Author: Good Life Church

Scripture:

Matthew 11:1
When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Observation:

Jesus’ ministry included both small group discipleship and evangelism to the masses.

Application:

As we continue the ministry of Jesus today through His Spirit, He will lead us to make disciples in smaller and intimate community. He will also lead us to share the gospel in the city and invest in the lives of people who are on the outside looking in.

A couple things…

Discipling the few is important. Taking a small group of believers deeper is vital to our ministry.

Sharing the good news with the city is important. Teaching, preaching, ministering in the city and to those who are lost is vital to our ministry.

Prayer:

Both discipleship and evangelism are an expectation for believers that are committed to the Mission of Jesus. We can’t choose one or the other. We need to be committed to both.

Scripture:

Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Observation:

Jesus is sending his disciples out to go spread the Gospel and warning them to be aware of their circumstances, alert about the evil around them yet be open and inviting to those they encounter. He paints a picture of opposites to make a point that they are to act one way, yet expect others to act in the opposite manner.

Application:

Wolves can devour sheep. Snakes are cunning and can get into very unusual places. Sheep are docile and almost have no natural defenses. They are open to attack. Doves are about the same. Their only defense is flight. Predators often attach both animals. Am I to be a docile, innocent, defenseless Christian? No. Jesus wants me to be open and vulnerable to people while, at the same time, not be naïve. He calls his disciples to be wise as serpents, who have good self-preservation, survival instincts.

I am to be open to others. I am to share my life experiences and my triumphs and low points.
I am called to be trusting of Jesus to be my Shepherd. He will lead me.

I am called to be aware of others who may not have the same motivation and intentions in mind. They choose to deceive. They know right from wrong but choose to the wrong path.

I am called to still go out to disciple even knowing danger may occur.

Prayer:

Let me be aware of my surrounding. Let me be open to others and sensitive to those around me. Help them be open to what you have to say to them

Scripture:

Matthew 9

11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
….
13 (Jesus said to the Pharisees) “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Observation:

Jesus has just called Matthew, the tax collector, to be His disciple.
They go back to Matthews house and have a party with Matthews friends.
The Pharisees question Jesus about this.
Jesus doesn’t wait for His disciples to answer the question.
Jesus answers them Himself.
Jesus says the sinners are, in fact, exactly who He came for.
Jesus also gives the Pharisees what they would see as a demeaning request:
““Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ “

Application:

If Jesus says to “go and learn” something, then I should probably learn that something.
And if He says that He “desires” it, then I should definitely learn it!
First of all, this request of the Pharisees must have been highly insulting.
“I desire mercy and not sacrifice” is a direct quote from Hosea.
Of course the Pharisees “knew” this … they had every word memorized!
But did they know what it “means”?
There is a big difference from “memorizing” something and “knowing what it means”!
What am I doing with God’s Word?
“Memorizing” it? Or “knowing its meaning”?
So, Jesus desires “mercy” and not “sacrifice”.
What is “mercy”? To not dole out the proper punishment for a true violation.
Like a guilty criminal would plead for “mercy” before a judge.
And what is “sacrifice”? Well, I often think of it as “giving up something” or “going without”.
But “sacrifice” for the Pharisees was all about “religious ritual”.
Jesus was saying He cared WAY more about how I treat people than how I treat a policy.
Jesus cares way more about how I treat a relationship than how I treat a ritual.
Jesus even later said, “Who wouldn’t rescue an ox in a ditch even on the sabbath.”
So, what are the “religious rituals” in my life? The “sacrifices”?
And where am I tempted to lack “mercy”?
So I “go to church” and “sing praise” to the Lord, but then what is that worth if I then go to lunch afterward and complain about not being served well and then leave a cheap tip!
Jesus desires mercy, not religious acts.
Do I go “journal group” and then ignore people at my work who are hurting?
Jesus desires mercy, not religious acts.
Do I go to “small group” and then not follow up with others about the things they’ve requested prayer for?
Jesus desires mercy, not religious acts.
Do I “pray before meals” and then spend that meal gossiping?
I need to remember … “mercy, not ritual”.
Would I rather engage in a Hebrew word study or an honest conversation with a neighbor?
Would I rather memorize the beatitudes … or actually live them out?!
I’m having an uncomfortable realization …
The longer people are Christians, the more they want to be theologians and the less they want to be disciples.
A book is easier to engage with than people.
I can memorize, but do I know meaning?
Religious ritual knows laws.
Mercy knows names.

Prayer:

Thank you God for Your Word.
Thank you that it is alive.
It is the Living Word.
I can have relationship with it, and be changed and learn the meaning of relationship with others.
Help me show mercy, Holy Spirit.
Help me never prioritize ritual over relationship.
In Jesus name
Amen

Scripture:

Matthew 8:11-12
11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Observation:

Jesus tells his disciples that people who once were on the outside will end up at the table. Also, those who thought they were at the table will be cast out into hell.

Application:

The centurion was a gentile whose faith moved Jesus. He believed Jesus could heal his child without even coming to his house. As long as Jesus “willed” it, the man believed it would happen. Jesus takes this situation to provide a platform to help his followers understand that every human being can have access to the Father. The access is based on faith, not on birth right or nation of origin.

The truth is, it has always been faith. It was faith with Abraham, and the people of God had been blessed by his faith. Jesus was letting his followers know to rely on their own faith, not someone else’s.

A few things…

-Faith is by hearing and hearing by the word of God. As a believer, it is my call to stay connected to God through His word and to share His word with other people. If my faith develops apart from the Word, something isn’t right.

-My faith is wrapped up in the gospel of Jesus. My security is not in a heritage. It’s not in someone else’s faith. I can’t forget that I was invited to the table by Jesus and He is the only reason I am there.

-I must love everyone, whether they are at the table or not. I must be bold with the gospel because the alternative is not ok. May the judgment of God on a life without Christ drive me to share the gospel with the lost.

Prayer:

Thank you for welcoming me to the table. I didn’t belong and you made me belong. May I invite others with the rest of my life.

Scripture:

(multiple references follows) “Judge not, that you be not judged….Enter by the narrow gate. (Here’s why–) For the gate is wide and the way easy that leads to destruction-and those who enter it (the wide gate) are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life-and those who find (the narrow gate) are few….” Matt 7:1; 13-14

“…the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matt 7: 17b-20.

Observation:

What is Matthew 7 about? What is Jesus saying to us? If I take a step (or 10) back, I think I see that Matt 7 is really about having a good head on my shoulders and coming to grips with having good judgment about myself, others, salvation, and consequences…

Application:

Chapter 7 starts with an admonition not to judge unless I want to suffer the potential consequences-or so it seemingly reads. I have seen grown, mature men in the Lord stopped hard in their tracks with this statement, crippling their walk in the Lord. Our general assessment of Jesus’ Matt 7:1 “Don’t judge” statement couldn’t be further from the truth-and the facts are found right here in Matt 7.

There are two words in the Greek that are translated “judge” in the New Testament. The two Greek words are defined as “Condemnation” and “Evaluation”-considering the context in the sentence we can usually figure out which is used. So, if I use “condemn not, lest I be condemned” I am pretty close to the idea Jesus wants to convey.

The rest of Matthew 7 is much about discerning and/or identifying the “tells” of my (and others) behavior. Discernment and identification is implicit to the “judgement” that is evaluation in nature and purpose. Because Jesus is giving us instruction on being a trained evaluator the verse 1 statement has to be considered to follow in this context.

Ok: So what? Now I have the skinny on “judgement” what do I use it for? What are the implications?

First thing I have to think about is that this kind of evaluation/judgment starts at home i.e. the guy in the mirror. Last thing I have to think about is extending this judgement (leading to condemnation) to others. I can’t condemn without acknowledging that the condemnation line starts with the guy in the mirror.

In considering all that Jesus says in chapter 7, I evaluate me first and look to the Holy Spirit to help me walk in the Narrow Path, avoiding the Wide Road; to bear Good (and visible) Fruit and not Bad, Diseased Fruit (coming out of a Diseased Tree). The halo of all our evaluation, whether me or someone else, is the concrete realization We NEED a Savior. Whatever details I need to work on to navigate the Narrow Path in pursuit of walking worthy of the Gospel, I never deviate from the need of a Savior.

Prayer:

Lord God-I need a Savior; every day and in every way. I need to see and acknowledge Your daily mercies, always new, always sufficient. Please keep me in healthy, biblical self-evaluation; away from any and all self-deception. I want to keep submitting and intentionally pursuing renewing my mind, obtaining Your perspective through Your Word, so I may always prove Your Will in me. Please keep me from extending condemnation on other folks, exhibiting self-righteousness, as if I am somehow now beyond sinning. Help me to understand and continually express my need of You, my Lord and Savior. AMEN

Scripture:

Matthew 6:12, 14-15 – and forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Observation:

Jesus is giving us a model of how to pray to our Father in the Lord’s Prayer. In verse 12 Jesus teaches us to ask for forgiveness as it is implied that we have forgiven others. Verses 14 and 15 Jesus provides clarification that those who are repentant and forgive will be forgiven. However those that do not forgive will not receive forgiveness from the Father. Jesus teaches about forgiveness in the parable of the unforgiving debtor in in Matthew 18:21-35. In that parable, the servant owed the king (God) a great debt that he could never repay, but he went to the king asked for pity and was forgiven of his debt. Then the servant left and found someone who owed him a small sum and choked him out for the money. The king, then punished and tortured the servant permanently (Hell) as Jesus explains this is what the Father will do to those unwilling to forgive.

Application:

God has forgiven me of a debt that I am unable to pay and met my greatest need. When I am truly repentant and realize this I need to not be caught in the flesh and have the ability to forgive others. This can be extremely hard especially when you feel that someone has hurt or wronged you. Whatever our situation, we may not like or condone what happened but we can be forgiving.

Prayer:

Father,
Thank you for your love, grace and forgiving me of a debt I could never repay. Let me remember the gospel, be repentant and be willing to forgive others.

Scripture:

Matthew 5:16 – In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Observation:

Jesus speaks to the witness of his followers during his sermon captured in chapter five of Matthew. He covers many topics but central is the idea that his followers are called to be salt and light to the world. Not for their glory but for the glory of God. Jesus delivers this word at a time that many of the religious people of the age were in competition to see who was the most “righteous”. They outwardly prayed and did good deeds to gain attraction in the eyes of the people. Jesus outlines a very different idea of ministry, the idea being, it is not about us but all about God’s glory.

Application:

The trap of the religious leaders still exists today. Am I motivated to do the right thing for my own accolade or for God’s glory? When I am around people who don’t know Jesus could I honestly say that I am being a light to them? The call of Jesus is to go into the world and let His light shine through me so that others will give glory to God. I desire to walk in that truth in my life. Today, I want to be someone who is walking in the light of Jesus and pointing others to His glory.

Prayer:

Thank You Jesus that it isn’t about me but all about You! Help me today to be a beacon of Your light and Your truth into a world that desperately needs to see you.

Scripture:

Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Observation:

Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  The Spirit did not tempt, however, the Spirit led Him to be tempted by the enemy. Jesus’ temptation gives every believer insight on how to defeat the attacks of the enemy. We would not have this clarity had Jesus not been tempted as we are. This passage gives Jesus’ prayer in the Lord’s Prayer, “Lord, lead me not into temptation” more context. The Spirit led Jesus to a difficult moment in our place.

Application:

The Spirit doesn’t tempt. That is what the enemy does. Because Jesus was victorious in the temptation by the devil I now have a playbook on how to overcome temptation. I can also pray “Lord, lead me not into temptation” because the enemy has already been defeated both in the wilderness and on Mount Calvary.

God’s plan included Jesus being put in incredibly difficult situations in order to win the battles I couldn’t win on my own. When I am in a tough place I know that Jesus has been there and has already won. This gives me a strong confidence and surety in the power and presence of God.

A few things…

-I need to live thankful that the Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness for temptation in order that I might pray, Lord, lead me not into temptation.

-I need to follow Jesus’ playbook in temptation. Know the Word, use the Word, trust the Word.

-I must recognize where my temptation comes from. As I follow the leadership of the Spirit I will enter into difficult situations and seasons. It doesn’t mean I am doing something wrong. I don’t do wrong until the moment I stop follow the Spirit’s lead and stop trusting the Word.

Prayer:

Thank you for winning so I could win as well. Thank you for showing me how to respond in temptation. May I make a commitment to studying, knowing and living out your Word. I will follow you Spirit and trust where you take me.

Scripture:

Matthew 3:4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

Observation:

John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Christ. In this chapter Matthew described John’s manner of life. He describes his clothes, his food and his lifestyle. They were all simple. They reflected how he lived, where he lived, who he was trying to reach and what was important to him. He lived in an appropriate manner consistent with his message and consistent with Jesus’ message. He was different and unique but was humble and remained true to his mission.

Application:

I must adapt to the situation that God has put me in. John the Baptist was not extravagant or outwardly egotistical. He was humble and lived a lifestyle that suited his message. He was consistent in his manner and never wavered which attracted followers. People came out to see him. I can be different than non –believers but I must be believable. If my dress, message, manner put people off, I cannot expect to win over followers and attract them to Christ. I do not have to bow to commercialism or bend any Christian values but I do need to consider my audience.

Image isn’t everything but it is important. What is the image that God wants me to project?

Lifestyle, including clothes and even the food you eat, demonstrate who you are and, in some cases, what your purpose is. Can I talk about the need to save money and then go eat a steak and lobster dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse? I can but no one that heard me or saw me would believe I was serious about my message. Actions speak louder than words and I should remember that I can’t ask something of someone without being willing to do the same.

John the Baptist lived a simple life. He preached a simple message: Repent. His clothes were not fancy. They were simple and strong. His food was not fancy, it was simple and sustained him. He knew the importance of the message. He knew the importance of actions mirroring his words. I need to identify the areas of my life that don’t match my message.

Prayer:

Sometimes I get caught up in the world’s view. Help me to remember the simple things. Help me to understand my audience and allow me to reach them with my words and actions.

Scripture:

Matthew 1:17

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Observation:

If my math is right, 42 generations between Abraham and the promise and the coming of the Messiah. In the genealogy of Jesus we see a whole lot of pain, problems and a sketchy history. However, It was God’s plan.

Application:

A few things…

The promises of God are generational. I can’t assume He is being slow with His promises if I don’t see or experience them immediately. It is all part of the plan.

His promises can sometimes come through the most unexpected people. I can’t afford to walk through life disqualifying people when I look at the genealogy of our Lord and see both successes and failures. 

The promises of God are eternal. Everything changed in the 42nd generation. Nothing was ever the same. I can’t get stuck in life just thinking, “this is the way it is. This is the way it has always been.” In a moment, in the midst of a generation. God can change everything!

Prayer:

42 generations. May I be about living different than the generations before me and investing my life in the hope of the promise. 

Scripture:

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high.

I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.

But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother-like a weaned child is my soul within me–O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Ps 131:1-3

Observation:

I think this passage is significant because it makes me wonder; it makes me think. What is the Psalmist saying? What is behind his prayerful declaration? Why is the Psalmist “drawing down” his heart-to quiet himself? Is it to reduce the clamor and being still to hear His Whisper?

Application:

I get busy doing “stuff.” I can even be doing “Bible stuff” or “church stuff”-more often than not I am doing “stuff stuff”-hardly a bit that I can attribute to “godly stuff” or even “good stuff.” Granted if I make merciful conclusions about myself most of the “stuff” I do I consider benign or harmless.

 It used to be that I practiced self-condemnation about this “stuff.” I got down on myself; felt like I disappointed God-He expects soooo much and I give so little. How could I possibly please Him?

 Then I found out, was taught, came to a biblical knowledge and conviction about the Doctrine of Justification and its sister Sanctification–changed my life and my walk in the comfort of the Gospel.

I sort of understand the Psalmist now. The analogy I think of is baseball. As a coach it is “play within your means, press beyond them only a little bit each time. Take what is given and use it profitably.” Another sports analogy is golf: Swing easy-it goes straighter and further. Swing hard and it is taking a turn either to the left or right-but for sure it is not going where you want it to go. The Psalmist is sort of saying the same thing: I am quieting my soul to see You alone O God. I am not thinking of the potential of the harvest field, I am not thinking of the tasks before me, I am not thinking of the conflicts and opposition of the various trials and successes/opportunities of life. I am quieting my soul, my mind, my heart-just like a child in the arms of its parent-waiting on You O Lord.

 Waiting quietly is one of the hardest, most difficult, practices/disciplines a Christian can engage in-maybe more so because I am a baby boomer American. Still-I practice. I quiet my soul. I wait for His Whisper….

Prayer:

Oh, God: I wait upon You. That’s a laugh! Of course I want to say that but the Holy Chuckle is that You see that I don’t-or if I do, I do it haphazardly and totally inconsistently. Still my desire is for You. My desire is to succeed at this-just like I want to succeed at the other disciplines. Help me Lord Jesus to quiet my heart everywhere I walk; at home fixing dinner, talking with my wife and children, talking with friends and acquaintances. As I read make me wonder in awesome wonder at how You allow connections with Your thoughts. In Your word is Life! I want to see the pulsating heart of God every time I open Your Word. AMEN.

Scripture:

Psalm 130:4-6 – But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. I long for the Lord more than sentries for long for the dawn, yes more than sentries long for the dawn.

Observation:

The Psalmist recognizes that he is a sinner with no way out except for the forgiveness of God. Because of God’s grace the psalmist, who knows he deserves judgement, learns to fear God. The psalmist relies on God and derives his hope from God’s word. In response the psalmist longs greatly for the Lord.

Application:

The psalmist laid out the straight Gospel of Jesus that I must remember and believe every day, every decision. God is our creator and a holy God to whom we are accountable. I am a sinner, who turned my back on God and was lost dead in my own sin with no way out on my own. Through His love and mercy, God provided a savior in Jesus in who I place my faith and hope. Every time you hear the Gospel it demands a response! I must never trivialize, get tired or think I am beyond the gospel. I should choose to respond with praise, adoration and reverence for the one true living God. How will you respond?

Prayer:

Father,
Thank you for your love, grace and salvation. Let me never get over your gospel and share the hope that it brings to the world. May I continue to follow you and grow in my relationship with you.

Scripture:

Psalm 126:1-3
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.

Observation:

The fortunes of Israel were restored by God through deliverance. The people began to dream again. When people dream, they also laugh, praise, and testify to God’s goodness.

Application:

Am I dreaming anymore? I have been delivered by the Lord but it is easy to stop dreaming. I can forget and get stuck in the day to day. I am convicted by this passage. Dreaming about the future is only possible when my eyes get above my day to day circumstances and I focus on what could be, versus what already is. So how do I get my eyes and mind on the future? The same way Israel did. Remember my deliverance.

The gospel gives me hope for tomorrow and sets my gaze on eternity. My life becomes about a kingdom that will never fade. A relationship that will never be taken away from me. A heavenly home that will last for all eternity. When my eyes and heart are set on eternity, I am free to dream. I am free to laugh, to shout with joy and to testify of God’s goodness.

If I am not laughing, shouting and testifying, I am not focused on the right thing. Sure, things can get tough and this world is still dark. But I have eternity in my heart. I have been given the mind of Christ. I can’t afford to waste my days void of dreams, laughs, smiles, and testifying. If I don’t, who will?

Prayer:

Getting stuck in survival mode, maintaining mode, managing mode is normal. Father, remind me that I need my eyes to be set on your deliverance. May you remind me, even when I choose to focus on other things, that eternity is mine and I am free to laugh, shout and testify. You are good. Thank you for your deliverance.

Scripture:

Psalm 124:1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
    let Israel now say—

 Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

 Observation:

 It takes the psalmist little time to reveal his purpose for this song. He is celebrating the deliverance of God from his enemies. He recognizes that God didn’t assist in the deliverance, He was the only reason for the deliverance!

 Application:

 I must remember that every victory in my life is a result of the power, presence and performance of God. He is the only reason that I succeed. He is the only reason I don’t receive judgment every time I fall short. He is the only reason I am loved. He is the only reason I exist.

 Few things…

 -Pressure and struggle is real. David faced them. Israel faced them. I will face them.

-When pressure comes, I have one place to run.

-The one I run to is able. He made heaven and earth and everything in it.

 Prayer:

Lord, you are my refuge, my help in trouble, my rescuer. May I not be foolish enough to believe that I can figure it out on my own. May every situation lead me closer to a full reliance upon you.