with the truth here. Big time.

I struggle with them largely because I honestly don’t think I see the evidence of this in my own spiritual life. I don’t think I’ve done “the same” much less “greater works than Jesus did. I know that only happens as a result of the Spirit’s working in and through me (that’s why Jesus had to leave for this statement to be true), but I still don’t see the evidence of this passage.

Which leads me to a few questions I wrestle with in light of Jesus’ statement and my lack of application:

  1. Does this mean I don’t truly believe in Him (that’s what the evidence seems to be saying)?
  2. Does this mean I don’t have His Spirit at work in me?
  3. Does this mean I’m just not understanding or applying His truth correctly?
  4. Does this mean I’m just missing something?

I’m not sure what the answer is. So I’m praying and seeking God’s face on this. I want it to be true in my life…not for my own glory, but because I don’t want to miss out on any of Jesus’ promises. He obviously said this for a reason. He obviously wants it to be true for His children.

The good news is I know He’ll answer…I just gotta be listening!  ;o)

11.10.2010 Devotional, Jesus, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Word!

Monday, April 26th, 2010

At church we’re going through a short series on the Trinity and this past Sunday we unpacked “The Son”. The passage Ray used for his message was John 1:1-14 and this has always been one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. I love the imagery that John uses at the beginning of the passage:

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:1-5, NLT)

At first glance, the wording John uses here can seem a little confusing (or at best just fly right over our heads). Why isn’t John more direct? Why doesn’t He just say “In the beginning Jesus already existed…”? Why use the imagery of “The Word” here? A quick study helps to see that John uses this phrasing to kill two birds with one stone…which makes his meaning more complex and deeper.

The Greek word that John uses here is the word: Logos. This word had been around for quite awhile before Jesus was born. It has it’s root in Greek Philosophy. It was used way back around 500 B.C. by Heraclitus (I didn’t make that up) and even by Aristotle (you can read more here). To the Greek philosopher the “logos” represents “the principle of order and knowledge in the Universe.” For them, however, this was about reasoning and rationality.

John steals this word and applies it directly to Jesus. And in doing so he…

  1. Links Jesus with the Greek concept of order and knowledge in the Universe. Jesus is what holds Creation together (see Colossians 1:17). This resonates with the Greek mind (John’s principle audience for this Gospel). He embodies this philosophy on the person and deity of Jesus Christ.
  2. For the Jewish reader this concept referred back to the Creation story in Genesis where God spoke the world into existence (could that have been Jesus as The Word?)

John uses one word (Logos) to speak to two different cultures…

Now it’s your turn…how does this imagery speak to you and our culture…?


26.04.2010 Jesus, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Our Brother

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

I have been thinking about brothers and sisters a lot this week. I’ve been thinking about my brother, who I lost 20 years ago. I’ve been thinking about my sister, who I lost a week ago.

Brothers and sisters hold a dear place in our lives. We love them…and sometimes they drive us crazy (but we still love them).

I miss mine. A lot.

But I have one more brother…and so do you…

So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father.
That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.
Hebrews 2:11, NLT

That’s pretty cool if you ask me…Jesus calls us His brothers and sisters.

And He’s not going anywhere. ;-)

20.01.2010 Jesus, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

It’s Empty!!

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?
He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!
Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man
must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified,
and that he would rise again on the third day.”
Luke 24:5-7, NLT

12.04.2009 God's Love, Holiday, Jesus No Comments

Who Brought the Chips?

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

Last Saturday night Anita was taking the boys to my mom’s so that we could go on a date night. On the way there someone asks why we have church on Sunday (I assume because the next day was Sunday). Anita started to explain that we have church on Sunday because that’s the day Jesus rose from the grave on Easter.

She went on to explain that the women came to Jesus’ grave with spices on the Sunday after He had died on the cross and that’s when they found that the tomb was empty. And that’s when Kyle does what he often does—says something you never expect. It went something like this:

Anita: “The women went to the tomb with spices to put on Jesus.”

Kyle: “Spices? You mean, like salsa?!?”

That’s my boy!

11.03.2009 Family, Humor, Jesus No Comments

A Slave to What?

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

This morning I had a powerful time with God…one of those moments that come when you least expect it. For me, these times are typically marked by God showing me how much He cares for me, but this morning was different. This morning God showed me a glimpse of my own journey with Him—He showed me a part of myself that I need to be aware of. It came from this passage:

So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you),
why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more
to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?
Galatians 4:9, NLT

I have read this particular verse I don’t know how many times…but I have never read it like I did this morning. I have been a slave to many tings in my  life…including “the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world”. What are the spiritual principles of this world? Anything that points away from God to something else…idolatry. For some it’s about money and power. For others it’s narcissism (maybe most?). For some it’s an addiction. For others it’s loneliness. The list goes on and on…

As I read this verse this morning I was captured by the first part—the fact that I know God, but more importantly, He knows me! And because I have this relationship with Him I should not be drawn back into my old pattern, my old addictions, my old life. It calls to me often. But then, so does He.

So instead of being a slave to anything in this world, I am a slave to Jesus. I am His. I belong to Him. And He knows me…He knows me better than I know myself. So I am going to cling to Him and work more and more to get to Him better and let Him know me better to.  That’s not easy because it means I have to open myself up to Him and to others…and that leaves me vulnerable. But it also leaves me open to His love.

Like I said…I belong to Him. I can’t wait to see where He leads!

27.12.2008 God's Love, Jesus, Spiritual Musings No Comments

The Stethescope

Friday, December 12th, 2008

While this video is fun, the message is better than my typical Friday Fodder video. This was done by a church in Abilene, Texas and is based on Colossians 1:27: “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”

The Stethescope

I am not sure that you’d hear “The Hallelujah Chorus”…I think we can do better but I’m not much of an audiophile to come up with a better song, but I am working on it.

So how about it? What song would you hear??

12.12.2008 Friday Fodder, Jesus, Video 1 Comment

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