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

The Gospel According to Jesus by Chris Seay

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

I must admit up front that I got this book to read based solely on the title alone. I mean, who doesn’t want to know what the gospel is according to Jesus? It’s His gospel right? In The Gospel According to Jesus, author Chris Seay practically answers what he says is “the most important question followers of Jesus the Liberating King can ever ask themselves: what is the gospel?” (page 43). This is a question that all Christ followers should answer themselves, but it’s at the core of Seay’s discussion in this refreshing book.

Chris Seay’s writing style is easy to read, full of personal stories that illustrate his message, and challenges many common misconceptions in Christian culture regarding what the gospel of Jesus is (and isn’t). The crux of his message is that the gospel is about relationship. He states that even “sin is about relationship, not about rules” (page 88). We are all living in broken relationship with God and the gospel is about having that relationship restored!

The author uses the term “shalom” to describe this state of restored relationship…with God and with those around us. We are all called to live in shalom and help others find shalom in their own lives (I won’t spoil the fun by telling you exactly what this term means…you’ll need to read the book for that). This teaching resonates as truth for me. God is about relationship. Jesus is about relationship. We should be all about relationship.

My favorite chapter in the book is Chapter 9: “The Ten Commandments of a Shalom Life”. Here the author gives us 10 practical ways we can live out shalom in our lives. He goes beyond the typical “disciplines” (although they are included) and attempts to shake some of our preconceived notions. On example, in number nine he challenges how we treat illegal immigrants as Christians (see page 188). We’re called to something different and it’s time we started acting like it.

Seay concludes each chapter with a prayer and an interview with one or two contemporary authors and/or pastors on the subject he’s just covered. I personally found these sections a bit tedious and unnecessary, but that’s just me—others may find it helpful to get an alternate viewpoint on the subject. It’s usually in these sections that the discussion gets too “postmodern” for my tastes.

Overall, I loved this book and put it in the top 5 books that I’ve read this year. I highly recommend it and will probably try and read it at least one time a year. The author challenged me to think and act out my faith practically. The gospel of Jesus is more than a “good idea”, it’s to be lived and worked out in the real world…with real people.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

09.12.2010 Books, Review No Comments

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

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

It’s Empty!!

Sunday, April 4th, 2010


Happy Easter!!

“Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” (Matthew 28:5-7, NLT)

This is true every day…not just today.
And it changed EVERYTHING!

04.04.2010 God's Love, Holiday, Spiritual Musings No Comments

The Holy Spirit: Part 3

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

It’s time to move into the New Testament in my continuing study of the Holy Spirit (which is quite obviously not going to be able to cover every aspect…that would take an entire book). The NT is FULL of the Holy Spirit (pun intended). I wasn’t sure where to start, so this morning I was led to see what Jesus Himself had to say about the Holy Spirit. This passage stood out…

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” (John 14:15-17, NLT)

There’s a lot going on in these three verses. Here are my initial thoughts and comments…

First, notice that the entire Trinity is represented here. Jesus is speaking. He says the Father will give us another “Advocate” (more on that in a second)—the Holy Spirit. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…they’re all there.

Second, Jesus says that the Father will give us the Holy Spirit.  He’s a gift, but He’s not just any gift. He’s given to us as our Advocate. The word here is a legal term…the Holy Spirit is our defense lawyer. He’s on our side. He speaks on our behalf. God Himself stands up for us. He pleads our case and comforts us in the middle of our trials. Wow!

Finally, there are several important truths laid out in these few verses:

  1. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate (I’ve already talked about this one)
  2. The Holy Spirit won’t leave us…there is nothing we can do to get Him to walk away from us
  3. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth…He reveals the truth about God (and it’s not subjective)
  4. We get to know the Holy Spirit and He lives in us…that’s a close, personal relationship!

We already learned from the Old Testament that the Spirit draws us into relationship with God…and that same theme carries over here. The Holy Spirit stands with us, lives with us, leads us, and knows us. That’s God getting up close and personal. That’s God getting His hands dirty in our lives.

Awesome…simply awesome! More to come…

16.03.2010 Holy Spirit, Spiritual Musings 2 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

Mountain Man or God’s Man?

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

This morning God is asking me if I’m a mountain man or if I’m His man. I am His man, but let me explain.

I was reading in my devotional book this morning (and I need a new one for next year if anyone has any recommendations) and the author made a profound statement that God is using to challenge me.

The challenge focuses on this verse:

Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt,
you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain,
‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.
You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
Matthew 21:21-22, NLT

That’s a powerful promise from Jesus…one that most of use struggle with living up to. Jesus says we can move mountains if we have faith and don’t doubt. And that’s where the challenge comes…

No one ever gets mountain-moving faith by obsessing about the mountains.
We get it by focusing on God.

I don’t know about you, but I am too often the guy worried about the mountain in front of me…whatever current stress, fear, or struggle that may be…instead of focusing on God. But He’s teaching me this lesson and I am slowly beginning to learn to trust Him, lean on Him, and have faith in Him alone and stop worrying about the mountain.

It’s a hard lesson…but the mountains are starting to move already…

12.12.2009 Devotional, Faith, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Who You Lookin’ At?

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

The first verse of Hebrews 12 gives us a serious challenge as Christ followers…

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a
huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith,
let us strip off every weight that slows us down,
especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1, NLT

In other words: you’ve heard about the spiritual giants such as Abraham, Moses, and David so start acting like them. Easy to say…not so easy to do. On the one hand, most of these “spiritual giants” had their share of problems (i.e.: lying, cheating, and murder) so they are as human as you and I are. On the other hand, they had great faith and walked close to God in spite of their weaknesses (and maybe because of those weaknesses).

Any way you look at it, it’s a tall order. How do we do this? Well, that’s why you have to keep reading to verse 2…

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,
the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Hebrews 12:2, NLT

How do we run the spiritual race? How do we endure it? How do we act like the spiritual giants of the past?

By keeping our eyes on Jesus. It’s not about us. It’s about Him. It’s not about our strength or our weakness…it’s about His power demonstrated in our lives. We do not initiate or perfect our faith…Jesus does (sometimes we get that one backwards).

So….who you lookin’ at?

15.11.2009 Devotional, Faith, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

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