Category: Good Life Journal

Journal Matt 11 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “As they (the disciples of John) went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  What then did you go out to see?  A man dressed in soft clothing?  Behold, those who were soft clothing are in king’s houses.

 

What then did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you…”  Matt 11:7-10

 

Observation: Going to see the latest preacher is more than another form of entertainment.

 

Analysis: Ok, I admit it.  There are those preacher types that I put on my bucket list and are just for the purpose of saying “Yep, I saw that guy—he preached like a son of a gun…rocked the building with the Holy Ghost!”

Pure spectator sport.  Pure entertainment.  My attitude needs adjusting.

Jesus is addressing expectations of the crowd.  “Listen up, folks, what did you go to see: some weird guy making a commotion?  A cultured and well-dressed fellow?  A (gasp) for-real prophet?”

I think the point that Jesus is making is “What is my attitude?  What is my motivation to see anybody?”

At the beginning of Chapter 11, this is the statement: “When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.”  Key phrase here?  Instructing his disciples.

When I go on Sunday to hear Kel preach, why am I going?  There are three things that I am considering:

1)      Heb 10:25 “Not neglecting to meet, as in the habit of some…

2)      Worship and Fellowship,

3)      I want to hear the word of the Lord

Unfortunately, it is adherence to Heb 10:25 that drives most of my motivation for Sunday… Reality?  I am not actively managing my expectations throughout the week, daily.  About instructions, like in Ps 119, I am not delighting in his commands—emphasis on delighting (c. Ps 119:35; also cp. Ps 1:2, Ps 112:1 and Ro 7:25)

I remember being taught that daily emotion has a strong influence on my expectations about following Christ.  Therefore, these emotions are a focus of control needed by the renewed mind in accordance with the Scriptures: Ro 12:2 “…but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God…”

Rambling…but rambling with hopeful purpose.  I hope I remember what I just wrote frequently.

Prayer: Lord, you see the status of my heart, that it is low.  What is to be done?  Change my heart, O God; renew a steadfast spirit within me…

Cause revival.  AMEN

 

Scripture – 

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

Observation – 

This is Jesus speaking to the disciples and preparing them for persecution they ae going to face in the world.  The disciples are sent out as sheep that follow the Good Shepard, Jesus.  Jesus’ sheep are going to be amongst the wolves, false leaders of the world who won’t lead but devour sheep.  Followers of Christ need to have wisdom as they walk amid evil while not being deceivers themselves.

Application –

This message that Jesus spoke to the original apostles is applicable to us as disciples of Jesus in our world and specifically the culture we are facing in America today.  As followers of Christ, we must be focused on Him and do just that.  Now, more than ever, I have to seek Christ in word, in prayer, in teaching for wisdom and discernment.  I need wisdom to discern what is being presented as good but to God is evil.  I must not be deceitful in order to gain but be a reflection of Christ and pray for those who want to persecute us.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy in Jesus.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit give me strength, courage, wisdom for a world that needs your hope in the face of opposition to your love and truth.

Journal Matt 9 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment and a worse tear is made.

 

Neither is new wine put into old wineskins: if it is, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed.  But new wine is put into fresh wineskins and both are preserved.”  Matt 9:16-17

 

Observation:  New wine into old or new wineskins: a metaphor for the move of the Spirit of God?

 

Analysis:  This caught my eye today, only because when I was a young man in Christ, this metaphor was among the popular buzz phrases of the day.

Now, later in my years, it still rings in me—a bit muted perhaps, but the ring is still there.

I would like to think that the “ring” is now not a clamor of many bells, but of a desire to see a symphony now where perhaps chaotic and undisciplined musicians were back then.

The main idea of the metaphor was that new enthusiasm in Jesus couldn’t fit in old institutions.  Therefore, new “institutions” were needed.  A corollary was that old institutions would stifle fresh enthusiasm by trying to “fit” them into traditional modes of expressions (thought of as mostly dull and without enthusiasm).

50 years later and there are worship bands, lifting of hands/expression worship, casual clothing, small groups, etc.—much of this a result of the Jesus Movements of the 60 and 70’s.  New wine—and nobody lifts an eyebrow about it.

Do I still have “new wine” feelings and convictions, coursing through my veins?  Or is the wine in me old and stale, satisfied just to be a part of the wine rack, collecting dust and cobwebs?

I remember this story: “As (Jesus) was drawing near (to Jerusalem), the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they have seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”  And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”  (Jesus) answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:37-40)

Where is my heart today?  Am I overflowing with streams of everlasting water?  Do I have fervor for the King of all creation?  Am I being the example of a disciple that I want to be?

Prayer:  Father, where is the intense fellow I was way back when?  Does my intensity stop at this Journal?  I must ask myself—I cannot stop asking because I felt like I “made it.”  Where is my “situational awareness” in the Spirit?  Where is it?  I want it back; I want it kindled in my heart again.

Cause revival, O Lord.  AMEN

Journal Matt 8 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.

 

And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”  And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

 

Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”  And Jesus said to him, “Follow me and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”  Matt 8:18-22

 

Observation:  Every so often I come across a section of scripture that makes me scratch my noggin and makes me think.  Even when I think, I wonder if I got it right…

 

Analysis: Out of these three sections, the only one that is sort of straight forward is the first one.

What about the other two?

This is the problem in reading scripture at times.  When I want straight statements, nothing convoluted, the Holy Spirit tosses a curveball.  I wonder if He does that to make me think and think hard.

In cases like the above, I have come to a personal conclusion that time is the great unraveler; that is, I need other principles and doctrine in my background so that the Holy Spirit will bring understanding.  How long does that take?  Who knows, I don’t have an answer.  That may be the basis of studying to show myself approved, appropriately handling the word of Truth.

Today, I wonder if this may be appropriate: The scribe making a stupendous announcement of what looks like self-sacrifice, saying to Jesus: “Look at me, look at what I am giving up.”  Could this be a statement of pride and self-aggrandizement?  My heart is pricked…I have done that before.

And another: Do I think that Jesus’ heart is that unfeeling about his follower looking to set the family’s affairs straight?  Burying his father?  I don’t.  Therefore, could there be another message about priorities being said here?  I could be wrong…

Am I sticking in my own sense of propriety here?

Personal convictions can be the hiccup in analyzing Scripture.  While I have been set free from sin and it doesn’t have dominion over me doesn’t mean that the residual effects of sin in me doesn’t still have influence.  If it didn’t, there wouldn’t be a directive to renew my mind (Ro 12:2) My mind can still be under the influence of stinking thinking, even while redeemed.

I know that I provided no answers to the above.  But that is not the point of journaling.  The point is to candidly jot down thoughts and wonderings and sometimes frustrations in the Scriptures and personal life.  These bother me because there is not a straightforward frame of reference.

Sometimes it is just like that.  Causes me to be dependent on the Holy Spirit for illumination.

Prayer:  Father, you are a good Dad in stuff like this.  You make me think.  You make me wonder.  You make me pray.

Please keep loving me like you do, drawing me closer, providing me opportunities to mature in You.

Cause revival.  AMEN

Journal Matt 7 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

 

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

 

Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, when there is the log in your own eye.

 

You hypocrite!!  First take the log out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”  Matt 7:1-5

 

Observation:   Mirror, mirror, on the wall—who needs my evaluation/judgement the most?  Why, me, of course.

 

Analysis: “Judge” The Greek word is krino and is a verb.  This word can be translated as: Judge, decide, evaluate, hold a view, make a legal decision, or condemn.

With these in my back pocket, I could correctly translate the verse as, “Evaluate not, that you be not evaluated.”  That doesn’t make sense.  Discern and evaluate are close cousins and I am supposed to discern stuff.

But what if I slide in “condemn?”  “Condemn not…”  Now that makes sense of the passage.  Or, “Do not make a legal decision, that a legal decision may not be made about you…”

This goes right back to the Gospel: A legal and Just decision has been made about me—I am condemned because of my sin and justly deserve God’s Wrath.  However, Atonement has been made for me and absolves me from the penalty of my sin if I engage that in faith—the Blood of Jesus.  So much more here to talk about…

It is in that realization of my Sentence before God, both condemned and redeemed, that I am to conduct myself with others.  If it took that much Grace and Mercy (Jesus’ blood) to show me forgiveness and absolution, then it is certainly worth the effort to show the little I have towards other people.

Christianity is not a religion of moral duty, appearance, and adherence; it is living a surrendered and humble life before the Creator, fully and constantly understanding and acknowledging that it took the radical measure of the Son dying to allow me to approach the Father.

It is why I use the 1^st person in writing this stuff—I use it as my mirror and reminder.  If a reader finds use in it, wonderful, and I am grateful to serve.

Note: I know that there are sports in heaven.  The premier contest?  The crown toss…

Prayer:  Father, everywhere I look I see the Gospel.  That glorious Jewel, complete in all its Facets.  How could I even think about bringing into disrepute You by jumping into condemnation of another when I thoroughly deserve it first.  Make me see the log, O God.

Cause revival.  AMEN

Journal Matt 5 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: (Jesus is talking) “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not swear falsely but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.

 

BUT I SAY TO YOU, do not take an oath at all, either by heaven (for it is the throne of God), or by the earth (for it is His footstool), or by Jerusalem (for it is the city of the great King).

 

And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.  Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’—anything more than that comes from evil.”  Matt 5:33-37

 

Observation: Yes or no; nothing as a prefix, nothing as a suffix.  If I think of it, it is astounding how many times I use an oath without even noticing…

 

Analysis: Matthew 5 is loaded with stuff.  This “oath” section is only a small part.  I think I even perceived that the bottom half of this Chapter is the explanation of the top half.  I will have to unpack that more…

Thinking about oaths, it dropped readily in my mind how many times I use a phrase like: “Lord, no…”, or “My goodness, yes…”  These are soft examples of the category of oaths.  I can recall worse examples of oaths I can hear and be around daily.

Unfortunately, while I may not use those “worse” examples, they bounce between my ears with very little effort or resistance.

I use oaths as an emphasis; I mean something serious when I use an oath of any kind.  It draws attention to the outward appearance of my intentions.  When I agree with something, I might use, “Heavens, yes!!”  When I disagree: “Heavens, no!!” or a word akin to those.

These prefix statements fall right into what Jesus said: Don’t use heaven, earth, Jerusalem, your parents grave, your children, your eye, your hair, anything.  They are not mine to swear by—I don’t own them; none of them.

Here is where it is evil: the assumption that swearing by anything changes any intensity of any of your statements—by stretching the point, I am assuming a sovereignty, an authority that I don’t have AND will never have.

Oath-taking like I described above is a habit of the tongue.  In me, it is lazy speech, letting loose of sinful thinking and not “renewing my mind” —yep: this is Romans 12:2 in practical application.

Overcoming these tendencies starts somewhere—a good reading of James is a great start.

Prayer:  Father, help me to control my tongue and renew my mind.  I want my speech to be Yes and/or No in You.  AMEN

Scripture

Vs 3 … when you give to the needy, (let) your giving be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 

Vs 6 … when you pray, …  pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 

VS 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do …

Vs 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

 

Vs 9 Pray then like this: Vs 10 “Our Father… Vs 11 Give us … VS 12 And forgive us … Vs 13 And lead us …”

 

Vs 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face … And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

 

VS 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

 

Observation

Jesus, in His famous Sermon on the Mount, is teaching people how to act out their “spiritual disciplines” of giving and praying and fasting.

The emphasis from Jesus, however, is not to DO them … but HOW to do them.

Jesus says to do them secretly … where the Father will see them, but not other people.

 

Interestingly, Jesus does not leave out the concept of “incentives” in doing this.

With each activity, Jesus says the Father will “reward” me.

 

What might that reward be? …

Maybe I should not worry about that … Just trust the Father.

Jesus says the Father knows what I need before I even ask.

 

In fact, Jesus says not to worry at all … about anything.

 

Application

Jesus seems to ask an impossible task of me. “Do Not Worry”

But how can I not worry? … There are so many unknowns in the world.

 

Well, Jesus understands this, too. … “Each day has trouble”.

Perhaps, that’s the point … I can’t know everything.

There will be uncertainty.

 

I wasn’t intended to know everything. (The forbidden fruit was from the tree of knowledge, after all.)

 

And where I can’t have knowledge, I must have faith.

Faith in a Good Father … who sees all … even what’s in secret.

 

So, while I can’t have certainty … I can have clarity!

A rock-solid faith in a Father that sees all, knows all, and understands all.

 

And with this comes my reward … an absolute peace that my Father will provide what I need.

 

And with this peace, I can go about my daily practices the right way as Jesus described …

Giving … and praying … and fasting … for an audience of One … My Heavenly Father.

I can DO all these things to be seen by the Father, not by others.

And I can pray for others, not just me … my worries … my problems … me me me.

 

In other words, the public activity (giving, prayer, and fasting) is for an audience of One.

(My Father)

And the private activity (secret prayer) is for an audience of everyone.

(Our Father … give us … forgive us … lead us …)

 

As usual, Jesus flips upside down the usual motivations for everything.

 

Prayer

Thanks you God for your word

Help me know that you know all

And trust you in the troublesome days

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture:

 

[1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

 

[10] Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

 

Observation:

 

He was not tempted by the Spirit but He was actually led by the Spirit to a desolate location in order to be tempted by Satan – not by his minions but by the devil himself.

 

He was led to a place where he would be broken down and certainly tempted. Being fully human, this was a necessary part of Jesus’ ministry.

 

Of course Jesus, being perfect in humanity and divinity, could not sin. He summoned the power within Him to remove Satan and his temptations.

 

Application:

 

Jesus was not tempted by the Spirit, He was tempted by Satan. With a purpose, the Spirit simply led Him to a place where He would be tempted. There, Satan tested Jesus but He stayed strong.

 

Neither does God tempt us, but he will certainly allow us to be tempted. We can be tempted in may ways, whether by Satan himself or by his minions. Satan’s minions can put thoughts in our heads from the shows we watch, the books we read, the people we talk with, or seemingly out of the blue. We are in a constant spiritual battle and need to always be prepared with the armor of God. We need to use the power of the Spirit within us to remove Satan or his minions from our path.

 

The result of our temptations should be for our growth, for fuller understanding of the Lord and for total reliance on Him and Him alone.  When our eyes are no longer fixed on Him; when we drift from that reliance on Him; when our humility is lost and we think we can do it own our own, it shouldn’t surprise us that the Spirit will lead us to a place of temptation. What we do when we are tempted – how we react and who we turn to, defines us.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord, I pray for your wisdom and discernment. Help me keep my eyes on you and realize when I’m straying from your will. Help me put on the full armor you provide me in order to fight the spiritual battles I will constantly be confronted with. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, amen.

 

Journal Matt 4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil…the tempter came and said to him “if you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.  But (Jesus) answered, “It is written…

 

Then the devil…said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down (from the pinnacle of the Holy City), for it is written…” Jesus said to (the devil), “Again, it is written…”

 

…the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed (Jesus) all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And (the devil) said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”  Then Jesus said to him, “Begone, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.”  Excerpts from Matt 4:1-10

 

Observation:  Why is this report (not story) important?  What application to the Gospel does it have?  What is it saying to me?

 

Analysis:  What is the tempter trying to tempt Jesus with?

This story gives me three things I can identify:

• Self-sufficiency.  “Jesus, you know you can take care of yourself….”
• Self-protection.  “Jesus, you know you can protect yourself…”
• Self-exaltation.  “Jesus, just think: You can be BOSS…”

One word is consistent: SELF.

The serpent did the same to Adam and Eve: “Just think, you can be just like God.” (c. Gen 3:5)

Why did the devil do that?  I think it stems from way back: “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn!  How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!  You said in your heart: I will ascend to heaven (above the stars of God); I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of the assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds—I will make myself like the Most High.” (Is 14:12-14)

And since then, this is the rebellion and original sin that Satan is perpetrating in all of creation: fostering rebellion against the Creator of the Universe by thinking either: Man can be like God, or; God isn’t much better than Man.  “A loving God wouldn’t make me “serve” Him; he would treat me like an equal…’ or some rot like that.

That is the lie of the devil.  That is the evil of the devil.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Jesus saw through that.

I am called to see through that.

Every sin that can be identified can be traced back to: “I can make my own decisions; I don’t need You!!”  Rank rebellion, traitorous creation.

It is why I have been regenerated, born again, have a rebooted hard drive of heart.  I have been set free.  I am no longer chained to sin.  I have been given the ability to renew my mind…

In order to find my rightful place in creation…as a servant of the Most High God, Jesus Christ.

Prayer:  Father, thank you for answering my question about what sin really is.  It makes the Gospel clearer.

Bring revival.  AMEN.

Scripture

Matthew 3:11 – 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.

Observation –  

John the Baptist is preaching about baptism and repentance to many at the Jordan River. Repentance is not inherited but requires turning from our sin in heart change.  John is doing this to prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus.  Jesus, the Messiah, who is sinless is greater than John and will baptize believers with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Application –

John the Baptist’s preaching gives us a model of repentance that leads to heart change.  His role was to point people to Jesus.  He clearly differentiated his ministry from that of the perfect Son of Man, Jesus.  My role needs to be that of a humble servant, confessing and truly repentant of my sin, leading others to Christ.  I don’t deserve the grace God has given me through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  Jesus died for my sins and when I placed my faith and trust in Jesus I was forgiven and have the power of the Holy Spirt living within me.

 

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word and the encouragement of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit humbly guide me in my thoughts, actions to know you and make you known.

Journal Matt 2 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “And (the three wise men), being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way…

 

Now, when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said…

 

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt…”

 

But when (Joseph) heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and, being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee…”

excerpts from Matt 2:12-23

 

Observation:  God moves in mysterious ways…. like dreams… instruments of grace…

 

Analysis:  I am looking at this chapter and the charismatic is coming out in me.

Mary gets an angel visiting her.  Joe gets a dream.  Even John’s dad, Zechariah, gets an angel (c. Luke 1:11) appearing in front of him.

What would I rather have?  An angel?  Some would say that would be cool.  Or a dream?

I wonder why the Holy Spirit uses dreams.  It seems so much simpler and straightforward just to have direct, person to person, spoken communication: “Do [this], or [that].”

Of course, there would be a downside to the above: it would eliminate faith in the Scriptures as the predominate authority—the supremacy of the Word.

How many times have I prayed, “Lord, speak to me like you did with Zach and Joe?  I can’t, will not go further until I get a visitation.”  ZERO is the number of times I should have prayed that; candidly I confess there have been a few.  And during those few times, I got the impression of a figure with his arms crossed, saying: “Ok, try again, bozo.  I am not your genie.”

There is another downside: the enemy can use dreams as well.  Objective?  To lead people astray.  (cp. Jude 8: “Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme…”, also Col 2:18 “Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions….” )

So, what are the function of dreams?  It is a way that God uses to communicate with His people.  That is clear from the Scriptures.  Is it a common communication?  No.  I think that it is used when other modes of authoritative communication is not possible (although there is a function of interpretation of dreams in the Gift listings…)

Should I pay attention to dreams?  I do.  I am aware that I need to pay attention to His whisper.

However, I have His Word for guidance.  The more I am seeking Him through His Word, I have stronger and more thorough guidance.  The unintended consequence is that I am more sensitive to His whisper and guidance—which includes dreams (I think).

The Gifts of the Spirit are a part of the toolbox for Christians.  I think (and I may be in the minority) that these should be actively sought.  After all, God directs us to earnestly do that (1 Cor 14:1)

Prayer:  Interesting night last night, Father.  You gave me a dream.  Did you do that because of this posting?  I am puzzled about what the world might call the psychological effects of the substance of dreams.  Never mind: Your Word is solid and trustworthy.  Your given dreams will not move Your Word.

Help me broaden the function of spiritual gifts in my life.

Cause revival.  AMEN

Journal Matt 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way:

 

• When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph—before they came together, she was found with child from the Holy Spirit.
• And Joseph (being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame) resolved to divorce her quietly.

 

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…

 

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him…”  excerpts from Matt 1:18-24

 

Observation:  I am looking at the phrase, “as (Joseph) considered these things…”  I wonder how long he “considered”?  What was the thinking process he went through?  Did he talk this over with anybody or did Joseph just stare into his belly button for guidance?

 

Analysis:  I am prodded into thinking about the last few posts, specifically Philemon and 2 Tim 3.

Here we have 2 guys, Philemon and Timothy, being nudged into thinking broadly and considering the values they espouse.  Philemon must decide about Onesimus coming back, whom he previously described as “useless.”  Timothy is presented with a puzzling reference (at least to the readers) about being a follower of Paul, specifically the “aim of his life.”

What were Joseph’s questions to himself?  How blunt were his thoughts about Mary?  Were those thoughts of walking righteously or judgmentally?  Merciful?  Is he considering what other folks would think?  The “story” is pretty unlikely: a virgin birth?  “Yeah, right, Joe: Shifting your own blame unto the girl.  Or did the girl step out on you and blackmail you into marriage?”

Grinding over issues are part and parcel in my life.  Some issues are cut and dry: “Of course I shouldn’t do that!!”  Others are not so clear.  Joe was struggling with issues…and it wasn’t only about Mary.  There was a considerable amount where it was about Joseph.  After all, Joseph was a “just man”—he had a reputation to uphold.

As a Christian, I am expected to: 1) Depend on God; 2) Fear Him; 3) Seek Him constantly; 4) Scour the Word for instructions and wisdom (knowing that there is a difference), and; 5) Don’t lean on my own understanding.  There are instruments of Grace surrounding me that I need to take consideration of, including signs and wonders (like dreams).  Not exclusively but they are there as a gift of grace.

One of the most impactful gifts of Grace?  Cultivating an ear to hear the Whisper of the Spirit.

Prayer:  Lord, You know this hits close to home with me.  I will carry that decision with me the rest of my days.  You have given mercy to me and there is a certain peace that I have—but it is not a full peace.

I deposit myself at the foot of the Cross, O Lord.  Everyday I look for your Grace in my life.

Cause revival, O Lord.  AMEN

Journal Ps 131-132 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.

 

But I have calmed and quieted my soul.

 

Like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child my soul within me.

 

O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.” Ps 131

 

Observation:  Is agitation anywhere close to godliness?

Analysis: “Be still, and KNOW I am God…” (Ps 46:10) flits through the empty space between my ears.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” (Ps 37:7)

I am forced to note two things, repeat forced (if I am honest with the scriptures): To calm my soul is a directive from God, and; I don’t see an immediate cause and effect relationship in these references.  There is not an “if you calm yourself, you will immediately see my hand in opposing evildoers.”  Not there.  Yeah, eventually the unjust will get theirs—sometimes right now, but yeah, eventually for God is Just.

The point is in Ps 131 (and 46 and 37) is that God is faithful and will do appropriately.  Me?  I am reminded that the faithful wait upon the Lord calmly, quietly, my heart in peace and not in turmoil.

Why?  Because the faithful trust God.

At Sinai, Israel got lathered up because Moses was taking too long to return.  Faithless men decided to take measures in their own hand and constructed a golden calf to worship (just in case Moses didn’t come back).  They were persuasive enough to get Aaron to make the thing.

What was a precipitating agent in this?  What was a cause?  Yeah, they didn’t have faith, but how do I know this specifically?  Drilling down, what was it?  It was that they let themselves get agitated and anxious.

Agitated and anxious about the length of God’s hand: “Is His hand too short that it cannot save?”  A sarcastic response to a real thought that invades my heart often enough.  I recognize this stuff because I walk in it often.  Note not “walked” as if I don’t do it anymore, but “walk” because I do—at least from time to time.

Not trusting in the Lord is not an “overt” thing with Christians; it is insidious, it worms its way into my thinking with little things of concern.  Those “things” can be in the category of stuff that is “too great and marvelous”, or beyond my ability to specifically address.  “Dire” stuff is in this category.

The only “macro” issues that Jesus has his disciples paying attention to are the signs of His return.  And even those are basically “take notes.”

The Holy Spirit calls disciples to pay attention to the little things, the “micro”; i.e., walking in holiness; walking worthy of the Gospel.

The proverb is true: “Pay attention to the pennies; the dollars will take care of themselves.”

Prayer:  O Lord: Do you know how hard this is?  Of course, you do!  If I thought about this hard enough, your 36 months of public ministry was declaring the little things for people to do while simultaneously declaring the Kingdom.  “This is God’s stuff to deal with; this is what I am to do in response”:

Cultivate a quiet soul.

Cause revival, O Lord.  AMEN.

Scripture

 

Vs 2 O Lord hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive
vs 4 … with you there is forgiveness,

Vs 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
vs 6 my soul waits for the Lord

Vs 7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
    and with him is plentiful redemption.

Vs 8 And he will redeem Israel

 

Observation

 

The psalmist is in a lonely place … a place of waiting.
But the psalmist wants attention from One in particular … the LORD

“Let your ears be attentive”

 

The psalmist knows that what he is waiting for and wanting, only the LORD can give

“with You is forgiveness”

“with the LORD there is steadfast love”

“with Him is plentiful redemption”

 

And while the psalmist is lonely and waiting … he is also hopeful.

He knows the promise of the LORD

“He will redeem Israel”

 

Application

 

I read these words of the psalmist and am filled with gratitude for the time God has graced me to live in!

 

I am blessed to not have to live in a time of “waiting”.

I do not have to say, “He will redeem Israel”.

God has already done it in Jesus … “It is finished!”

 

I do not have faith is an unfulfilled promise.

My faith is in a fact of history … an action already taken by God!

 

So the question becomes, “Do I live like this is true?”

Do I live in the confidence of a completed work of God?

Or do live “waiting”?

 

Any waiting I have is not for the coming of the LORD … but the Second coming of the LORD?

My waiting is not for forgiveness or redemption of my soul as the psalmist’s was.

My waiting now is for the return of the King and His redemption of all creation.

 

But, again, do I live this?

I can lament and be sorrowful for the conditions and circumstances of the world and society around me.

But I must be rejoicing for the conditions and circumstances of my soul … forgiven and redeemed!

As Paul says, he is “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”.

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, again, God, for Your Word

It is a Truth I am graced to live in now

Help me live it faithfully

In Jesus name

Amen

 

Scripture:

[1] If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
[2] if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
[3] then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
[4] then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
[5] then over us would have gone
the raging waters.

Observation:

David is saying that all of Israel should be thankful to God for his grace and recognize that he, and only he, could have gotten them out of their terrible situation as he did.

David writes this probably about God saving them from the Philistines in battle. While the Israelites participated, it was not through their works they were saved. “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side” – David repeats this truth because of how important it is to recognize that only God saved them.

Application:

Just as only God saved the Israelites from being decimated and overrun as David recounts, only Jesus has saved us now. Only through God’s grace do we receive the gift of salvation from this damaged and corrupt world. Without Him, we will be decimated by the corruption around us.

On our own, we aren’t gong to change the fact that millions of babies are killed every year due to abortions. Abortion centers primarily focused on killing babies in minority neighborhoods. On our own, we are not going to settle the unrest and division in this country due to election division or differences in politics, On our own, we are not going to bring the unbelieving Christian persecution of this world to an end.

But here’s the thing.. we can’t change all of this on our own but we also know that not only can God fix these messed up situations, but he can use the terrible mess for the good of us who love him and are called according to his purpose (my paraphrase of Rom 8:28). Now, that’s exciting!

Prayer:

Thank you for pulling me up from the depths caused by my sin and for salvation while I don’t deserve it.  I am helpless and hopeless without you.  Now use me Lord. Help me be more like you and use me to accomplish your plan. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.