Author: Good Life Church

Scripture

Vs 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy …?”
Vs 4 … and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy …
Vs 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more ….”
Vs 8 … and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb … 
Vs 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You … “
Vs 11 … and the voice of many angels …
Vs 12 … saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain …” 
vs 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
Vs 14 … and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Observation 

Weeping … Worthy … and Worship … the repeated themes of Revelation 5
John weeps that no one is worthy to open the scroll.

The weeping can stop when he is told One is Worthy … the Lion who has conquered.

When the weeping stops, the worship starts. John joins in the chorus of all creatures in worshipping the worthy Lamb who was slain. 

Application 

As a Christian, I don’t have to ride an emotional roller coaster.

John went from weeping at the impossible to worshipping the One who made it possible.

No so for me … I can worship always, because I worship what has already been done and revealed.

What’s more, I can encourage others not to weep. The elders said to John, “Weep no more!”

John thought things were hopeless. Hopelessness is a tragic and despairing place to live.

Unfortunately, many today see a world that is hopeless.

Perhaps, what’s more surprising is that even more don’t seem hopeless.

Because everyone who is not a Christian should feel the weight of hopelessness.

But I get to be the bringer of Good News … “There is One who is Worthy!  Weep no more!”

So why don’t I do this more often? … How can my days not be filled with the bringing of Good News?

The answer, I’m afraid, is in what I worship?

Every living creature ultimately worship the slain Lamb.

The tougher question for me …. What am I worshipping immediately, not ultimately?

I will neglect the bringing of hope to others, when I neglect the worship of the One who is worthy today.

Am I worshipping my day … my agenda … my goals?

I will be blind to the hopelessness all around me when I do that.   

Prayer 

God, thank you again for your Word
Help it to drive me to worship today
Help me see the hopelessness around me
Help me bring the Good News of Your Worthiness

In Jesus Name

Amen

Scripture:

Rev. 3:15-16
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Observation:

As Jesus challenges the churches he addresses the church in Laodicea. They have grown comfortable and casual in their relationship with God. The riches, comforts and lack of persecution have created a stagnate stance towards God. Jesus challenges them to move from that stance. Cold is even better than lukewarm.

Application:

The coldest I have been in my relationship with Jesus has always led me back to a place of repentance. It is in the darkness and despair that I am reminded of the grace and warmth of Jesus’ love. However the most precarious position I have ever been in is when I am lukewarm. Trapped somewhere in the middle of on fire for Jesus and running 100mph in the opposite direction. I am going to church, reading my Bible, meeting with people, even doing ministry, but I am going through the motions. This is the worst place to be. A few things…

-The default for me is this. I don’t run too far away, I just hangout close enough to be around Jesus but not with him. I must recognize this and be disturbed greatly by it. The gospel is the answer. Not more church, more Bible, more serving. The answer for me is more gospel. (Meditate on the gospel everyday. I am loved, forgiven and given access to God though Christ)

-Lukewarm happens when there is no challenge or persecution. This is still true today. I like comfort but comfort long term in this world will cause a lack of growth. May I always be willing to step into a challenge and be challenged by other people. (Don’t run from challenges)

-Hot should be the goal. The heat of my relationship with God is a result of stoking the fire. I know what makes this happen. Committing to prayer, personal worship, studying His word, meditating on the gospel, loving others, biblical fellowship, etc. I struggle when I am in isolation. May I seek to be sharpened and encouraged by a band of brothers that will keep the temperature of my faith high. (Stay committed to the things that keep my faith white hot)

Prayer:

Father thank you for this reminder this morning. I don’t want to get lukewarm. Thank you for revealing to me what keeps my faith hot.

Scripture:

Revelation 2: 3- “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.  But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.  If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Observation:

Jesus is speaking to the angel of the church at Ephesus.  Through His power to overcome death, Jesus is warning the church of discipline to come or reward.  The church has to endure for the glory of Jesus. Jesus calls them to remember the love of the gospel that they first experienced as a body of believers.  Twice in verse 4 Jesus call the church to repent, embrace the love of the gospel and serve out of a response or the lampstand (church) will be removed.

Application:

Jesus’ words to the church at Ephesus are so applicable to our congregation and each and every believer including me, today.  Jesus is most concerned with our heart and our Love for God and our neighbors as ourselves. We have to be careful that we don’t stray from the love of the gospel.  Every day I must remember that God loved me so much that He sent Jesus to pay full price for my soul so I could, repent, be reconciled and have a relationship with Him!  The love of the gospel is the most powerful thing in the world and it has the power to change lives! I have to repent, embrace that, focus on the love and respond in works accordingly.   

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy.  Let me remember the love of the gospel and never forget what you have done for me.  May I repent when I make it about anything else and live a live in response to glorify you.

Scripture

¹⁷ When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, ¹⁸ and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore

Observation

Even though John fell at Jesus’ feet as though he was dead, Jesus laid his hand on him and told him to fear not. 

Application

Similar to John, when Isaiah sees a vision of God in heaven, he says, “Woe is me!” He is undone. He is aware of his unworthiness.

John sees Jesus and all he can do is fall to pieces. Jesus is that beautiful, overwhelming, worthy. 

But the crazy thing is that Jesus lays his hand on him, touches him and tells him to fear not.

It makes sense that Jesus would do this on earth but in heaven one could imagine that Jesus would be regal and not stoop down to touch John or us, but rather revel in his glory. But no, Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is a leader who condescends, stoops down to us & tell us to fear not. 

Even though our natural response is to fear. He tells us not to. He tell us we have nothing to fear because he has overcome it all. He welcomes us. 

Prayer

Thank you for being this gracious with us. I long for this day. I long to see you face to face, when faith is no more, but rather we simply see you & rejoice. Amen

Scripture:  “Beloved: Although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints…But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”  Jude 3 and 20-21

Observation:  Remembering that Jude is included in the Canon as the Word of God doesn’t make it less puzzling and sometimes weird.  Unpacking (deconstructing) the verses of Jude takes care and not a little time.  With diligence, we can find the Jewels of God’s hand within the text…

Application:   Jude was not written by Paul McCarthy or John Lennon although I can’t help singing in my mind “Hey Jude, don’t let me down…”

When I read Jude I can (and have) been taken in by what seems to be very combative and contentious rhetoric.  “Contend for the faith…”  Later on, “…snatch them out of the fire…”  And then there are the references to angelic and demonic forces, creeping wolves seeking to devour the flock, etc.

I get the hard-nosed but kind and gentle attitude of Paul and the underlying love of God gracefully communicated through his Letters.  Jude?  He takes some time and I have to be aware of some theological rabbit holes that are possible.  The thing I must remember is that Jude cannot be taken out of context of the entire New Testament.   The message from Jude must fit the entire narrative of the Bible. 

So, I read the text of Jude and I focus on the following:

• Stay true (contend) for the Faith;
• Persevere to the End.

These two points can be gleaned from the text of Jude, without any doubt.  But they are not the only pearls to be sifted.  Personally I see warnings for the man in the mirror: I don’t want to be anything like a “waterless cloud”, “fruitless tree”, “twice dead”, a wave casing up my own shame, or a “wandering star.” (v 12-13).  I don’t want to be a “grumbler”, “malcontent”, loud mouth boasters or more?  For sure I can pick out the warnings quickly and post them up on my personal “watch out on my thoughts and behavior” board.

There was a time where I wore the “Contend for the faith” on the front of my shirt, shamelessly and combatively addressing men who didn’t measure up in my estimation.  I can’t do that anymore although I know in my heart I am a little shuffle away from that superior but condemning attitude. 

To counter this I remember the Gospel: Jesus died so that I could be redeemed.  In talking to my wife last night, my review of the Gospel as it applies for me is “why did He die for me?”   Thinking this keeps me true to the Gospel, my head on straight, avoiding stinking thinking, and directs me to persevere to the End.

Prayer:   Lord God: I praise Your Name for the book of Jude.  Thank you for the grace and wisdom given to the guys deciding whether or not to put this into the Canon.  I appreciate Your grace in helping my wife and I talk through this Book, unpacking, deconstructing, and being able to talk through Jude.  Some of the questions we couldn’t get through adequately but we learned how to set them aside without anxiousness for another day, hoping in faith for more clarity from the Holy Spirit.  Unfolding Your Word is a joy, O God.  Thank you.  AMEN.

Scripture

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore…

Observation

We go because Jesus has authority. Not us. 

Application

For us, our church family, we hear about this verse often. Jesus tell us to go right before he goes. We need to go into the world & tell them about him and all that he is. But the fuel of our going is this:

Jesus is King of the universe. He has authority over everything.

Death
Disease
Money
Hurricanes
Wasps
Wars

Jesus is king over everything. He owns it all. He decides it all. He decrees it all. Nothing stands in his way. 

Therefore, go. 

We go with that fueling us, with that backing us, with that security deposit. We don’t have anything to fear because God is in charge. 

That doesn’t mean everything will be comfortable.
It doesn’t mean everything will be easy. It will probably be pretty hard. 

But Jesus is in charge. Jesus is king over the comfortable situations & the uncomfortable and costly. 

Prayer

Lord give me the strength to see that you are King. That you are in charge even when things feel terrible and hard and out of control. You are king and you are good. Remind me that because you are King I should go & take risks for your kingdom because you are the King who has sent me. Fuel my going with that. 

Scripture:  

“Jesus said to him (Judas), “Friend, do what you came to do.”  Then they (the accompanying soldiers) came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.  And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear…” (Matt 26:50-51)  Jesus said “No more of this!” and touched (the servant’s ear) and healed him. (Luke 22:51)  “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear…” (John 18:10)

Observation:   

All three of these references are about the same situation: Jesus in the Garden, Judas betrayal, Soldiers grabbing Jesus, Peter cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant.  I am looking at this imagining me being in the place of Peter.

Application:   

This morning I was feeling frustrated; the kind of frustration that is deep in the chest and doesn’t want to be addressed.

It was the kind of frustration that binds me up on the inside.  Outside, the signs are: Frowning up to scowling; crossing my arms tightly, grinding my teeth, rocking-staring at nothing in particular, and I am sure other telltales.

I was going to write something about Jesus triumphing in the Garden or something related.  But my thoughts wandered back to Peter.

What was Peter exposed to in such a short period of time at the Garden?  “Come pray with me” says Jesus.  Then it was “You three come pray with me separate from your fellows.” And then what was so embarrassing:  “Wake up!! Can’t you stay awake and be with Me in My hour?”

All of these thoughts roiling around in Peter’s mind: Concern, embarrassment, not knowing what to do next, mentally wringing his hands until they are about to fall off and then-the soldiers appear with Judas (Judas!!  Our companion!) leading them to seize Jesus.

Peter: “I have to do something…” and out comes the sword.  The rest of the story is above.  Only John names Peter; the other writers just say “…one of those that were with Jesus…”

My point for me today: I can tussle with overcoming frustration often.  Many times I hold it in and try to control it.  There are other times I inappropriately express myself although not with a sword.  Peter was with the Master continuously for three years and at a particular point of trouble, failed.  That could be me right now-when I am needed I forget all that I have learned at the feet of the Master.

The point for the man in the mirror is this: Jesus never abandons me.  Not even disappointed.  I may get a rebuke, a correction, or some such; but always “Get back on the path, son.  We’ll get through this.  Follow Me in my love for you.  I have a work to complete in you.”  Even at my worse, He reattaches the ear and says “Come on, catch up.  We have a Way to go together…”

Prayer:  

Lord God: Even now I feel that same frustration in my soul, right now, writing this.  But, through Your Word that You led me in, I remember hope.  I am not forsaken, I am not left behind, and I am just not anything but loved and cared for by You.  I confess my frustration as the sin that it is (unbelief and self-reliance), repent, and I get back on the path, following after You.  I can tell today I am going to struggle with this all the day long-but I will, by Your Graciousness and Mercy, keep my eye upon You.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Matthew 25:45-46
Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Observation:

Jesus teaches that He will return and judge the living and the dead. Those whose genuine faith in Christ led to caring for those in need are considered righteous and enjoy eternity with Jesus. Those whose empty faith did not lead to caring for those in need are cast into hell forever.

Application:

A few things…

-Genuine faith leads to caring for people with needs. Empty faith does not. The best indicator of genuine faith is not how much I know, how much I go to church or how many christian friends I have. The best indicator is how I care for those in need.

-Care”less” faith is no faith at all. Jesus’ intention for saving me was for me to care for others. His blessing me was intended for my generosity to others not my abundance personally.

-Hell is real. As a believer I don’t have to fear hell. However it should motivate me to share genuine faith with those who are faithless or who have care”less” faith.

Prayer:

Father thank you for the clarity of the teachings of Jesus. May I love out a genuine faith and not allow my life to become self-absorbed.

Scripture:

Matthew 26:6 -8,13 6- Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table.  And when the disciples saw it they were indignant saying, “Why this waste?”  13- “Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”  

Observation:

Jesus was at the home of a leper, someone outcast from society,having fellowship.  The woman had extravagant love in her heart for Jesus and responded with great generosity by anointing Him.  This is in contrast to the disciple’s response who considered her actions a waste as money could be given to the poor.  We learn in the next passage that Judas cares more about money then Jesus as he betrays him for 30 pieces of silver.  The story of the woman anointing Jesus is recorded in the gospels and told as a witness of how valuable Jesus was to her.

Application:

First, I must be available to fellowship with others.  I have to recognize that everything we do needs to point to Jesus and who He is and what He has done for us.  Our response to situations reflects the condition of our heart.  Jesus is worthy and deserving of our praise, resources, time we pour out to serve The Kingdom.  I can’t serve both Jesus and money or anything else that would come before Him.    

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy.  Let your Spirit guide me to love you and place you first above all else and live, sacrifice according to His will.  May my life be a gospel witness.

Scripture:

Matthew 23:3
so practice and observe whatever they tell you—but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

Observation:

Jesus describes the scribes and Pharisees of preaching without practicing. In the religious leadership world, this is the gravest of offenses.

Application:

What I think is critical in this passage is Jesus never asks less of the people because the leadership fell short. He still called them to obey the law. However, he calls out the religious leadership for burdening the people with the entirety of the law but only selectively practicing it themselves.

A few thoughts…

-Regardless of a leaders behavior, the scripture still stands. We should never excuse ourselves from obedience because a religious leaders acts hypocritically. (Let Jesus and the scripture be our example)

-Leaders are human. The scribes and Pharisees get a bad reputation. However all spiritual leaders have similarities to them. All spiritual leaders are called to both teach and model truth. Sometimes in the attempt to do both, leaders fall short. (Recognize when my behavior is like the scribes and Pharisees and repent)

-Practice what I preach. The challenge is not to limit what I teach to what I actually practice. I must teach the whole counsel of God’s word. Therefore in my own life I must look in the mirror each time I preach, see if I am in alignment and obedience to God’s word. I must preach the message to myself first and respond to the actions steps before anyone else. This is when the ministry is its most healthy. I can teach what I know, but I will reproduce who I am. Therefore my ministry will be capped long term at my level of obedience. (Practice what I preach)

Prayer:

Father thank you for your patience with me. May I do what I preach. May I teach and model your word.

Scripture:  

 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant…?”  Matt 24:36 and 45a

Observation:  

Chapter 24 is chock full of Jesus speaking of the end times or “That Day.”  There is lots of stuff that can fuel the imagination and prod me into an investigation to find “the answer.”  But, isn’t the Scripture clear that the ‘answer’ isn’t able to be sleuthed out because it is held by the mightiest of secret keepers?

Application:  

I became a Christian in the early 70’s, right about when Hal Lindsey published “The Late Great Plant Earth”, my first book about That Day.  I found that there was an abundance of writing about Jesus’ return.  I was certain that the year 2000 was to herald the Coming of the Lord.

Oops, missed that.  Maybe it is now 2030 or 2033?  Beats me.

It is still curious to me why folks spend days and years trying to figure out an answer, a solution to something that is plainly not available to mortal man.  Not only mortal men, but the complete inhabitants of Heaven, save for the Father Himself.

Am I supposed to look at the times and see the world in light of the plain warnings of Scripture?  Sure, no argument there.  I ignore the signs at my own peril of incompliance with His directive to be aware.  But the question is how should I react?  Scripture is plain and I don’t intend to list out the check points here.

The way I have chosen to act is adopting a saying for my life: “Live as if Jesus is returning today, plan like His is not returning for 100 years.”  This is a delicate balance of saying (and meaning) “Come Lord Jesus, come” and persevering to the End.  Endurance is a gift of the Holy Spirit and it implies that there is a time element that I have to grind out my Christian walk on a day by day basis.  Romans 8:29 plainly indicates that God Himself is “conforming us to the Image of the Son”, another indication of a process rather than an instantaneous result.

So why have I found this important?  Looking for a time, a day, a year to stake out doesn’t help me to grow in maturity and wisdom.  How wise is it anyway to search for something that the Father is holding so close to the vest that not even the Son has a clue?  Deut 29:29a says: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God…”  The verse goes on to say that the revealed stuff belongs to us so that we can do all the things of the Law, or in other words, obey His Word.

Therefore, I pay attention but don’t waste my time looking for things that without a doubt cannot be found.  I do, however, want to press into what He has revealed because those particular riches can never be plumbed to the end of discovering something rich in His Word.

Besides, it isn’t like there is an “End of Days” pool going on…

Prayer:  

Lord, thank you for letting me have an imagination but one based on being astonished and amazed at Your Word.  Serving doesn’t come natural-in fact it is downright antithetical to holiness but right in line with my innate sin nature.  I want to mortify selfishness in me.  Please give me insight on how to do this while in parallel empowering me through the Holy Spirit.  Just knocking off the rust on the Armor bit by bit, daily.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Vs 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle (Jesus) in his words.

Vs 16 … saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.

Vs 17 Tell us, then, what do you think …

Vs 22 When (the Pharisees) heard it, they marveled. And they left (Jesus) and went away.

Vs 23 The same day Sadducees came to (Jesus) … and they asked him a question,

VS 29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.

Vs 34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.

Vs 35 And … asked (Jesus) a question to test him.

Vs 41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question …

Vs 42 “What do you think about the Christ?

Vs 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Observation:

The religious authorities were conspiring to trick or trap Jesus in His teachings.

They used flattery and false compliments to get close to Jesus and then set Him up with questions.

They also wanted Jesus to affirm what they already believed or thought about the Law and Prophets.

When they didn’t hear what they wanted to hear, they gathered with like-minded opponents to Jesus … even they disagreed with each other on other issues.

Their common disagreement was with Jesus.

Jesus stated plainly that they were wrong because they did not know the Word of God or the Power of God.

After many questions put to Him, Jesus puts one questions to them: “What do you think about the Christ?”

When they did not hear what they wanted to hear from Jesus, they went away.

And no one dared ask any more questions.

Application:

I can be “right” about Jesus and have an accurate description of Jesus … (“true”, “teaching the ways of God”, “not swayed by opinion or appearance”) … and yet, still have an artificial closeness to Him.

I can have a right knowledge about Jesus and a wrong heart about Jesus.

Jesus said the religious authorities did not know the Scripture or the Power of God.

This is fascinating, because they actually had it memorized.

Their confidence, however, was in themselves … their knowledge … their power.

Are my questions of Jesus seeking affirmation of myself or affirmations of Christ?

What motivates my questions of God? … Is it a desire to grow closer to my Savior? Or is it a desire for more knowledge?

When I am wrong … When I disagree with God, do I seek out others who think like me to affirm my own thinking?

Or do I dig deeper into God’s Word to see a change of my own heart? 

What am I swayed by more? … The Power of God’s Word or the power of man’s opinions?

Prayer:

Thank you again for your Word, Father.

Help me Holy Spirit to seek answers to my questions from a humble place.

Help me to stay focused on the most important question

What do I think about the Christ

In Jesus name

Amen