Author: Good Life Church

Scripture:

“Beware (or be aware) of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven…do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that your giving may be in secret…And when you pray do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do for they think that they will be heard for their many words.  Do not be like them…”excerpted from Matt 6: 1-8a

Observation:   

As I learn about avoiding self-righteousness, I start to see it through the Scriptures more and more.  It is everywhere.  My hope is only in the Cross; my effective service is always to God first and foremost…

Application:    

Beware (or be aware) of practicing MY righteousness before people…

I appreciate the Holy Spirit convicting me over and over about this subject because if there is one thing I can slip into easily it is an attitude of religious superiority.

“I am saved…”  Most of my life I have said or thought this proudly like I am now somehow better, different in positional authority, closer to God, etc.   Really I am stoking the fire of my own self-righteousness.  What is it called in the Scriptures?  Besides being foolish (translate: stupid) I have become the Pharisee of my time and place.

How do I guard against that?  Simply put: Review the Gospel with the face in the mirror.

This is more than “Jesus loves me, this I know…” however accurate and powerful this statement is.  It is becoming a student of the Gospel and breaking down all the extraordinary and wonderful facets concerning the story of the Good News.

Here are a couple of things:

*         Having a holy ambition is a good thing.  Having an ambition to be “seen by men” is not.  Be aware of the difference.

*         As much as possible serve in secret.  This one sentence puts the “marketing and sales” mentality that any believer can assume into the garbage.  If God elevates, all good.  Be sensitive to the difference.

*         Practice praying strategically and then tactically.  Practice praying without anyone’s eyes but His on you.  A device to practice with?  Pray out of Psalms-make what the Psalmist says what you say-put it in your own words.

*         Avoid empty phrases.  ‘Nuff said about that.

Two guys go to Temple.  One of them is dressed to the nine’s and is by accounts a highly religious guy, a Pharisee.  He prays: “Thank You, God, for not making me like one of these heathen around me.”  The other guy, a tax collector, stands a ways off and prays: “O God, have mercy on me a sinner…”  Jesus asks “which one of these will God hear?  Hint: It won’t be the first guy…”  Read the story at Luke 18:13.

Prayer:  

Lord God, You know that the ambition thing is something I struggle with daily-more than daily, moment by moment.  I want to learn and remember about the Gospel more and more.  It is a subject that I don’t think has any ending or conclusion.  I thank You for the little glimpse into the cost of the Atonement You as Father experienced.  My experience was only a dim shadow but it spoke to me all the same.  Bless my wife with better health, please.  AMEN.

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 is telling the disciples how to live a life of character that will point others to God.  We are not to be followers of Christ by living unchanged just like those who do not believe.   Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we are to cast His light into darkness.  We are to respond to the gospel, not to be saved but to love others to give the glory to God.  

Application:

They will know we are Christians by our love our love for others.  We are commanded by Jesus to love God and our neighbor as ourselves.  We are recipients of the greatest expression of love the world will ever know in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He loved first, therefore we love.  As Jesus tells the disciples, our response to the gospel is to serve others in good works not for self but to glorify God.  As a follower of Jesus, I can’t allow my light to become dim.  We are called to be different and serve where God has placed a burden on our heart.  Our action speaks louder than our words.  Sometimes just listening to someone’s story while serving those who are hurting can change lives and have eternal consequences.  

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy.   Let your Spirit guide me to live a life where I serve others to glorify you.  

 

 

Scripture:

Matthew 4:2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry

Matthew 4:11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

 

Observation:

Jesus’ humanity is on full display in this passage. He is hungry, tired, weak. This is when the enemy comes to tempt Him. However we see in vs. 11 that at any moment the angels could have rescued Him, fed Him, attended to Him. However his “weakness” was a choice. This choice makes it clear that He felt what we feel in our moments of weakness. 

 

Application:

Jesus could have done anything He wanted. He had commanding authority over angels who were aware of every tough moment he faced. However instead of exercising this authority throughout his time on earth, Jesus instead humbled Himself and submitted to the mission. The mission of embodying humanity fully for our sake and living victoriously in all moments, even if no one else was looking. In the synagogues, in the cities, villages and even in the wilderness, Jesus was fully obedient. Obedient even to death on a cross for our sake. 

A few things…

-Full obedience is the most powerful way to exercise authority. I am walking in the most power when I am following Jesus fully. 

-Just because we “can” doesn’t mean we “should.” Without a clear mission we fight to do everything we are able to do. When the mission is clear we instead do what we should do to align with the mission. I can’t afford to waste my life fighting to exercise all my freedoms and miss out on the things I need to do in order to fulfill my mission. 

-In Christ I have the God of angel armies by my side.  It doesn’t mean that I won’t ever face hard times. But when those times come, I know He is near and that whatever I face is part of the plan for my life. In my weakest moments I choose to be attended to by His word, His presence, His angels and not the stuff of this world. 

 

Prayer:

Father thank you for the insight into a difficult moment in the life of Jesus. May I remember that when I face hard times, you know how I feel, and what I need most. Hard times don’t mean you have left me alone. Rather it means you are near and ready to provide care for me when I finish the moment of testing.

Scripture:  

“But when he (John) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism he said to them, “You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance and do not presume to say to yourselves “We have Abraham as our father” for I tell you God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.”

I baptize you with water for repentance but He who is coming after me is mightier than I (whose sandals I am not worthy to carry).  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire…” Matt 3:7-11

Observation:   

A distinction is being made here.  There are authentic converts and not so authentic converts.  Which one do I want to pursue being?

Application:  

Earlier in this chapter John is quoted as saying “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand!”

I speculate that Israel at that time could have been just like what I think I see in America: “I am in good stead with God because I am (Hebrew/American).”  “I am in good stead with God because I do (good works/believe)” and other associated phrases like these.

Pharisees and Sadducees are examples that John calls out: “…do not presume to (invoke Abraham as a reason) because God is able to raise up authentic children of Abraham.” (paraphrase)

Authenticity is a touchy subject.  If I insist on authenticity it can be viewed as legalistic.  If I don’t, it can be viewed as “loose or greasy grace.”  But for the guy in the mirror, my authenticity is paramount: I must heed John’s exclamation-Bear fruit in keeping with repentance!

Paul wrote about this with Timothy: “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them so that all may see (attest to) your progress.  Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this…” 1 Tim 4:15-16a

Am I worthy of Jesus?  If I am being brutally honest with myself-no; I can never be worthy.  That is one of the foundational points of the Gospel-His absolute worthiness was given for my absolute unworthiness.  Do I have to remind myself of this unalterable fact?  More times than I care to admit for I can succumb to counting my own “worth” at the drop of a hat-just like the Pharisees and Sadducees above.

I want that baptism with “the Holy Spirit and fire” thing.  He wants give it?  Then I want to receive it.  I want to be a practicing, authentic, type of follower…

Prayer:   

My goodness, Lord.  How clear is Your Word?  Help me to bow my heart and head to Your Will authentically and with singular purpose.  Knowing I can only draw near to You because of the Cross, I want to please You in every respect.  Change my heart daily O God to worship You more.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Matthew 2:3-6,13-18
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Observation:

Three times in this chapter a situation arises that shakes life up. Whether it was King Herod being shaken by another King born, Joseph being shaken when warned that his family was threatened and had to flee, or even the entire nation being shaken at the massacre of children by a wicked king life has a way of shaking us up. However each of these examples are followed by the quotation of an Old Testament prophesy from hundreds of years before. What does that mean? The shaky moments of life, the uncertain moments of life are not uncertain to God. He knew already and somehow it is part of His plan, even when it is hard to see.

Application:

These three examples are hard to use when discussing the sovereignty of God. A wicked kings jealously and insecurity? Having to leave home for a foreign nation because of death threats? Children being massacred? Not quite the topics we want to lead with when discussing the sovereignty of God.

However we must. Why? Because it is true. It is revealed. It gives us insight. All three of these examples are times in life in which it seemed like God wasn’t there. A sideways leader… where is God? A death threat… where is God? Children dying… where is God? However we find in this passage that God is right there. Each of these situations not only known by God but orchestrated by Him from the beginning and revealed to His people hundreds of years before. So how can we be ok with this?

A few things…

-I don’t have to be ok with it for it to be true. God’s sovereign plan makes us uneasy. Why? Because we would do it differently. We would choose another way. Not because we are better or more insightful, but exactly the opposite. Because we are finite and only see the temporary. God isn’t in heaven waiting for me to be ok with His sovereignty. His sovereignty is a fact. The only person hindered by me wrestling with this is me, not him.

-Shaky situations aren’t shaky to God. A man threatening His son on earth and a massacre of children in an attempt to kill His son didn’t scare God. He knew it would happen. He planned it. Each step along the way pointing people towards the most important person in history. Setting the stage for the one who the whole universe was created by. When I find myself in a shaky situation, I can hold on to God. He knows, He plans, He will give me peace. My shaky situation is safe in His sovereign plan.

-Pain and loss don’t mean bad. The stress of Herod, the stress on Mary and Joseph and their family, and the pain and loss of the parents of the children of Israel seemed bad. We would all do everything we could to escape these situations. Stress, threats and the loss of loved ones are all things to avoid or try to escape. However what I find this morning is that each of these “bad” things were simply steps to the “best” thing that has ever happened for mankind. These “bad” things led to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. This is my living hope. I can’t move too quickly to call stress, pain or loss bad. I can’t spend life trying to escape things that ultimately are leading to what God wants most in my life and the life of those around me. I must learn to trust Him more than the voice that tells me to avoid problems and pain. Trust.

Prayer:

Here you go again God. Timely word. Life giving. Gospel clarifying. You are sovereign. This is sobering and comforting.

Scripture:

Matthew 1

Vs 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came togethershe was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.

Vs 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

Vs 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife,

Vs 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

Vs 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us).

Vs 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife …

 

Observation:

Matthew gives us a list of all the families from Abraham leading right up to the family of Jesus.

And then gives details of the circumstances of Jesus’ immediate family.

Nobody could possibly make this up.

The Savior of the world born to a couple of unwed teens.

Yet, there is plenty of chaos in the genealogy leading right up to it.

Even Abraham, who started it all, went out “not knowing where he was going”.

Joseph made his own plans to escape the messiness of his circumstances … “divorce her quietly”.

He even did this from a good heart and intentions … “being a just man”.

But God had other plans … “do not fear to take Mary as your wife”.

 

Application:

Do I believe that having God in my life will make my life easier?

Do I believe that having God in my life will make my life more comfortable?

Do I believe that living out the will of God will be easier and safer and less risky?

Only people that don’t read the bible could possibly believe that.

The story of Joseph is just one of countless others that detail how living out the will of God will generally be the harder decision.

Do I make plans for my life to escape messy situations and avoid uncertainty?

Am I willing to put my reputation at risk for the sake of bucking cultural trends or social pressures?

Do I seek first the Kingdom of God or the “wide path” of easy living and pleasure?

Once I have made choices, am I willing to listen for God’s redirection? (Joseph changed “as he considered these things”)

How can so many Christians believe the Christian life is supposed to be easier?

Joseph’s life became incredibly more difficult after God entered his life in the most tangible of ways!

How can I be as obedient as Joseph?

How can I be as courageous as Joseph?

How can I be as willing to change my thinking as Joseph?

I must remember why “all this took place” …. “GOD IS WITH US”!

If I remember that God is with me in all difficulty, in all hard choices, in all uncertain circumstances … this is what gives me the courage to take the “narrow road” … the road of faith.

 

Prayer:

Thank you, God for your Word.

Help me to know you are with me.

Give me your courage to walk in difficult circumstances

Help me see you when I am afraid

In Jesus name

Amen   

 

Scripture:  

Psalm 132:7

Let us go to his dwelling place; 

let us worship at his footstool!

 

Observation:   

The psalmist is declaring the chosen people and land of God and also the response that should take place of the people. He shows his distress but also his response. 

Application:   

I think of one word when I read this today, Humility. Let us go to his dwelling place is something that we have a problem doing now days. We are too busy, we don’t want to, we have better things to do rather than to meet with God with his people. There is also pride this hides and shows itself in our hearts, yet we must realize that we are called to lower ourselves and worship the Lord at his feet. We are to take on his Spirit and walk in his ways. This is hard and we need prayer. 

Prayer:   

Father, help me to walk in your ways. Help me to value going to your dwelling place and show me how to humble myself. Put people in my life to model it for me and may I always go to Jesus and examine his life and replicate it. Thank you for your grace and mercy. 

Scripture:  

“Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord!
O Lord: hear my voice!  Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord who could stand?  But with You there is forgiveness that You may be feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in His word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.”  Ps 130:1-6

Observation:   

The Psalmist is being candid about his turmoil.  In anguish he cries to the Most High God by doing what?  Being transparent about his heart and recounting doctrine.

Application:   

Soundbites are so much easier.  I am subjected to them all the time.  When I watch the politicking talking heads on the news shows I hear the same bit phrases over and over.  After a very short while I get frustrated and ask the TV: “Be specific, show examples, explain why, and stop throwing the same meaningless phrases out there!”  What I see is these constant phrases being tossed out into the public and hoping that the listeners are interpreting the meaning the same way.  Doesn’t always happen…

As a believer for a few years now, I have seen the same thing out of contemporary Christianity.  Spiritual soundbites lifted from the Scriptures and repeated over and over again-more than a few times lifted out of context because oh boy, do they sound good!  Jason preached on that a few months ago.

Doctrine, though, seems to get a bad rap.  While not ever replacing Scripture, doctrine serves to analyze, categorize, deduce, and understand the Scriptures: their themes, teachings, precepts and principles.  To be fair, doctrine also reins in speculations, deviations from sound doctrine, and spotty independent thinking and practice-things that smack of legalism.

The Psalmist isn’t having any of that; he is crying out with sound doctrine peppering his cries that I certainly cannot dredge out of my heart on any moment’s notice.  I recognize the doctrine of Sin, the doctrine associated with the Attributes of God, the doctrines associated with Mercy and Forgiveness, and more.   I revert to trying to quickly figure out how to escape my troubles independently from God.  Pray?  Wait? (Note: either as a servant to his Master or in exercising patience).  Wait hoping in his Word?  Who does that anymore?  Many times I don’t; even when I try this mode of action gets abandoned quickly because it is much more satisfying doing something-frankly I succumb to thinking praying (even fervently) isn’t really “doing something.”

Learning and knowing about Doctrine isn’t the entire answer either.  Like after school, what we do with that knowledge defines how well a student we were.   For folks like us, being a disciple means learning all my life until That Day when I stand before the Throne and more than likely for the rest of Eternity.

So what will I do?  When I am in the depths of despair, anguish, and trouble I will cry to the Lord.  I will not stop my cry but repeat it for His ears over and over again.  I will acknowledge my iniquity and His deserved Wrath but also acknowledge His profound mercy in forgiving me.  And I will wait patiently, wait as a servant for his Master; I will cultivate waiting fearfully and hope in His Word.

Prayer:   

Father God.  Is there one thing that messes up my thinking of You than the subject of fearing You?  And yet, the more I learn about You, the more I understand fearing You.  The scripture testifies of the inevitability of falling down in fear on That Day, on which I will tremble being in Your Presence.  And yet, You will open Your arms and welcome me, redeemed by the Lamb, adopted as a child.

Help me to pray like the Psalmist; not just mimicking his pattern of prayer (although I probably couldn’t go wrong there) but imitating the depth of his praying.  I want to know You more and the power of the Cross.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Psalm 127:3-5  Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!  He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Observation:

The Psalmist is telling us that all things come from the grace of God and without God in the equation our efforts are useless.  Verses 3-5 speaks directly about the blessing of children.  Our children are gifts from the Lord, they belong to Him, but he gives us strength and wisdom to raise them.  Our role is to raise and prepare them to be sent out as part of God’s plan.    

Application:

I must recognize that God is soverign and in control of all things.  God, has blessed me with children that are His not mine.  My role is to shepherd them, raise them in the knowledge of the Lord and for God to mature them to be released like arrows prepared to serve the Kingdom.  I will rely on God, through His word and prayer, for strength, wisdom and discernment to raise His children that he has given me the privilege of being their earthly father. God has entrusted me with this responsibility, not to be taken lightly or think it will all be good, happen easily or without sharing the love of Christ.  The minute I think I am doing this alone and face adversity I am likely to punt/checkout. All things come to us by the grace of God, especially the blessing to raise His children prepared to serve the Kingdom.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for the privilege, gift to raise your children.  Let your Spirit give me strength to have wisdom, discernment to shepherd them to you.

Scripture:

Psalm 124:1-2
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—let Israel now say—if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us,

Observation:

The psalmist mediates on this truth, “had it not been for the Lord…”

Application:

This is a healthy thing to meditate on. Sometimes life gets going and it is easy to take the presence, power and promises of God for granted. However, if I sit and think this morning about this, my spirit is renewed and my heart is full of thanksgiving.

Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side…

-I would have stayed lost.
-I would have gone down the same path as my family.
-I would have been defined by my mistakes.
-I would have never known perfect love.
-I would never experienced grace.
-I would have never known the blessing of leading anyone to the Lord.
-I wouldn’t have met my wife.
-I wouldn’t have my kids.
-I wouldn’t have a song in my heart.
-I wouldn’t know pure joy.
-I wouldn’t have know the peace of being in His presence.
-I wouldn’t have security when my life seems shaky.
-I wouldn’t have met the people I call my friends.
-I wouldn’t have had 20+ years of the joy of ministry.
-I wouldn’t have a clear sense of purpose.
-I wouldn’t have anywhere to go or anyone to run to in my deepest pains and hurts.
-I wouldn’t have experienced healing.
-I would never felt the feeling of the Lord using me or His Spirit flowing through me to help others.
-I would have never heard His voice.
-I wouldn’t know His word.
-I wouldn’t have a rock to cling to.
-I wouldn’t have led my family in prayer or had the strength to lead or encourage them.
-I wouldn’t have planted a church or got involved with planters.
-I wouldn’t know Good Life, or had the joy of seeing a community respond to Jesus and the body of believers grow in depth and discipline.
-I wouldn’t have traveled and seen the nation.
-I would have never been to India.
-I wouldn’t have seen His miraculous power
-I would never had experienced His deliverance.
-I wouldn’t know the power of forgiveness.
-I wouldn’t be your son. I wouldn’t know you as Father.
-I would still be lost, broken and dead inside.

I must remember this today as I love out my life and invest in others. Especially those who don’t know Jesus. So much of my life revolves around and is dependent on Jesus. I need to see others without Jesus as missing out on life, Joy, peace and salivation. I can’t afford to assume they are ok without Him or assume someone else will tell them or show them.

Prayer:

Father, I could go on and on. Had it not been for the Lord… You have been so good to me. You have rescued, redeemed and revitalized my existence. Had it not been for you, I would have nothing, know nothing and have done nothing that matters in this life. Had it not been for the Lord.

Scripture:  

“I was glad when they said to me “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!  Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God till He has mercy on us.”  Ps 122:1 and 123:1-2

Observation:  

 I observe that many of these later Psalms are of the vein of calling to recalibrate our minds to Whom we worship: not tasks, not stuff, not anything but “You, only You, are God and the love of my life.  I want to see You and savor You all my days…”

Application:   

I like the word “calibrate.”

In the laboratory, measuring instruments have to be calibrated to a standard.  This is so the results of that instrument will match the instrument on the other desk.  A scale has to be calibrated to a standard so the weights will be what is expected-1 pound on this scale will be the same as 1 pound on another.   I remember from Proverbs that unequal scales are an abomination to the Lord.

So what does “calibrate” have to do with these passages?

Just this: I can move off center on the main focus for me: God Himself.  All the stuff I am supposed to do, all of the objectives, the tasks, the actions can get me so involved that I forget that the target of all these actions revolves around God.

Peter wrote: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Pet 2:9)  I think it is important to note that to “proclaim the excellencies of Him” Peter writes about precursors: Proclaiming His Excellencies is not only to ones who haven’t heard it before but to our own hearts and our church community as well so that we remember (often) Whom we serve.

So we “recalibrate” our minds just like we are directed in Romans 12.

I remember what Jesus said to the Disciples when they came back from being sent to declare the Kingdom.  The Disciples were stoked about responses, healings at their hands, demons being tossed…a bunch of good stuff, exciting stuff.  Jesus said, “Glad you enjoyed yourselves but get your head on straight.  First be glad your names are written in the Book of Life.” Perhaps the short version is “Him first, them second.”

Prayer:   

Father, I must write this to myself over and over, pounding it with a holy hammer (as it were) because I forget so quickly and so often.  Help me, I pray, not to be so focused on the task before me that I forget the One who sent me.  Teach me to worship You even more.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Psalm 120:1 
In my distress I called to the Lord,and he answered me.

Psalm 121:1 
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

Observation:

The psalmist describes a life of distress and desperation. However he also describes a God who answers and comes to his aide.

Application:

Life has problems. The world is not a friendly place. People try to hurt us. Times of desperation and distress come. This isn’t something to be surprised by. This shouldn’t lead us to think something is wrong. Instead we need to know where our help comes from and call out to Him. We need to believe that he hears and furthermore that he answers.

A few things…

-Expect problems (A faith that teaches we won’t have problems if we obey is simply not true)

-Know we need help and where our help comes from. (Self-help and self-reliance are the opposite of Christianity. God doesn’t help those who help themselves. Instead he comes to the aide of those who cry out for help.)

-Remember He made heaven and earth. Whatever we are asking Him to aide us in can’t be more difficult than creation. If he spoke the earth into existence. If he hung the stars and planets in place, I think he can handle my relationship issue or my financial problem. If He can handle telling the ocean where to stop, I think he can defend me before my enemies.

Prayer:

Father, difficulties come. I know where my help comes from. I need you.

 

Scripture:

Vs 7 I, (Paul), have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
Vs 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus …
Vs 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.
Vs 16 … (Onesimus) no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother …
Vs 17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me.
Vs 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.

Observation:

Paul is sending Onesimus, Philemon’s slave, back to Philemon.
Paul wants Philemon to receive him back not as a “bondservant”, but as a “beloved brother”.
Interestingly, Paul makes his request by speaking of the heart at the beginning, middle, and end of his writing to Philemon.
Initially, Paul indicates that Philemon has “refreshed the hearts of the saints” by the sharing of his faith.
Then, Paul says that the sending of Philemon is the sending of “my very heart”.
Finally, Paul says that the warm reception of Onesimus by Philemon will “refresh my heart in Christ”.

Application:

It’s always so incredible to me to read of Paul’s transformed heart. A man who wanted people murdered for having the wrong thoughts, now speaks so frequently of “joy” and “love” and “heart”.
It is so clear that Paul is a new person in Christ. And now Onesimus, a slave, is a new person … a “brother”.
But a new creation must reveal and show himself to be new with new actions.
Philemon, if he has a “refreshed heart”, will accept Philemon back as a “brother”, not as his runaway slave.
Each of the three here, regardless of status, teacher, student, or slave, are “brothers”.
Paul tells Philemon to receive Onesimus as he would Paul.
So, the question to me is, Would I receive the “lowliest new Cristian” just as I would a “hero of my faith”?
Would I treat people different? Would I distinguish my respect for any two Christians?
Paul, the teacher, says it would “refresh his heart” to treat all as brothers.
Another lesson from Paul for me here … Paul, the “superior teacher”, is sending what is useful to him away from himself to be useful for the sake of others.
Am I willing to do so?
Is it “refreshing to my heart” for me to experience loss so that others may gain?
Paul say this is the only “benefit” he wants … the “refresh of my heart in Christ” when brothers in Christ reconcile and pour themselves out for “the sake of Christ”.
What an amazing letter written by a man in prison.
Could I write while in prison that I am personally experiencing “joy” and “comfort” and “love” and a “refreshed heart”?
This is a man truly willing to be poured out.
Paul asks me to do nothing that he has not done himself.

Prayer:

Thank you, God, for your Word.
Help me see all Christians as my brother.
Help me release who is useful to me for the benefit of others.
Help me have the benefit of a refreshed heart
In Jesus name
Amen  

Scripture:

Titus 3:3-7

³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

 

Observation:

Paul reminds Titus that every believer used to be lost. That every church person used to live a life apart from God that was defined by all types of emptiness and darkness. In vs. 4 Paul uses the word, “but”. Though this was the way of life before Christ, when He appeared and revealed himself to them, lives changed. Why? Not because of behavior shifts and personal sacrifices by the people. Instead believers are saved by His mercy, by the working of His Spirit, by the power and presence of Jesus and by the justifying power of his grace.

 

Application:

Three things…

 

-Don’t forget where I came from. Apart from Jesus my life was dark and empty. There is no romancing the old way of life. It was broken and depraved. (Remember)

 

-BUT! This in fact is the greatest message of hope. My life was a mess BUT, God intervened. My new life, my new existence is a result of this moment… BUT! Not a result of me changing my mind or having enough, or coming to my senses. It is because God saw my life, BUT had another plan! (With God there is always a BUT)

 

-Grace. Grace. God’s Grace. I can never forget his grace is what saved, sustains and leads me to the next step. I would be nowhere without HIS GRACE. May this be my story today and my hope.(My story is Grace)

 

Prayer:

 

Father thank you for seeing me in my darkness and changing everything with your grace. Had it not been for you, where would my life be? I am grateful for your mercy, love and grace today.

Scripture:

Titus 1:9 – He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also rebuke those who contradict it.

Observation:

Paul is giving instruction to Titus, a young pastor, on qualifications for leadership and problems arising within the church at Crete.  After Paul reviews all the other necessary traits to be an elder, the final distinguishing characteristic of an elder is someone who holds firm to the truth in God’s word.  A church leader should also be able to communicate, encourage the flock with sound teaching and correct those who have opposing views.   

Application:

I must take Paul’s advice for Titus and hold on to the truth in God’s word that is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Paul’s encouragement for Titus to lead the 1^stcentury church in Crete is every bit applicable to Good Life Church in Bradenton, Florida in 2018.  The gospel of Jesus is where we must build, start, continue and lead our church and discipleship.  When we begin to stray from gospel, we risk either too much grace (doing what I want because I’m covered) or too many works (legalistic religious activity to be saved) both of which are rooted in self and not the saving grace only available from God. 

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word.  Let your Spirit guide me to be grounded in your word, able to clearly communicate your gospel with others and defend the gospel from false teaching