Category: Good Life Journal

Journal Ps 107-109 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “My heart is steadfast, O God!  I will sing and make melody with all my being!

 

Awake, O harp and lyre!  I will awake the dawn!  I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.  For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”  Ps 108:1-4

 

Observation: What is being an INTENTIONAL believer like?  It is kind of like this…

Analysis: Imperative(s).  Something that is vital, crucial, essential.  I like this word.  It describes places in scripture where I need to pay attention; places where what the Word of God says, I need to cram in my heart to stay.

The above section contains this imperative: I will.

The imperative “I will” leads me to the action, “I will be intentional.”

The phrase, “I will obey” or “I will be obedient” can have this fatalistic feeling about it, where “I guess I have to do [something] to be in good graces of God.”  It can mean that I am obligated to comply whether I want to or not AND I am graded on it.  Not true, but it can feel like that if I don’t review the Gospel frequently.

Being intentional is more like identifying what to do and jumping into embracing it.

That is what the Psalmist is doing:

• I will sing.
• I will make melody with all my being.
• I will awake the dawn.
• I will give thanks wherever I am among people.

The phrase “I will…” is a declaration of intentionality.  “I intend to sing; I intend to make melody with ALL my being; I intend to awaken the dawn; I intend to give thanks everywhere I am…”

This was a good reminder to me today.  I have misplaced that “intentionality” in my own life during this season of life, CV-19, isolation, and stuff.

Suggestion to any reader: Call someone.  Call someone and review this post.  Talk about how to encourage each other to the good work of being INTENTIONAL to the imperatives of the Scriptures.

Prayer:  Father, why is it so easy to write this but not do it?  It breaks my heart that I can learn this and yet fail.  It is why I need to remember the Gospel, remember my frame and my dependence on You.  It is why I need constant reminders to look to You, my savior, and keep my nose to the grindstone everyday so I don’t forget.  AMEN

Scripture

Vs 1 O Lord my God, you are very great!

Vs. 13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains;

the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

Vs. 14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock

and plants for man to cultivate,

that he may bring forth food from the earth

15 and wine to gladden the heart of man,

oil to make his face shine

and bread to strengthen man’s heart.

Vs. 23 Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.

Vs. 24 O Lord, how manifold are your works!

In wisdom have you made them all;

Vs. 31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

may the Lord rejoice in his works,

Vs. 33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live

 

Observation

 

God is great.

A great God makes good things.

A great God makes good things for the good of man.

A great God makes good things for the good of man and the glory of the Lord!

 

Man, created in the image of his creator, now imitates God by working himself in his labor.

 

This is all so that God may be glorified “forever” and we may praise Him “as long as I live”.

 

Application

 

God causes all of creation, but I must respond to His creation by being a creator now, as well.

 

From the creations of God, the psalmist now says that man “cultivates” and “brings forth” from the earth, God’s creation.

This is, however, a “blessing” of God, not a toil or burden.

 

Our creations from God’s creation can “gladden the heart” of man, “make his face shine”, and “strengthen man’s heart”.

And even “the earth” is “satisfied with the fruit of God’s work”.

 

So, if the earth is “satisfied” with God’s work,

The big question becomes …

Am I?

 

And if the Lord “rejoices in His work”!

The big question become …

Do I?

 

“In wisdom” the Lord creates?

The big question becomes …

Do I?

 

Because of all this, David will “sing to the Lord forever”?

The big question becomes …

Will I?

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for your creation.

Thank you that it is for my good.

You are a good God.

Help me rejoice in your creation as well as my own by your grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

8/26/20 Wednesday

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

Scripture: “Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!  His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

 

The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.  He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.

 

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”  Ps 97:1-3

 

Observation: Once I learned about God’s Sovereignty, I started seeing that evidence everywhere in the Scriptures.  I see it right here…and, what?  So?

Analysis: What does God being a Sovereign God mean?  What does it mean to me?

Hard question….and easy at the same time, I think.

Easy, because putting the qualifier “Sovereign” on God seems like “peanut butter and jelly”, “sausage gravy and biscuits”, “tofu and….” whatever goes with soy curd.  But, even when I can assign that “sovereign” adjective properly, what does it mean to me every day?

The Psalmist is clear in his praise of God’s sovereignty:

• “…he has done…”;
• “His right hand…. His holy arm…”;
• “The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed…”;
• “He has remembered his love and faithfulness…”.

I noticed that in this passage, the only thing that I am responsible for is “seeing the salvation of our God.”

So, taking a cue from Ancient Aliens, I must ask myself, “Do I see God’s salvation in all the ends of the earth?”  Do I see and notice marvelous things?  Salvation working?

Do I know his Salvation?  How?  And where?  And how often?

Do I see his revealed righteousness?  How about his steadfast love?  His faithfulness?

For me, I forget to look.  I take his Faithfulness, his marvelous working, his steadfast love for granted—something I can assume upon without any acknowledgement.

Jeremiah reviewed this issue: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: His steadfast love never ceases…” (Lam 3:21-22a) But, Jeremiah is brought to this with all sorts of sorrow, wormwood, and gall.  God drives arrows into his kidneys to get Jeremiah’s attention (Lam 3:13)

What do I do?  I turn on the TV, call for takeout, or something else.  I am just plain inattentive.

How do I stir up my passions?  How do I cultivate a heart fully after God; fierce in pursuit?

Prayer:  Lord God?  How do I do that?  For sure, it is not on my own, independent initiative—it is only by You, Holy Spirit.  How do I tell the difference, whether Me or Thee?  I don’t, except by faith that You are empowering me to seek you, and perhaps find you, daily.  AMEN

Scripture

Psalm 96:2-3: – Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

 

Observation

The psalmist tells us to worship the Lord in song and give him praise that He is due.  We are to share His saving grace daily.  Verse 3 shows that God is to be glorified among the nations and is a God for all!

Application

I can’t get over the gospel, we are not to tell of his salvation when convenient or it fits but day to day.  I must be in praise and worship for what God has done seeking to honor Him in so doing.  If I am praising and worshipping God, not distracted by current events, it is a lot more likely for me to be an effective gospel witness of the saving grace God offers through faith in Jesus.  There are many questions and needs and we have the only answer in Jesus.  The gospel is for everyone and we are to make known His glory to all.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy you have for us.  Let me praise and worship you telling of your salvation daily to bring you glory!

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

Scripture: (background: Emmaus Road) “And (Jesus) said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?”

 

And they stood still, looking sad.  Then one of them (named Cleopas) answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  And (Jesus) said, “What things?  And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people…But we had hoped he was the one to redeem Israel.

 

Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.  Moreover, some women of our company amazed us.  They were at the tomb early in the morning and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they have even seen a vision of angels (who said he was alive).  Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.

 

And (Jesus) said to them, “O foolish ones, slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!”  (Luke 24:17-25)

 

Observation:  These stories, post-crucifixion, are valuable.  It presents the conversations between man and the Risen Savior and the normal questions that are present.  Maybe these conversations don’t have the “do this/don’t do that” instruction that the later Epistles have, but they are instructive in their own way…

Analysis:  Two guys are walking along the road.  A stranger appears and strikes up a conversation.

Sounds like a bad opening line to a novel.

The two guys stop in their tracks, emotional.  “Are you the only one who doesn’t know what is going on?”, and the guys proceed to empty their souls.

More than just the news (“Just the facts, ma’am”), they also provide commentary: “It was bad what happened, he didn’t deserve it, and more than that, we thought, hoped, he was to physically redeem Israel.”  This was a persistent thought with the Followers, even though Jesus was clear about His purpose.  Query: Does this occur today in any form—misunderstanding of Jesus’ purposes in the world today?

Kudos!!” “Some of the women with us are flat amazing!  Faithfully they went to anoint the body for burial (none of the guys went?  The “not my job” syndrome was alive and well back then.)

The point that means a lot to me was Jesus’ response: “…slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.”  It comes to this for me: Without instruction of the past by the written Word, both historical and the principles (doctrine), I can tend toward unbelief.

That’s not quite factual.  I can tend toward believing something that isn’t what is found in Scriptures, the Principles and Doctrine of the Gospel of God.  Look at the two guys: “We were sure that Jesus was to redeem Israel (physical redemption, overthrow the Romans).”  Boy, were those guys mistaken.  The Trinity had their eyes on Creation, not some silly government.

This is just an example.  It could be any subject.  Point is that I need to pursue learning the Gospel all my days; study the Scriptures; seek God through His Word (His self-revelation).

Prayer: O Holy God, there are times where I must change gears and realize that You are God, immense in Your grandeur and Presence.  You are Father, nothing changes that because You do not want it changed, but You are Creator God as well.  I don’t get that unless I THINK about it.

I find myself today scraping the bottom of the barrel, Lord.  Help me to remember and cherish your goodness this day.  AMEN

Journal Luke 23 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed.  And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  (Luke 23:44-45)

 

(Parallel scripture) “And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:38)

 

Observation: This is the reason why we are called to study: to notice and determine the significance of the subtleties of the Gospel narrative.

Analysis:  Behold the curtain!!

Huh?  What about the curtain?  Well, it is one of the facets of the Gospel that doesn’t get talked about much but means that the Separation of God from Man has now been breached.

There are many facets to the Gospel.  All of them are interrelated.  One of the most powerful descriptions of the Gospel is found in the arrangement of the Meeting Place of God instituted in the days of Moses by God’s instruction.

The “curtain” refers to that barrier that kept common man from the Holy of Holies; only priests (a single priest every time), thoroughly consecrated by an elaborate and rigid process, could enter.

There, offerings were made to offer atonement (a significant word!!) for the people of Israel.  One guy.  Once per year.  All by himself.

This is the significance of the Curtain torn: By the Sacrificed Lamb of God (Jesus), the Eternal High Priest (Jesus) has now become the Eternal Atonement for Creation (Jesus).  With this, the Barrier (the Curtain) to the Mercy Seat (the Presence of God) has now been eliminated, demonstrated by the Holy Spirit tearing the Curtain in two.  And not only in two, but from top to bottom as if a Man grabbed it and tore it, ripped it apart.

Never again will Man be prohibited or barred from approaching the Most High God.  Never again will Man need an earthly Mediator (like a priest) for now there is an Eternal Mediator, an Eternal Priest: The Son of God, Jesus the Christ.

Check out Hebrews: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our HOPE without wavering, for He who promised is faithful…” (Heb 10:19-23)

For a more complete rendering of this part of the Gospel, please see Hebrews 7-10.  Also, a recommended book is “The Atonement” by Leon Morris.

Confession: I can get all into the pragmatism of the Christian faith: What to do, how to do it, and all that, and I can FORGET looking into and learning about what makes the FAITH possible.

Prayer:  Lord God, thank you for the fact of the Curtain rendered in two.  The mental picture of that buoys my day, makes me starry eyed of the Atonement, your Sacrifice, your power, your Mercy and Grace shown to someone like myself who does not deserve it.  AMEN

Journal Luke 22:39-71 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “While (Jesus) was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas (one of the Twelve) was leading them.

 

He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

 

And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword??  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus said, “No more of this!”  And he touched his ear and healed him.

 

Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the Temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as to a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me.  But…. this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”” Luke 22:47-53

 

Observation:  The time of prayer on Gethsemane is over.  The Cross is in front of Jesus.  Before that, betrayal, violence, accusations, and more.  Movies cannot do this justice…

Analysis: Jesus is getting up from a bloody, gut-wrenching time of prayer.

He sees the Eleven nodding off and even sleeping.  I cannot tell how Jesus is speaking to them: Angry?  Disappointed (at least this, right?).  Chiding?  Corrective?  Firm rebuke or kindly dismissive because “he knows their frame.”  I don’t know for sure.

But Jesus is up from prayer.  He is speaking.  And, wouldn’t you know it, a crowd forms.  Where did the crowd come from?  Out of the crowd, the ‘disciple’ Judas appears and goes to greet Jesus with a kiss, ultimately a kiss of betrayal.  Perhaps Jesus grabbed Judas by the shoulders, held him off, looked him in the eye and whispered a question, “You are going to betray me with a kiss, Judas?”

The other disciples, seeing the agitation of the crowd dangerously growing to violence, circled Jesus with their hands on their swords, “Jesus, say the word, we’ll defend you by attacking first.”  One of them (probably Peter according to other Gospel stories), struck first and cut off the ear of a temple servant.  Jesus stopped the disciples, picked up the ear of the howling, bleeding man, perhaps spit on it, and calmly put the ear back on and healed the guy.  “Be still, be still, I will take care of you….” And He cleans up his disciples’ mess.

This is the Jesus I serve.  He knows…

He knows where He is going, He has vision, purpose, and objective.  It does not make Him less real of a man.  He prays hard and with agony…so much agony His eyes bleed.  But when His time of prayer is at an end, He is not resigned to His fate, He is unyielding with determined resolve.

Jesus is resolutely facing the Cross, where He will experience the full, mighty, and furious Wrath of God, the Judge…

For me….

Prayer: Father, sometimes only a song will do:

Lord, what moved Your heart to love lowly man
Before any star could herald Your praise?
And why did You come, abasing Yourself,
Veiled in a robe of frail human clay?
Why would You the pure give Your life for the vile,
The innocent seeking the guilty to be reconciled?

I can’t comprehend this fathomless love.
I’m gripped and amazed at what You have done.
Why would the adored become the despised
To bear all the furious wrath that was mine?
How awesome this mystery
Of Your fathomless love for me.

Why would You adopt and take as Your own
Those who had crushed Your one precious Son?
Why mercy and grace towards Your enemies?
Your name they have cursed and Your throne they have shunned.
Oh how could You choose to show kindness to these?
The ones who would mock You and hate You,
The ones just like me?

AMEN.

Luke 22

 

Scripture

 

Vs 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

Vs 3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.  ⁴ He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. ⁵ And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.

 

VS 31 (Jesus said), “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, ³² but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Vs 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”

Vs 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

 

Observation

 

The contrasts are so great in the events leading up to the Lord’s Supper and Christ’s Crucifixion.

Priests and scribes collaborate to kill Jesus.

Jesus and disciples collaborate to eat the Passover meal.

The religious leaders feared the people.

Jesus loved the people.

 

The apostles were arguing about who was greatest.

Jesus was washing their feet. Taking the role of the least.

 

These were visible works we could see happen.

 

But there were also invisible works, supernatural works playing out the whole time that no one could see.

These were actually the more significant actions.

Satan was tormenting.

Jesus was praying.

 

Application

 

It’s very easy for me to sit back and ridicule the religious leaders for fearing the people.

And it’s easy for me to scoff at Judas for accepting money to betray Jesus.

 

Am I so different?

Do I “fear people”? … I probably wouldn’t put it in those terms.

But what if I put in a different way? … What about, “Do I want to be liked by people?”

This can become a slippery slope. Of course I want to be liked by people …

and it causes me to fear their rejection.

This cause me to seek affirmation rather than truth.

This cause me to “go along to get along”.

In other words, my actions, like the priests and scribes, can be dominated by “the fear of the people”.

 

Do I “accept money to betray Jesus”? … Again, I wouldn’t put it in those terms.

But what if I put it, again, a different way? … What about, “Do you prioritize financial security and freedom?”

This again can become a slippery slope. Of course I want financial security and freedom …

and it can cause me to prioritize it over Jesus!

I can even make it sound good … “responsible” … “prudent” … “protecting my family” … or even “being blessed”!

This can cause me to pursue money rather than pursue Jesus.

In other words, my actions, like Judas, can prioritize money over Jesus.

 

So, then what is different?

I must always trust the work of Jesus in my life more than the work of Satan in my life!

 

Satan wants me. Jesus wants me more!

Satan seeks to destroy me. Jesus prays for me.

 

Satan only goes as far as God allows him.

Satan was allowed to enter judas.

Satan was allowed to tempt Peter.

 

Satan will tempt me, but Jesus is in me! And greater in He that is in me than in the world!

But I can’t get overconfident in myself!

Peter said he would die or go to prison for Jesus! … And then couldn’t even say he knew Him!

 

But Jesus prays that Peter’s “faith would not fail”! … And that he would “strengthen his brothers”.

 

This is where my confidence should be!

Not in being liked by people!

Not in financial security!

But in the work and prayers of Jesus for me!

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for your Word again.

Help me know your prayers

Help me live them

Strengthen me to strengthen others, Holy Spirit

In Jesus name

Amen

Luke 21

 

Scripture:

 

[34] “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. [35] For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

 

Observation:

 

“..lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life” – think about this for a minute..

 

For it will come to all – no escaping judgement when Jesus returns.

 

Stay awake at all times – always pay attention to your heart because from it comes thoughts and actions.

 

Pray for strength to overcome our sin nature

 

Application:

 

“..lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life” – Wow, Jesus is saying not just to watch your heart from being a drunkard or doing crazy stupid things, but also from paying too much attention to the cares of this life.

 

He could be coming back any second.

 

Think about that when you are thinking that impure thought that goes through your head.

 

Think about that when you are saying that one sentence you know you shouldn’t say or as you speak without doing a heart check.

 

Think about that when you are going to that one place you know you shouldn’t go to.

 

Think about that when you are seeing that one person you know you shouldn’t see.

 

Work on keeping your heart pure and your head and actions will follow.

 

The Lord knows our heart and our every thought. Even though we know this, we forget and think we will slide by him some impure thought or action. Set that aside for a second and just think about Him coming back and seeing him face to face at any instant. It should help with better self-control over our sin nature.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord I love you and live to glorify you. Help me when my heart is attacked and I have a hard time controlling my sin nature. Remind me in these times that your Spirit is with me and to listen to you instead of myself. In your holy name I pray, amen.

 

Scripture: “The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that (Jesus) had told this parable against them—but they feared the people.

So, they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

So, they asked him: “Teacher, we know you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. (Here’s our question) Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?”

But (Jesus) perceived their craftiness and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Luke 20:19-25

Observation: Psalms 119 has this reference: “Through your precepts (syn. principles) I get understanding…” Psalm 119:104a
That is what Jesus is unveiling for us, a “principle in the Word of God.”
Analysis: “Everyone is a theologian.”
When I started off in being a Christian way back when, I actively fought against the subject of theology. I was of the uninformed and contemptuous opinion that “theology” was at the root of all thing dead in the Church at large. “If we only could get back to the 1st Century attitudes, where dead theology didn’t exist but the simple Living Word was dominate, it would be better….and the Kingdom would come quicker, etc. etc. yack, yack, and yack….”
How little did I know. I proved without a shadow of doubt there is a category of Christian called “stupid and ignorant.” Anybody could see in me that Zealous and Foolish went hand in hand.
Part of growing up mature in Christ is getting past the “wall-hangings” stage of personal growth. Not to be mis-understood, I am not against wall-hanging. They are good reminders of the goodness of God, the supremacy of the Scriptures, principles of righteousness and holiness, and the like. What I am saying is: Wall-hangings cannot be the epitome of my life in Christ.
This is where analyzing and learning of the Precepts/Principles of the Word come into play.
“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” Clear, clean. This is not ambiguous at all. There isn’t any “interpretation” that is applicable that should change the context of this simple statement.
“Render to God the things that are God’s.” Again, clear, clean, not ambiguous.
So, why do I have problems with this very simple set of principle? I remember the story of the self-justifying Lawyer. Jesus, in response to “How do I get eternal life?” gave the lawyer simple instructions straight from the 10 commandments. The Lawyer, wanting to drill down to find a loophole, responded “But…” (Luke 10:25-29)
I am just like the Lawyer in this story, “But, but, but, Jesus, really? There must be a loophole I can escape into…Come on, that’s too much, that is way out there, that is…. radical.” Buts can get into my way of understanding the Scriptures; not only understanding but applying them as well.
My point is: Study to show yourself approved to God, rightly and accurately handling the word of truth. Don’t be ashamed by only halfway efforts. Be a workman.
Prayer: Lord, I appreciate the little I have grown over the past 40 years. Help me grow in depth in You, honoring You, praising You, worshiping You all my days—every day. I feel like I am packing it on one nail at a time and my house isn’t hardly off the ground.
Make me learn, O God. Make me so that I can serve my brothers and sisters well. AMEN.

Scripture –

Luke 19:5-6 – And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

Observation –
Jesus knew who Zacchaeus was, what he did and where he would be. Jesus called Zacchaeus and told him what to do. Zacchaeus heard Jesus, and he acted quickly and joyfully to host him at his house.

Application –

In verse 10, Jesus tells us that the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost. Zacchaeus heard Jesus call to him and he responded with repentance and joy. Others acted judgmentally, heard the call of Jesus and they grumbled as to why Jesus would be with sinners. I need to respond daily to the call of Jesus like Zacchaeus to take action, be repentant and joyful. Out of the love of Jesus, I must be hospitable and help those in need in the name of Christ.

Prayer –

Father, thank you for your love, grace and mercy in sending Jesus to save me. Let me respond like Zacchaeus, with repentance and joy. Guard my heart to love you and love others to glorify you.

Journal Luke 18 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “(Jesus) also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:

 

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector—I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all I get.’

 

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

 

I tell you—this man down to his house justified, rather than the other.  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

 

Observation:  Pretty evident: Attitude is everything.

Analysis: Assuming for a moment that all Scripture is for our instruction (re: Ro 15:4 and 1 Cor 15:11) so that we could live honorable lives unto the Lord, one has to think that this story is NOT for unbelievers but for Believers so that they could recognize and avoid temptation and subsequent sin (James 1:12).

Pretty good, huh?  Scripture always gives me something to think about concerning my attitude.  And I am exhibiting something right here.  But that is the point; the Scriptures are a mirror into my own soul and only describes what is common to man.

Humility is…the actual stance of a believer…. or should be.  I don’t recall seeing any suggestion in the New Testament that being proud to be saved is recommended (I am very interested to see corrections on this).  On the contrary, pride in any form is fiercely cautioned against (see James).

I readily confess that I can fall into the example of the Pharisee above.  Perhaps not so blatantly, but my thoughts can betray me, especially in the form of pity of others.

That “pity” that whom I see isn’t “saved” is in possible correlation to the attitude that the Pharisee exhibited.  Can I have true pity?  Yes, but significant introspection on my attitude is required.

It isn’t NOT doing something that is the answer, it is the DOING.  The example for me all my days is of the taxpayer.  He is humble and demonstrates humility.

I have heard it said, “I know Jesus saves.  The question I have is why did He save me?”  Bingo!!  Well said.  I will not ever be able to fathom the depth of my sin, my inward nature, in the manner of how God sees me.  What He does reveal to me can crush me…and should…but at the minimum should elicit a sorrowful, if only based in Biblical knowledge, response/acknowledgement.

My sin, compared to God’s holiness, is what drove the taxpayer’s example to me.  Not understanding the depth of his sin, compared to God’s holiness, is where the Pharisee’s response came from.

It is something for me to frequently consider when I look in the mirror.

Prayer:  Father, the book “The Enemy Within”, opened my eyes to the depth of the Gospel.  Thank you for that gift of Grace you provided.  It helps me to see Your merciful, redemptive Hand in much of what I see, even as blind as I am.  I am so grateful of Your Mercy in my life.  Thank you.  AMEN.

 

Journal Luke 17 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or “There!’, for behold—the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.

 

And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man and you will not see it.  And they will say to you, ‘Look…there!’ or ‘Look…here!!’

 

Do not go out or follow them.  For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his Day.  But first…. he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.’” Luke 17:20-25

 

Observation:  The Lord’s return; the End of Days…always the same question, always the same answer: “Yes, I am coming back.  Be aware of that fact and don’t pay much mind to it.  I don’t know the time, and neither will you.  We’ll both be surprised!”

Analysis:  Well, kind of, sort of, anyway.  The message of Jesus’ return isn’t that ambiguous—it is just not what we want it to be.

Pursuing Him is a marathon.  Most I have ever run is 5 miles—as a teenager, long, long time ago.  Lungs wheezing like a bellows not even a couple of miles in.  After a while, I couldn’t do anything but focus on the next step, the next curve, the guy in front of me, also singularly focused on the run.

I would finish when I finished, when the coach at the finish line yelled, “Keep it up, finish strong, head up, BREATHE!!” and then in a few more steps, it was “Great, you did great!!, Way to finish strong.”  Kind of sounds like “Well done, good and faithful servant” now that I think about it.

So, I know some facts about a marathon: It has a starting line; it has a finish line.  Races have racers—people who actually compete.  Marathons are not about speed or strength; they are about finishing.

That’s where the Pharisees get off track.  They see the coming of the Kingdom of God as an event to be witnessed passively.  And Jesus corrects them saying, “it is in the midst of you”, something perhaps to engage in now.

Jesus continues to tell the Disciples (not the Pharisees?  Hummm…) that they may fall into the same trap of wanting to perhaps passively see the Son of Man in His Day.  I don’t quite get that.  But one thing I do get is the next statement: “Do not go out; do not follow them.”

This is where the marathon metaphor comes into play.  When there is a person that crosses the finish line, the race doesn’t stop for the rest of the runners.  It is like that for believers.  “The Kingdom is coming!”  Yes, I know, but I still have a race to run—I want to finish strong and NOT BE DISTRACTED.

That is what I think Jesus is saying to the Disciples: Don’t be distracted.  Yes, I am returning.  But there are a lot of things that will occur in parallel with my Coming.  You, beloved, keep running in my Name.

Prayer: Father, the King is Coming!  Yes!  Come Lord Jesus and that soon.

Until then, help me to focus on the race and finish strong.  AMEN

8/15/20 Saturday

Journal Luke 16 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.  But…it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.”  Luke 16:16-17

 

Observation: Violence and the Gospel.  Occasionally, Jesus says something that lends itself to a scratch on the top of the head and I go, “Huh?”

Analysis:   Square peg in a round hole.

I have spent years trying to figure this statement out and I have spent as many years failing and having to put it aside for another day.

This morning the picture of a square peg being positioned over a round hole came to mind, with a hand and a hammer trying to get that square peg into that hole.  Doesn’t fit smoothly.

Neither does trying to fit a personal view or interpretation of the Gospel, using out of context verses or worse yet, my own punkin’ head reasoning, into that Gospel-shaped hole.

I only have to consider the idea of “getting my ticket punched” through an alter call to get to heaven to see an example of “forcing my way into the Kingdom of God.”  What happen to “persevere to the end” and “pursue in the fear of the Lord to the end of my days” as a godly objective?

This is the parallel verse from Matthew 11:12, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”

It reads like the Kingdom of God is defined, but the definition is being violently forced into…what?  Something that is not the Good News of the Kingdom of God?  I can’t help but consider that as a possibility.

So how does this affect me?  What do I need to glean out of this?  One word: Surrender.

I understand that there is nothing that is inherent in me that God would find lovely.  Nothing.  Since before I was born, God knew I was born a traitor and would be, at my core, a traitor all my days.  That is why I need a Redeemer, a Savior: Not once upon a time, but for every day of my life.

The Gospel is this: Salvation, Redemption is all of God the Trinity’s prerogative and sovereignty.  I could do nothing to earn it.  Even my “salvation statement of faith” is all powered by Him Alone, through His sovereign choice.  I could not and cannot come to Him on my own, I must be called.  The Scripture is clear on that.

IF I got this right, THEN when I think of “twisting the Scriptures”, it MAY be considered a violent act, not consistent with reverent, accurate, and humble handling of the Word of God (see 2 Tim:15).

Prayer: Father, what did I learn today?  I think all that I did was to put a theoretical answer to a long-standing question about this passage.  Still, when I ponder upon it, it does make sort of sense.  This is a result of the wonder about Your Word—that I can think and ponder, gaze at the overwhelming freshness of the Gospel daily.  AMEN