Category: Good Life Journal

Journal Gal 6 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Brothers: If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.

Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is “something” (when he is nothing), he deceives himself.

[But] Let each one test his own work…and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor—for each will have to bear his own load.” Gal 6:1-5

Observation: Operational Christianity! This is a description of humility in thought, word, and deed.

Analysis: What is the usual breakdown in the practice of accountability? The assumption of superiority—I am lording over another, presumably to help the weak.

“And (Jesus) said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and those in authority are called “benefactors.” But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves…” Luke 22:25-26

“…not domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.” 1 Pet 5:3b

I get this mixed up often, especially with my wife. It is easy to apply this to brother Joe, whom I see maybe twice or three times a week for an hour or three total—a hit here, a hit there, feeling pretty good that I gave “good advice”, but…I can’t do that with my spouse. I must walk the walk because I am ALWAYS seen.

To the Galatians, Paul brings the following principles (not in order). If I see a brother trespass:

1. Be committed to be gentle. Firm, but gentle.
2. Remember that I have walked/am walking in his shoes and have no right to feel superior; I need a Savior daily.
3. Pay attention to the temptation of having an attitude of superiority.
4. Bear another’s burden. Superiority may be first revealed by having an “arm’s length” approach to ministry.
5. “For if anyone thinks he is “something” (when he is nothing), he deceives himself.” Can’t say this any better.

Are there other steps? Sure, there are: progressive discipline can be applied (c. Matt 18), but that is not what is being taught by Paul (although all the warnings are still applicable).

These are “everyday” principles being described by Paul, all of them descriptions of Humility.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your word. Thank you for the reminder of humbly walking in your footsteps with being a servant of the Most High front of mind.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

Galatians 5:13-14 – For you were called to freedom brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another . For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Observation-
Paul is exhorting the Galatians that they are no longer bound by the law. There is freedom in Christ and they are to live by the Spirit. No longer being under the law does not mean you are free to engage in unrepentant sin. When you have receive the Spirit and the love of Christ we are to live and love like Jesus to our neighbors.

Application-
I am not longer bound to the law, the law is there to remind me and convict me of sin. It is incorrect theology for me to think Jesus died for me, therefore I’m saved so I can have freedom to do anything worldly in the flesh continually. As a believer in Jesus, I have received the Spirit and I am a new creation in Christ called to love Him and others. God loved me so much that he sent His Son to die for me. I must receive that love and share it wherever I am called with our neighbors here and around the world. There are many neighbors in need, physically, financially, and spiritually. Wherever God’s heart breaks and you feel burdened there is a neighbor to love in the nam of Jesus.

Prayer-
Father,
Thank you for the freedom you have given me in Christ! Let the power of the Spirit give me eyes to see and a heart to love others to glorify you!

Journal Gal 3 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: (Paul speaking) “To give a human example, brothers: Even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified…

This is what I mean: the law (which came 430 years afterward) does not annual a covenant previously ratified by God—so as to make the promise (covenant) void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise…but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For it a law had been given that could give life, the righteousness would indeed be by the law.

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now, before faith came, we were held captive under the law—imprisoned—until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our “guardian” until Christ came in order that we would be justified by faith.” Excerpts from Gal 3:15-24

Observation: There is an argument going on here with the Galatian church: what are Christians justified by? By keeping the Law (rules) or by Faith? Has the same argument been waged by people over the centuries?

Analysis: Justification and sanctification: these terms get mixed up and misunderstood by the Church seemingly all the time—more operationally than academically.

All I must do is look at myself every morning: What is easier? Following a set of rules, or set off every day in faith? Even these questions are fuzzy because I am not getting to the root of the issue.

What is the root of the daily issue? The Gospel—and how I relate to it; what I remember and pound in my puny brain—because I intrinsically resist Justification by Faith. Intrinsically, because I am eaten up with the Sin of Adam. (Review Gen 3 and especially take notice of the serpent’s whisper to Eve in verse 5: “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God…” Succumbing to the temptation to “be like God” and call my own shots to be equal to God, not ever having His rule over me, a traitor—this is the Sin Jesus died for.)

The Galatians were just like me. I want to live my life with pass/fail, objective rules (the Law)…and I want to be graded on the curve—conducting myself with subjective morality. Except the Law is given to show that Man cannot obey a set of rules and find the result is that God will accept me with mercy and forgiveness: “Aw, you lied on your taxes. That’s alright, everybody did that year…I’ll just forget about it because everybody failed to obey what I said to do.” That is how I can imagine God relating to me. The Galatians did too.

The Law was given to show that everyone fails because of indwelling Sin.

So, what is my point? Unpacking and getting into the foundational principles of the Gospel was important to Paul and should be to me.

Justification by Faith is all of God’s Sovereignty. The Triune God made a way that Sinful Man can be justified and forgiven—it does not include a “check-off” list of rules or Law to be adhered to. The Son of God died for my Sin-STOP. I acknowledge that it is so. STOP. I acknowledge that in FAITH. STOP. I surrender and act accordingly based on that acknowledgment in Faith. STOP.

And I do it every day. Why? Because I forget and want to revert to a list of moral rules for my justification daily—even if these “rules” are scripturally based, I cannot substitute adhering to rules for Faith in Jesus Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice for creation.

PS: Pursuing obedience is the secondary aspect of being a disciple—Sanctification; it cannot get ahead of justification by faith.

Prayer: Father, I think because I am in a hurry to learn and go to the next “thing”, it allows me to minimize the impact of daily reinforcement of the foundation of the Gospel. And I think I cannot skip that daily step of preaching the Gospel to myself…

Even if I do, I remember and try not to forget again.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Journal Gal 2 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: But when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

For before certain men came from James, (Peter) was eating with the Gentiles (c. Acts 10 and 11); but when they (the certain men from James) came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the Gospel, I said to [Peter] before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; YET WE KNOW that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. [So] we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” Gal 2:11-16

Observation: An example of not continually reviewing and preaching the Gospel (in all its facets) to the FACE in the MIRROR. Even a leading Apostle (Peter) can fall victim to wavering in the face of influential men when a disciple doesn’t faithfully pursue the Word of God.

Analysis: Presumably, there was a sort of “apostolic council” or “leading council” of the Way in Jerusalem, inferred by the way that Paul presented his Gospel (c. Gal 1) to a group of leaders for approval and by the way factions have already bubbled up (a “circumcision party” and/or a group heavily influenced by James (the brother of Jesus)).

The politics of the Church starts early.

In Gal 2, the unchangeable FACT of Faith in Christ Jesus for redemption (not works) is listed plainly. (I write FACT instead of “Truth” because of my generation’s tendency to play fast and loose with the definition of “truth”—“my truth, your truth, who’s to know what is right?”)

Works are a result of Faith, but not the way to Faith and resulting redemption. Redemption and Salvation are all of God’s Sovereignty towards Man—man cannot earn his way to favor and salvation.

Ok, review is done so I can pound those FACTS of the Gospel into my puny brain this morning.

These things being said, perhaps the story has another message: the weakness inherent in all men to look to conform to group think; I think the scriptures may refer to this as “fear of man rather than the Fear of God.”

I read Acts 10 and 11 and see that Pete was instrumental to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles AND to teach/instruct the Jews of the Way that Gentiles were NOT second-class citizens of the Kingdom. But what happened?

Peter lost a little bit of heart. He could have opposed the leadership council. But, like Israel’s tendency, Peter forgot what happened to him. “But…they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel…” (Ps 106:10-13, posting of Monday 08/29/22). Review:

And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said (argued), “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. (Acts 10:13-16)

Peter had a vision while praying. The immediate result was the house of Cornelius, the centurion, being saved. What a moment! Glorious, right? The supernatural intervention of the Holy Spirit—and it was recorded for our instruction!!

So, what happened to Peter? He forgot the Works of God he was a part of, ignored the Ways of God to bring the Gentiles the Gospel, and Peter succumbed (in weakness) to the current politics, the Fear of Man, not God.

Bold Paul had to figuratively slap Peter around in Council so that he would remember the Gospel again.

What can I take from this?

1. Continually review and remember the Gospel in every and all aspects. I cannot think that I can “move on” to another subject because “I know the Gospel—time to learn something else.”
2. First mission: to pursue knowing Him. Every work that I do will ultimately fall to a distant place in the light of “Do I know you? (Matt 7:23)”
3. Pursue the Word of God and godliness. (1 Tim 4:15, “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them…”
4. The harvest is out there. Therefore, arm yourself with the Word of God; not that the Word is a tool against non-believers, but is a tool for us to remember the Gospel and to have unblinded confidence in His mighty hand.

Prayer: Father, help me walk in what I wrote. Make clear what is fuzzy, strengthen my clarity.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Gal 1 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: (Paul speaking) “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was please to reveal his Son to me (in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles), I did not immediately consult with anyone, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia and returned again to Damascus.

Then after 3 years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas (Peter) and remained with him 15 days (but I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother…Then after 14 years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas (taking Titus with me). I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain…” Gal 1:15-2:2)

Observation: Paul recounting his life after Damascus is interesting; especially seeing if there are patterns and principles to imitate and promote to new believers…

Analysis: This section of scripture as it applies to Paul has always interested me.

It hasn’t been until this last decade that I even noticed it: After Damascus, being blinded, meeting Jesus in a vision, Paul getting his sight restored by a believer who, although obedient to the Spirit specifically explaining and telling him what to do probably would have rather kiss a pig, Paul—in an explosion of emotion, went out on a revival tour that rivaled anything Bill Graham ever did. (Review Acts 9)

Scripture says Paul immediately proclaimed Jesus was the Son of God and proceeded to prove it from the Scriptures. What happened next? Persecution: the local disciples spirited him away, but Paul shook them off like a running back and tried to get back in the game…

Nope, he took some time off to figure out what happened—3 years off. Then he went to visit Peter (not a friend at that time) and hung out for a couple of weeks (talked to James as well). Scripture does not explicitly reveal what was said between all of them although it can be speculated that there were apologies, tears and forgiveness all around, sharing meals, stories, thoughts, questions, prayer, worship, maybe a laugh or two—all in private. Paul learned some from the guy who walked with Jesus and the other guy who grew up with Jesus. What did Paul learn? Lost to history but was information necessary by the Grace of Jesus.

Then 14 years later (14 years!!), after much thinking, meditation, study, etc., formulated a gospel—something systematic, based upon scripture. Perhaps Paul tested it against biblical logic, using the knowledge he learned from before and especially Gamaliel (a mentor?), sharpened it, looked for holes…and after much deliberation, presented it before the Apostles over the Church at Jerusalem.

What do I imagine overtook Paul’s thinking over these 17 years? If I read and re-read the Epistles, I think I see the Gospel in two parts: 1) Preach the Gospel to the Lost (which like Kel said on 8/28 includes escaping and being saved from the Justified Wrath of God), but; 2) teaching the Gospel to the Found (which reminds us to remember the Ways and Works of God and to pursue Godliness (not morality).

Prayer: Father, thank you for history. Your people need history. I need to find and remember what you are like and what you have done. Israel often forgot. And with that forgetfulness, wandered. Why? Because they did not put you in the front of their minds always, keeping their mind firmly upon you. (Is 26:3)

Keep me focused, O Lord. Don’t let me wander.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

 

Vs 1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

Vs 5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.

Vs 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Vs 13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me.

Vs 14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

 

Vs 15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,

Vs 16 the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

 

Vs 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
Vs 18 The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

Vs 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Vs 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Vs 25 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

 

Observation

 

This psalm points out a lot of activity.

The activity is going in both directions … from God to man … and from man to God.

 

It’s striking to consider which is the action of God and which is the action of man.

 

Stated as the actions of the LORD:

“answered” … “set free” … “helped me” … “become my salvation” … “does valiantly”

“exalts” … “disciplines severely” … “not given over to death” … “made the day” … “his love endures forever”

 

Stated as the actions of the psalmist:

“give thanks” … “called on the LORD” … “not fear” … “falling” … “live”

“recount the deeds of the LORD” … “rejoice and be glad”

 

Application

 

It’s impossible to absorb the words of this psalmist and not be humbled.

 

In the “flesh” … in other words, within my sinful, innermost personal thoughts …

I want to take on the actions the psalmist grants to God!

 

I want to “do valiantly”. I want to have all the “answers”. I want to be the “helper”.

I want to “exalt” or “discipline”. I want to “make my own day”!

 

Worse yet, I want other people to undertake to actions the psalmist gives to himself.

I want others to “give thanks to me”. …  I want others to “call on me”.

I want others to “recount the deeds of me”! … I want others to “rejoice and be glad because of me”!

 

Oh, how we live in an upside-down world.

But that really displaces blame. In fact, it’s I that am upside down.

 

But to become a person “right side up” …

Where I do what I am to do, and respond to God doing what He is to do …

This takes a complete transformation of who I am.

I can’t do this with mere “behavior” changes.

If I merely change my actions, I can go back to thanking myself … exalting myself.

 

I must understand “this is the LORD’s doing”.

And then I can “marvel at it”!

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, that you are a “Doer”

That you are active and alive

That you do not just sit back and watch

Help me, exalt me …

And then give me a mind to count your doings,

And eyes to marvel,

And words to rejoice,

In Jesus name,

Amen

Journal Ps 115-116 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Ps 115:1

Observation: Who gets the glory? Sunday School answer: God.

However, what do I really practice?

Analysis:  When I read through both Psalms (a few times), my mind always bounced back to this single verse. So, I wonder…

A week ago (8/27/2022) I referenced “Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord—for He comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” (Ps 97:8-9)

How do I daily acknowledge the glory of the Most High? Do I press in to “give His name glory” in all I do? If I wanted to, how would I do it?

Clues that Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica were,

• “Be at peace among yourselves.
• And we urge you…admonish the idle,
• Encourage the fainthearted
• Help the weak
• Be patient with them all.
• (Do not) repay evil for evil, but
• Always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
• Rejoice always,
• Pray without ceasing (this is possible, otherwise the Holy Spirit wouldn’t have encouraged the pursuit), and,
• Give thanks in all (every) circumstances; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thes 5:13b-18

I can always find or make up a list of things to do out of the Scriptures. That isn’t bad because the “lists” inevitably relate to each other in one particular way: Glorifying God for the redemption and transformation of my life. Hooray for the Cross; Hooray for the Gospel!!

Not to me, but to Your Name alone, belongs all the glory, my Lord.

Prayer: Father, I don’t remember to take enough time to glorify you in prayer, in praise, in worship, in driving, in cooking, in vacuuming, cutting the grass, trimming hedges…everything I do.

Make me an instrument of your grace, please.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Ps 104-106 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “So (God) saved (Israel) from the hand of the (Pharoah and Egypt) and redeemed them from the power of the enemy. And the waters covered their adversaries (Pharoah’s soldiers); not one of them was left.

Then (Israel) believed His words; they sang His praise.

But…they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel…” Ps 106:10-13

Observation: If this is what happens to Israel, is this also what happens to Believers today? They quickly forgot what God has done; do I do as well?

Analysis: What have you done for me lately?

Whether I think this or not, the above thought becomes the default in my memory.

I have only to look at the testimony in the New Testament to see it is true: “Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered?” (Matt 16:9-10, see also Mk 8:18-20)

How many times is the word “remember” as a command found in the Bible? About 155 times. And how many times is remember used to something God instructs? Over 75% (all numbers are rough).

So, using the “feeding the 5,000 and the 4,000” as a baseline to extrapolate, I figure every time God provides a miracle, I have a better than a 1 in 4 opportunity to forget that He even did such a thing as a miracle. And what about a doctrine? A promise? An (gasp) instruction?

But I am writing about “forgetting His works”, right? So, I look at creation around me and focus on the decay, rather than the promise? But the decay is representative of the promise of the Gospel. The decay of creation is of Adam’s Sin (Original Sin), and the promise of the New Heaven and New Earth is of the Gospel. Therefore, I can rejoice and be thankful/grateful for what He has promised.

Lam 3:19-23, “Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.

But this I call to mind (remember), and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord NEVER ceases; his mercies NEVER come to an end; they are new EVERY morning.

Great is your faithfulness.

Therefore, a key verb to designate remembrance is meditate:

• I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a DILIGENT search… (Ps 77:6)
• I will ponder all your work and meditate on your mighty deeds. (Ps 77:12)
• I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. (Ps 119:15
• Make me understand the way of your precepts and I will meditate on your wondrous works. (Ps 119:27)
• (and in worship) I will lift up my hands towards your commandments (which I love) and I will meditate on your statutes. (Ps 119:48)

The point is clear: Just like Israel, if I don’t make diligent and considerable effort to remember the Works (and Ways) of God, I will forget and start imagining alternatives (read: idols) to suit myself and my appetites.

Prayer: Lord, to lean on your Word and remember your works: How does a man make his way pure? By guarding it according to your word (Ps 119:9)

Wherever my eyes alight, allow me the ability to regard it with eyes of wisdom and wonder to not forget You.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Ps 100-103 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music. I will ponder the way that is blameless.

Oh, when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.

(Tone changes)

I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me…whoever slanders his neighbor secretly, I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure…he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me…Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land…” (excerpts from Ps 101:1-8)

Observation: There are times when reading from the Old Testament will have somewhat of a mixed message to New Covenant Believers.

Analysis: Right off the bat I confess reading a mystery—how do I reconcile much of what I read in Ps 101 to the Gospel?

I acknowledge perhaps this Psalm is something to “read in to”; to have a heart of resistance to evil and not have active arms raised to oppose evil.

The question then becomes, “When do I obey verbatim, and when do I obey metaphorically?” This question contributes to the practice of “cherry picking” scripture and dulls “taking things out of context” for the harvest of “wall plaque and bumper sticker” promises.

Should I raise my hands to worship Almighty God, sing of His steadfast love and justice?

Should I declare my intention to God in worship to walk within the integrity of my heart?

Should I sing and make music, new music, sing new songs to God for He is worthy?

Yes, I should.

Should I declare that I intend to and will destroy all who do evil, tell lies, deceive the weak, promote idols and sin like there isn’t any tomorrow; Destroy the arrogant of heart and gossipers?

Commit violence on those whom Jesus died for?

The dichotomy is evident from the Ps 101 passage.

The problem is that there will be some who will identify with the taking up of arms against evil and find validation to do so here…and so invalidate what Jesus said in the Gospels and what is found in the New Testament.

I think that the issue can be that believers can get sidetracked and start to believe that superiority over the “heathen” comes with redemption. We forget that, because of Jesus, we are just like them all:

I was condemned under your law; Rightly I stood accused.

        I felt my need, my conscience agreed, I was without excuse.

        So how can I judge the ones who fall?

I know in my heart I’m just like them all,

I will confess my righteousness, Jesus, must rest in you.

Lyrics from “Judge of the Secrets”, Grace has Come (Songs from the Book of Romans), songwriter Dave Fournier.

 

Therefore, to what/whom is the battle against. Scripture indicates that our warfare is not PRIMARILY against the spiritual realm, but to the Face in the Mirror and the warfare within my own heart that wants to rebel every chance it gets:

• “…but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members…” Rom 7:23
• “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this: That your passions are at war within you?” James 4:1
• “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh (which wage war against your soul).” 1 Pet 2:11

Even the Psalmist, while declaring this to God, reminds us to…”Have regard for the covenant (the unilateral promise of God to us), for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.” Ps 74:20

I am reminded that I don’t turn away from evil, for the Gospel is mighty in all respects. I am reminded that I cannot have haughty eyes and a superior attitude to unbelievers. I do not know how Jesus conducted himself with the devil after 40 days in the desert, but I will bet it wasn’t anywhere close to looking like He was pulling rank on the Serpent.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I am writing this prayer, I remember Gethsemane and Peter; all hot and bothered, wanting to defend Your honor and cut off the guy’s ear with the sword. Peter resorted to violence to defend holiness and You rebuked him.

People are doing that today against all sorts of evil things. And those, in your Name. Shades of Matt 7…

Please help me to see things with your eyes and heart, remembering Your Word, not what I imagine your word to be.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Ps 97-99 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord—for He comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” (Ps 97:8-9)

“The King in his might loves justice. You (God) have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

Exalt the Lord our God! Worship at his footstool! Holy is He.” (Ps 98:4-5)

Observation: Equity is a buzzword in today’s American vocabulary. It is also a firm foundational precept in the Scriptures: God sees us all with the same evaluation.

Analysis: This one is easy, but it isn’t thought about deeply much. The following is the formative statement of equity that I am most familiar with:

“All have sinned.”

“All have fallen short of the glory of God.” Ro 3:23

 

This is what Merriam-Webster dictionary says:

 “…freedom from bias or favoritism…”

This describes God to a “T.” Think about it: God is only biased to His own glory.

• “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other…” (Is 42:8)
• “For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another…” (Is 48:11)

God’s glory in equity is one of the basic facts of the Gospel. Does God grade on any sort, any kind of a curve? No. And why is that? So that his Word is true and right altogether: “…the rules of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” (Ps 19:9) A “grade curve” does not exist; therefore, the statement that “all have sinned” stands alone without a qualifier that exists (such as, “they haven’t heard the Gospel”, “they are not old or mature enough to be held responsible of the Gospel”, etc.).

To be sure, this is a biblical fact to embrace. It is not, however, a judgment/condemnation that mere man can direct to another, except by understanding that, when the Scriptures say, “all have sinned,” I am a part of that “all”—it is why I desperately need a Savior every day.

As the Holy God of Israel has established equity across all Mankind and across all ages, race, nation, and tongue, He has also established the Message of the Gospel, demonstrating his Mercy and Grace.

Prayer: Lord God. Interesting today. Why did you light my eyes on this word?

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Luke 24 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: [After the Cross and before the Ascension] Then (Jesus) said to (the Disciples), “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations…” Luke 24:44-47a

Observation: “Thus it is written…”, perhaps a difficult concept to forward and positively reinforce currently: Read, young man…

Analysis: The objective of the Journaling exercise via the Daily Bible Reading Plan is to promote first reading and the discipline of reading (A Spiritual Discipline), secondarily, thinking about what has been read and, thirdly, writing as if writing in a diary: What does this mean to me? What does this mean at all? What is clear? What is a mystery or obscured? (Transparency via the pen is a plus).

The obstacles are selecting either verses or passages to address and laziness in the physical exercise of thinking and writing.

This exercise and any similar exercise are always done in faith of the Spirit’s ability: “Then (Jesus) opened their minds to understand the Scriptures…”

Candidly, I have not experienced any sort of automatic download from on high, nor have I become a sort of biblical savant upon becoming a Christian. It would be cool to go into some sort of trance state and be able to spout doctrine and scripture references without effort, just on the strength and confession of “I claim my mind is open to understand the Scriptures…”

Doesn’t work like that.

Anything good to get is worth the work that it takes. This passage comes to mind from the Psalmist:

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

The rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

 

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them is great reward.” (Ps 19:7-11)

If I were to take Ps 19 (above) as an example, there are strong indications of work required to pursue the Triune God through the Scriptures. After all, the Bible is God’s testimony about himself to us (thank you, Jessie Gill for reminding us of that Sunday 8/14/22) and is how we get to know Him.

Scariest verse in the Scriptures is perhaps Matt 7:22-23 (v 23a only, “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you…’  Not trying to rewrite the Scriptures but I wonder if the translation could have been, “You never knew me…”

God, through the scriptures, says, “Seek my face.” This supports me making effort to 1) know Him, and 2) the power of His resurrection (Phil 3:10):

• “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and SEEK MY FACE and turn from their wicked ways…” 2 Chron 7:14
• “You (God) have said, ‘SEEK MY FACE.” My heart says to you (O God), ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Ps 27:8
• “I (God) will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and SEEK MY FACE, and in their distress earnestly seek me.” Hosea 5:15

Works versus Grace. Always a functional argument here. The Grace found in redemption should always lead somehow to works, but perhaps not skipping over the task of searching Jesus out (seeking his face) through the work of the Scriptures.

Take up writing/journaling through the Reading Plan. A good start is found here.

Prayer: Father, your face do I seek. How disciplined am I in that? Not as much as I would like but pressing in just the same. Help me be a good example in transparency and avoiding putting on a false front, leaning hard into your Grace and Mercy all my days.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

Luke 24:45-48 – Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and and on the third day rise from the dead, and repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to these things.”

Observation –
Jesus appeared to the disciples after the resurrection and they were afraid as they did not understand without receiving the Spirit. Jesus gives the disciples understanding from Scripture that he He is the risen Messiah. On the third day Jesus rose from the grave to overcome sin and death. The command is for the disciples, as witnesses, to teach repentance and forgiveness of sins only in the name of Jesus starting in Jerusalem and throughout all nations.

Application –
As a born again believer in Jesus, I have received the Spirit to guide me with wisdom and discernment. Jesus is alive having overcome sin and death! This is mine and everyone’s greatest need to be reconciled to God only through the blood of Jesus. This is cause to be thankful and joyful for the gospel daily. In response, we now are commissioned to be His witnesses here and among all peoples preaching repentance and forgiveness in the name of Jesus.

Prayer-
Father,
Thank you for sending Jesus to take my place to pay for my sin debt in full so I can repent be reconciled and have a relationship with you. Let the power of the Holy Spirit lead me to be a bold witness to proclaim the name of Jesus to extend your glory.

journal Luke 22 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

And (Jesus) said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But, not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

For whom is the greater: one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table?

But I am among you as the one who serves…” Luke 22:24-27

Observation: Ambition is not a uniquely American characteristic. What is the core characteristic of holy ambition, then?

Servanthood.

Analysis: Also refer to Luke 14:11a, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled…”

While I am surrendering to the Cross, this old American ideal of making the best of myself rears its head. It is especially uncomfortable when doing my “self-evaluation” at work or angling for a promotion.

What is supposed to happen, therefore, in the Church?

Easy, Sunday school answer is to serve, to be a servant.

But what does service look like? Servanthood can look like a great many things functionally (tearing down after Sunday service; Children’s ministry; Hosting bible study/prayer meetings; muscle equity, etc.) but other stuff can get in the way like, laziness (which I am much aware of), attitude of entitlement (been there, done that, let someone else do it now), and general Christian malaise (what for, why should I, etc. This is a church on the bigger side, they don’t need me in the way…). Note that these things I thought of, I think of.

All these items are…issues of the attitude of the heart…and the core issue is…not embracing the Gospel, not embracing the Cross. The heart is the issue.

What is my ambition? I want to be like Jesus. How do I do that?

1. One answer is to dive into the Christian Disciplines. Find a copy of “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Don Whitney.
2. Another is to join a small group and participate, leave shields and other protection at home; start becoming transparent (it is a process, don’t beat yourself up).
3. Make a friend of another Christian in the local church, not an accountability partner but a friend:

• A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Prov 17:17
• A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.(Prov 18:25)

4. 2 Cor 13:5, Examine yourself and determine “Do I have a heart of a servant?” If there is an answer “no” to the question that is returned by the mirror, start by serving at home to your spouse, your children, without being asked and without trying to get noticed. By the way, it has been my experience that if the answer to the question of being a servant is “Yes, I do have that heart”, there may be some heart deception occurring. Remember, no one has “arrived” in the Christian Life this side of Heaven.
5. Heb 3:12-13 Practice encouragement. Recognize grace in somebody’s life and tell them so that they do not succumb to sinful attitudes: “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort (encourage in the NASB), as long as it is called “today”, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

I want a changed heart. I want to be like Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I am weak, and I want to be strong. I want to find a place and not be wayward.

Help me, O Lord.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Journal Luke 21 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: And (Jesus) said, “See that you are NOT led astray.

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.

Then (Jesus) said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famine and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

But before all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to witness.

Settle it therefore in your mind not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict…” Luke 21:8-15

Observation: Key phrase #1: See to it you are NOT led astray. Key phrase #2: Settle it therefore…(not to play act the scene) beforehand.

Confession: I have failed both plainly spoken directives…

Analysis: What do new Christians inevitably get caught up in? End time stuff.

I remember in my youth (early ‘70’s), setting my jaw (figuratively speaking) that I would “take a bullet for Jesus. Stand me up on the wall, I will not recant my Confession.” Seriously, I thought that…and so did many of my peers.

I remember practicing the preach of Peter in Acts 2:14-41 (right after the Holy Spirit descending and speaking in tongues in public, “Be saved from this crooked generation…” (read also Acts 3-5, stupendous stuff!!)), preparing my own Acts 2 presentation to big shots.

In retrospect, kind of immature and definitely not wisdom in action. I was certainly thinking more of myself than I should: “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think—but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (Ro 12:3) [In my case, evaluating myself (looking in the mirror, 2 Cor 13:5), my “faith” was probably presumption…]

Clearly, Jesus wants me to be aware of the approaching end, by keeping my head on a swivel and not having tunnel vision about the End Times. There are so many other things to learn and do. And the Triune God has an objective for individual man (each Christian): “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Ro 8:29a)

And don’t let a single scene imagined be the focus of all the practice mentally; but let good conduct, by applying what is learned in the Faith, lead. Paul writes to Timothy (1 Tim 4:6-15; summarized and cherry picked):

• …being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.
• …train yourself for godliness…godliness is of value in every way as it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.
• …set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity…
• …devote yourself to the public reading of scripture…
• Practice these things; IMMERSE yourself in them…

Admittedly, if someone is heads over their backsides in the enthusiasm of the End Times, this posting will not be convincing at all. My OPINION? The End Times study (of which Jesus only wants us to pay attention to so we know the seasons) is where people can feel special that they can find the “secret key” to when Jesus returns—which Jesus himself doesn’t know the day or the hour. (“But concerning THAT DAY and HOUR no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son…but the Father only…” Matt 24:36)

Therefore, if I want to do right by my Lord and my confession of Faith, then I apply myself to those things the Scripture indicate to make application to.

Training for godliness, anyone?

Prayer: Ah, Lord, beautiful Savior. You see my struggles lately, because only you know my soul, my heart. Even that which I have trouble articulating, you understand perfectly. I suppose that is what “prayer language” is for, right?

Help me to brush away all those things that hamper me, entangle me, and to hitch up my britches (again) to fully pursue You.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Luke 20 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple AND preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority?”

(Jesus) answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?”

And (the priests, scribes, and elders) discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘from heaven’, (Jesus) will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But, if we say, ‘From man’, all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

So, they answered that they did not know where it came from.

And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Luke 20:1-8 (see also Matt 21:23-27 and Mk 11:27-33 for comparison)

Observation: Dancing around answers should be very familiar. Happened 2,000 years ago just like it does today.

Analysis: I wonder why Jesus didn’t answer the question straight away? I admit that the squirming he put the priests, et.al., through was pertinent and needed, especially for all the disciples to ponder.

“Are my instructions/commands, etc. from God? If so, why aren’t they being done?” This is one principle that can be extracted from these verses for direct application.

However, the blunt implication of “if this is from God, why aren’t you doing it?” can be inordinately stressful instead of visionary; it becomes reacting from a legal POV and not from Grace.

These legal beagles were trying to trap Jesus into saying something they could use against Him. Jesus turned their tactic back on them. Notice He wasn’t trying to “convince” them of repentance; he was illuminating their maneuvering and scheming.

Jesus is pretty clever that way.

The text says that Jesus was teaching in the temple and preaching the Gospel. What was He teaching? What part of the Gospel (since the Cross hadn’t happened yet, since Jesus hasn’t been resurrected yet, since the Ascension and subsequent raining down of the Holy Spirit hasn’t happened yet—how did He preach the Gospel?

This is what pursuit entails. If I had to preach the Gospel, using just the Old Testament and not using anything from the Cross forward, could I do it?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, your inclusion of this story in the Scriptures seems to be for self-reflection AND for me to understand what this fallen world is about, especially about those who are “religious.”

Praying for discernment, Spirit.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes