Scripture

Vs 1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

Vs 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.

Vs 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”

Vs 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Vs 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

VS 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith.

Observation

Jesus is having a unique moment with Peter, James, & John.

He takes them separately to see Jesus in a transfigured state and with ancient heroes of the faith and even to hear the voice of the Father speak directly to Jesus.

They were terrified, but Jesus came near to them, touched them, and encouraged them to not be afraid.

As they journeyed back, Jesus taught them again and gave them understanding.

Even after this experience, the disciples quickly showed incompetence and lack of faith.

Application

Jesus gives a unique leadership lesson here

He doesn’t necessarily treat everyone the same

Jesus takes a few to intentionally pull aside for a unique experience

And during this frightening experience He encourages them to not be afraid of what He has led them into.

And after the experience, He helps them understand what they have just gone through.

So … a few necessities to lead the way Jesus did here …

With Intention

With Encouragement (literally to “put courage into”)

With Understanding

I must be intentional, and encouraging, and understanding.

And yet, even after that … those I’ve led may still fail.

(And, of course, I will.)

And I may still get frustrated … even Jesus did!

But I now have the Holy Spirit to do these regularly.

I can’t stay in a special space the way Peter wanted to on the mountain top.

I must move with the Holy Spirit, knowing He will …

Lead me … intentionally.

Encourage me … regularly.

And grant me understating.

May I now rely on the Holy Spirit’s consistent and constant presence …

Not a unique and special circumstance.

Prayer

Thank You, again, Father, for your Word

Help me, Spirit, keep confidence in You

And follow You

Wherever You lead me

In Jesus name,

Amen

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

 

Scripture: “When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’

And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.”

But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread…How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware the leaven of the bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees…” (excerpts of Matt 16:5-12)

Observation: Even the disciples had a “Homer Simpson” moment right before the “Ah ha!” moment. I get the feeling that they still were scratching their head even though they thought they understood…

 

Application: Earlier in Matthew 9:16-17, there was mention of “wine skins”:

“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 new wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed.”

 

The comparison between these (cloth, wineskins, and leaven of Pharisees/Sadducees) is going back to the safety of the old ways.

What does that mean, I ask myself? (Really, I am asking myself—while I understand this in my gut, I have not thought about it out loud. That is a function of journalling—writing down your thoughts so that pondering is not a hit and miss memory function. Also, there is something to discuss with your mates about.)

Back to the story: The “safety of the old ways” could be the rote practice of “old religion” and not exploring what it is God is doing and emphasizing in my generation.

Acts 13:36 referenced a testimony about David:

“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep…

I have been a Christian for about 50 years or so…and confess my need of Jesus’ redeeming blood daily. And not many days go by wondering if I am serving the purpose of God in my generation.

It doesn’t have to be big stuff. I think of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:42-43:

“And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And [Jesus] called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box…”

 

A penny in the plate, and her work is memorialized for centuries—not to mention lauded in the annuls of Heaven.

Therefore, the question always is: Do I want to serve the purpose of God in my generation or, what?

What vision do I have?

Prayer: Father, what vision do I have? Am I radical for you or have I “rested” from pursuing you with all I have?

What do old guys do in a culture of youngsters?

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture-

Matthew 15:32 – Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.  And I am unwilling to send them away hungry lest they faint on the way.”

 

Observation-

Jesus had a large crowd following him, yet he called the disciples close to teach them.  Jesus has compassion for the people who have been following him and are hungry.  Jesus had compassion for all people including those who were in a non-Jewish region.  Jesus was not willing to send people away hungry and weak to fend for themselves.  Jesus’ concern that they may not be strong enough to provision.

 

Application-

My heart needs to break for what breaks Jesus’ heart. In so doing, I will meet people where they are and compassionately share the love of Christ with them.  

The gospel is for all people regardless of culture, economic status or location. So, I can have compassion for people who are lost and hurting in downtown Bradenton or halfway around the globe.  I must meet people’s needs and love them as Jesus does. This calls for me to recognize a need get out of the stands and onto the playing field.  The prophet Elijah is speaking with the widow from Zarephath in

1 Kings 17:13 when he is asking her for food as God commanded. And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said.”   If God has laid something on my heart, I have to allow the Spirit to guide me in strength then to take action to go to where I am called then do the work with compassion.  This is the hope that we have in the Lord for not just provision but our greatest need to be reconciled to God through the faith in Jesus.

 

Prayer –

Father, Break my heart for what breaks yours.  Let the Spirit give me strength to have compassion to love people well to extend your glory here and amongst the nations.  

Journal Matt 12 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture: “But the Pharisees went out and conspired against [Jesus], how to destroy him. Jesus (aware of this) withdrew from there. [and] Many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known.

 

(This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.

 

I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.’).” Matt 12:14-21

 

Observation: Cause and effect? The passages before these talked about how Jesus put the Pharisees in their place.

 

After that, Jesus “healed many” and then instructed everyone to be quiet about it…

 

Would I have done that? Not hardly…

 

Application: I read accounts like this, read what Jesus did and said, and ponder why the guys today may not follow his example?

 

Maybe they do and it is just not publicized…

 

Going through Matthew (and the rest of the Gospel accounts) it is very evident that “preaching the Kingdom/Gospel and praying for healing” go hand in hand. Isn’t that something?

 

There is another thing to unpack: Jesus, while being public about preaching and miracles and stuff, still encouraged the followers to be quiet about it. Perhaps it is a corollary of “serving/giving in secret…”:

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them—for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven…But when you give (heal, serve?) to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you…” (Matt 6:1-4)

 

Concerning Jesus, it is wrapping up the prophetic word. He doesn’t raise his voice, doesn’t fight (although there is that whip in the temple thing…but even that is a reconciliation to a prophetic word [Ps 69:9]), and he opened the focus of redemption from the Jews only and included the Gentiles (always Plan A of the Gospel from creation).

 

So, in the Scripture passage above, I see what is happening in the time reviewed and the fulfillment of prophecy concerning Jesus. Candidly, I have a wandering mind thinking about this passage—a few thoughts are running through the space between my ears. Thoughts about Jesus and the way He did things; thoughts about prophecy; thoughts about the process of evangelism and if I am getting it “right”, etc.

 

While this is “authored” by Matthew, some historians (this dug out of my memory) attributes the text to Peter. If that is so, isn’t it interesting that the text talks about what is happening (Pharisees conspiring, Jesus healing, etc.) and then there is a memory of “This is like what the Scriptures say…”

 

How many times am I prodded to remember what the Scriptures say in my day-to-day life? When I speak badly, do I remember what the Scriptures say about it? When I act inappropriately? When I do good? Bad?

 

Do I immerse myself in the Word so that the Holy Spirit has something to bubble up in my memory?

“But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

 

Something to ponder.

 

Prayer: Lord God. God of wonder. Please drive your Word deep into my heart and memory. Let my gray cells, few as they are, be a testimony of your mercy and grace.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

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

VS 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,

VS 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.

Observation

Jesus sends his apostles out to the fellow Jews with specific instructions …

Behold …

Be wise …

Beware …

Bear witness …

Application

Behold:

Everything starts with acknowledging the wonder and awe of who God is.

If I am not beholding who God is in the good times,

I will certainly abandon him in the bad.

I must behold … stand in awe … of the glory of God.

Be wise:

Once I am steadfast in my beholding of God …

I must have the very thing Solomon asked for: Wisdom

And this comes from God also.

Jesus is sending his followers out.

In this sending out, I must be able to discern …

Who is friendly? Who is open to the message?

What is the wise thing to do based on my daily circumstances?

Beware:

While I should be in awe and steadily hopeful, it is not a Pollyannish hope …

I must beware, there are enemies of the faith.

And there are those who will wish bad on what is good.

I must beware,

Bear witness:

And in the midst of all this … I can bear witness!

With the sprit in me I can bear witness

Am I living my life as one who is “sent “?

Am I living my life in such a way that people would even question my faith … my greatest loyalty?

The current culture is one where sincere exercise of faith is questioned in the courts and the town square.

Am I shocked by this? I shouldn’t be! Jesus told us this would happen.

I also see an extraordinary amount of anxiousness at this happening throughout the country.

This also should not be.

Jesus also told us this would happen, and he specifically warned us not to be anxious!

Why would we be questioned and handed over by citizens and governments?

To bear His witness!

This is a good thing and a good opportunity!

Why should we cry out over the questioning?

We should be exhilarated at the opportunity to “seek first the kingdom of God”!

Why should we not be anxious when we are delivered over?

Because we have a great Deliverer!

Why should we not be anxious when bad things happen due to our faith?

Because we know the end of the story!

This is how we can be both wise and innocent at the same time.

Of course, there is tension in this, but I must rely on the Holy Spirit.

I am sent, but I am also delivered, and I am saved!

Prayer

Thank you again Father for your Word.

Thank you for the wisdom and the warning it gives me.

Help me Holy Spirit to live in a way that deserves question

But also to endure in a way that is faithful and peaceful and wise and innocent.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

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

 

Scripture: (Jesus is speaking) “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 in 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 so both are preserved…” (Matt 9:16-17)

 

Observation: Movements through history; their existence, application, and accommodations…how does the Church manage them? What should I be looking and praying for?

 

Application: This section of Scripture reminds me of my start in the Kingdom. I thought I would share.

 

Once upon a time (40-some odd years ago) I was part of a church start up called the Gathering Unto Him. It was a bunch of like-minded young adults wanting to do something different than established denominational churches of the day. Our aim was to create a community of and for the King.

 

We weren’t innovative in this regard; there was an entire movement doing the same thing. However, there was at least one foundational scripture consistent among all these groups: We cannot put new wine into old wine skins—new wine being a fresh move of the Spirit (emphasis on fresh).

 

I still have a couple of books on my shelf about this. The main book title is (cleverly enough) “The problem of Wineskins: Church structure in a technological age.” (Howard A Snyder; IVP, Downers Grove IL; 1975) There is a sequel titled, “Community of the King.”

 

Suffice it to say, this book still influences my core thinking about church, church function, church mission, and church polity. It has been augmented with other, more scholarly books (especially books from 1995 on about Reformed Theology without reducing charismatic studies), and especially 2000 through 2006 where I was part of an intense men’s study group learning about the Cross and the Gospel.

 

I have now (being a senior and all that) realized that what I thought was revolutionary is just evolutionary; the Church goes through phases. These phases are easy enough to see in hindsight—mostly because the “general” church does not seem to do well concerning church history. I was in a Journal group this morning and all three (three?!!?) of us recognized the term “Great Awakening” and we probably could have bet that less than 20% of a survey taken this coming Sunday would even have known what it was. (We didn’t bet…)

 

The point of these “phases” that God brings? To sharpen the local church. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. Main culprit?

 

Perhaps the main culprit is the desire, temptation to “go back to Egypt” like Israel did with Moses after the going got tough (I am looking at the album “So you want to go back to Egypt” by Keith Green as I am writing this). Perhaps the old surroundings are more desirable than new stuff. Maybe…I don’t know.

 

Something to pray for concerning the next generation. Embrace “preaching the Gospel/Kingdom and healing the sick” and “making disciples” like Jesus instructed—although maybe pay attention to making disciples out of converts…

 

Prayer: Lord God, thank you so very much for all that you have brought me through. These accumulated experiences have made me the man I am today.

 

I don’t want to stop learning. I don’t want to stop gaining in godliness. I want to learn more about falling at the foot of the Cross and losing my life in You, always.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

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

 

Scripture: “All things have been handed over to me by my Father and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son AND any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls—for my yoke is easy and by burden is light…” Matt 11:27-30

 

Observation: Matthew 11 is rich in content, although it can be a little confusing on how Jesus weaves the narrative from the 1^st verse to the last in Matt 11; maybe I need to include stuff from Matt 10 and Matt 12 to make sense of it?

 

Are these snippets of wisdom and knowledge from Jesus, unrelated from each other (like it is in Proverbs) or are they part of a tapestry that disciples need to know about and understand the interrelationships?

 

Application: It is a temptation to change this from a biblical introspection (like what a journal should be) to a forum for teaching. Facts are, it must be a little of both. The best personal journal entries are those that I can review a year or more later and understand if it still has impact to the face in the mirror.

 

Every time I write on a set of verses, so that I essentially talk to myself, I try to find what the Spirit is saying. Easy enough, for His Word is life and life pulsates with every word, sentence, and paragraph.

 

Looking at these 4 verses, I see:

1. How much of a controlled doorway is knowing the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
2. It is Jesus’ decision to reveal himself and only with His decision can someone know Jesus.
3. There is an invitation to rest (from what?) in Jesus; and,
4. A question occurs with the difference in the invitation of following Jesus in humility just like him (gentle and lowly in heart) and the general declaration of the victorious Savior—or is there a difference at all?

I realize that there are other sections and verses in God’s Holy Word that seem (emphasis on “seem”) to offer a different take. Maybe those “different takes” are more palatable, more acceptable, agreeable, appetizing to my mindset at times. I remember times in my life where I wanted to be a “victorious soldier in Christ” rather than (what I imagined) a “milquetoast, lowly, person of no repute” public persona.

 

What if (I say to myself) I am supposed to be all of this?

 

What if (I say to myself) I need to keep in mind the character that Jesus describes of himself (gentle and lowly in heart) and resist the victorious characterization of Jesus for myself?

 

Wow! I didn’t mean to take this entry in this direction, I just went with where it was leading me. All victory is the LORD’s alone, I am just a tool in the process:

• “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.” (Prov 21:31)
• “But thanks be to God, who GIVES us the victory THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:57)
• “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty—for all that is in the heavens and in the earth are yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chron 29:11)

But, as a believer, as a disciple, I am to not excel in victorious attitudes (worldly originating attitudes) or feelings, but excel in humility, in laying down my life where perhaps it doesn’t feel right or is reasonable, but follows in the process of conforming to the image of Jesus (Ro 8:29 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined TO BE CONFORMED to the image of his Son…”)

 

Journaling like this may indicate that I am in for the long haul, not short blasts of inspiration—I can read my history and see where I have been and let the Holy Spirit, through the Holy Word, teach and guide me for the future.

 

Prayer: Father, revealed by the Son who was revealed by You: Honor and Gratitude be yours forevermore. Thank you for opening my blinded eyes and deaf ears and providing your Holy Word to my rocky heart. Soften my heart, O Lord Holy Spirit.

 

I hope that this posting reaches those whom you have cultivated. I hope that reading this in my future helps me to straighten out my crooked thinking.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

Matthew 8:10- 12 – When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said too those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Issac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Observation –
Jesus is talking with his disciples about the faith the Roman Centurion has in Jesus. This conversation reveals that the kingdom of heaven is not limited to ethnicity. Many from all nations and tribes will be those who are Jewish and have saving faith. Also, merely being of Jewish descent is not a birth rite into heaven. The Roman Centurion had faith and he submitted before Jesus, believed in Jesus and stated His saving power.

Application –
This is the kind of saving faith I need to have and be reminded of daily.
I must recognize who Jesus is and submit my entire life under Him as did the Centurion. The gospel is not exclusionary and is for all people no matter where they come from or what they have done. There is no other way to the kingdom of heaven except through the atoning blood of the Son. When we believe in our hearts and place our faith and trust in Jesus as Lord and savior we become adopted children of God. This is the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Verse 12 tells us entrance into the Kingdom is not a birth rite and Hell is real for those who are not reconciled to our holy God.

Prayer –
Father,
Thank you for your love grace and mercy in sending Jesus so I can repent, humbly submit before you to believe and confess you are Lord and Savior. Let the power of the Spirit guide me to share your love and truth in a winsome way to extend your glory.

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

 

Scripture: (Jesus is speaking) “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 in 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 so both are preserved…” (Matt 9:16-17)

 

Observation: Movements through history; their existence, application, and accommodations…how does the Church manage them? What should I be looking and praying for?

 

Application: This section of Scripture reminds me of my start in the Kingdom. I thought I would share.

 

Once upon a time (40-some odd years ago) I was part of a church start up called the Gathering Unto Him. It was a bunch of like-minded young adults wanting to do something different than established denominational churches of the day. Our aim was to create a community of and for the King.

 

We weren’t innovative in this regard; there was an entire movement doing the same thing. However, there was at least one foundational scripture consistent among all these groups: We cannot put new wine into old wine skins—new wine being a fresh move of the Spirit (emphasis on fresh).

 

I still have a couple of books on my shelf about this. The main book title is (cleverly enough) “The problem of Wineskins: Church structure in a technological age.” (Howard A Snyder; IVP, Downers Grove IL; 1975) There is a sequel titled, “Community of the King.”

 

Suffice it to say, this book still influences my core thinking about church, church function, church mission, and church polity. It has been augmented with other, more scholarly books (especially books from 1995 on about Reformed Theology without reducing charismatic studies), and especially 2000 through 2006 where I was part of an intense men’s study group learning about the Cross and the Gospel.

 

I have now (being a senior and all that) realized that what I thought was revolutionary is just evolutionary; the Church goes through phases. These phases are easy enough to see in hindsight—mostly because the “general” church does not seem to do well concerning church history. I was in a Journal group this morning and all three (three?!!?) of us recognized the term “Great Awakening” and we probably could have bet that less than 20% of a survey taken this coming Sunday would even have known what it was. (We didn’t bet…)

 

The point of these “phases” that God brings? To sharpen the local church. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. Main culprit?

 

Perhaps the main culprit is the desire, temptation to “go back to Egypt” like Israel did with Moses after the going got tough (I am looking at the album “So you want to go back to Egypt” by Keith Green as I am writing this). Perhaps the old surroundings are more desirable than new stuff. Maybe…I don’t know.

 

Something to pray for concerning the next generation. Embrace “preaching the Gospel/Kingdom and healing the sick” and “making disciples” like Jesus instructed—although maybe pay attention to making disciples out of converts…

 

Prayer: Lord God, thank you so very much for all that you have brought me through. These accumulated experiences have made me the man I am today.

 

I don’t want to stop learning. I don’t want to stop gaining in godliness. I want to learn more about falling at the foot of the Cross and losing my life in You, always.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Matt 6 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

 

Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you (as the hypocrites do) in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others…

 

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners that they may be seen by others…

 

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words…(excerpts from Matt 6:1-8)

 

Observation: Are these comments about “performance art” as practiced by “Christians?”

 

How much do I want to be seen as a “strong Christian?” How much do I want my ego to be “stroked?”

 

Application: There are four issues that are easily seen, but perhaps have some difficulty to be addressed:

1. Practicing righteousness before men. If the goal is to be conformed to the image of the Son (c. Ro 8:29), then practicing righteousness is going to be a desired outcome.

 

However, if all I want is to be seen and applauded, then my motivation is not godly or the pursuit of holiness, but the opposite—I am pursuing myself and demonstrating Sin (c. Gen 3:5).

 

2. Giving. If I want to be known as a giver, even if I want to be considered a tither (as an example), then the road is narrow.

 

The implication is clear: Give in secret. Be an example of both pieces of this equation: Give and be as secret as you can. (c. Mark 12:40-43 The widows’ mite not shouting her piety about and Luke 10:33-35 the good Samaritan keeping the arrangements between him and the innkeeper).

 

3. Praying in public. For a lot of people I know, this isn’t an issue; it is praying out loud anywhere for any reason. I wonder if this is the impetus for the “silent prayer” (pray in your mind) encouraged, or is it the permissive alternative for not stretching out of my comfort zone?

 

Example to consider: Jesus sent out disciples (the Twelve and so many more) to 1) Preach the Kingdom (which for us is another way of referring to the Gospel), 2) Heal the sick, and 3) Cast out demons. Now, not too many demons are identified in our local Aldi’s, Walmart, or Publix (although Walmart after hours have a lot of questions) and standing on a soap box preaching the Gospel might be a little too forward for most people.

 

But, praying for the sick? Quietly, and unobtrusively? This is a call to stretch out in faith.

 

4. Praying with many words, just to add words. How many folks do I know that start praying with a pat phrase, just to have a pat phrase? Does God sit up and pay attention more when He hears “Dear heavenly Father?”: “Whoops, sorry angels, and cherubim, I got a call coming in—got to go…”

 

Clarification: It isn’t that these phrases don’t have meaning, it is that they can be reflexive or automatic words that are just filling space but without personal significance—they can be found in the “shoot from the hip” prayers. What to do? What I did was to change up my personal prayers to eliminate any “non-value added” phrases to focus on content and purpose…and practice these privately.

 

The Bible has many instances of personal prayer, an intermediate level, and public prayer. Psalms has good examples to gain experience with. When assigned to pray publicly, I was instructed (once upon a time) to prepare by writing the prayer out. What a great thing that was!! I have a wedding reception to pray for next year and I will be preparing by writing notes and then writing. Objective: Tongues of Fire on the audience’s heads. Not really, but hopefully close to the same kind of impact.

 

Prayer: Lord God. After putting myself on the spot about prayer, now I write to You. I bow my heart to You not very well. You see me, through and through, and know what I am like (You know my frame…Ps 103:14).

Thank you for bringing scraps of Scripture to my memory and for ESV.org. It makes me look smarter than I am.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

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

 

Scripture: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

 

But I (Jesus) say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But, if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

 

And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

 

And, if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

 

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you…” Matt 5:38-42

 

Observation: In reading the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes this sound so logical. But how easy is this if not prepared to reflexively do it?

 

Application: The section from the ESV.org is subtitled “Retaliation”, perhaps meaning that my natural man would retaliate differently. Looking in the mirror, I can say to myself, “You think?”

 

Letting myself get beat up, voluntarily giving up my hard-earned goods, working twice as hard and as long by choice…the probable scenario if confronted with laying down my life like this is not giving in to a bully but to fight for my rights.

 

I do this (fight for my rights) every day—I don’t even think about it.

 

Fighting for rights is seen as virtuous…it is being a “man”, not something “less than a man.” The idea of standing up for myself and not “rolling over” is what is aspired to.

 

But is that godliness? Is that what the Holy Spirit wants? Is that being formed in the image of the Son?

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Ro 8:29a)

 

Of course, it is what the Spirit wants. What can be confusing is that godliness and manliness are intertwined. In fact, I could refer to the two as “godly-manliness.”

 

What isn’t so apparent in living life is understanding that Man, as we know about him today, isn’t so much as an “image-bearer” as he is a “corrupted image-bearer.” I want to do what I want to do way more than I want to do what God wants me to do. Simply put, subjectively I want my way and objectively, because of that, I deserve all of the Wrath of God.

 

Therefore, I need a redeemer.

 

Prayer: Father, I remember my own conversion night—the right message at the right time. “Put up or shut up” is how I would summarize that message at Methodist Youth Fellowship. That attitude hasn’t left me…much…ok, I faded in and out for years, but it always came back to “set my jaw and go at it again.”

 

I appreciate how you continue to push me forward, inch by inch.

 

Drive your Word into my heart; help me remember.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

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 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.  (c. Gen 3:5)

It is why I have been regenerated, born again, having 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.

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

 

Scripture: “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,

‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. [and] Assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, [Herod] inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They (the priests and the scribes) told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel…’ (c. Micah 5:2)’”

Observation: How big was this development in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ birth? If I slow down and read this, it was big news…at least bottom fold on the front page or Op-Ed conspiracy theory stuff…

 

Application: Slowing down and reading, trusting the Holy Spirit to fill in some possible gaps, allowing me to imagine the situation is muy interesting. I know I must be careful and not take it too far…but if I can have confidence in the translations, then maybe…just maybe…I can point out to myself what the text says and what it implies as well.

1. Wise men came from the east. Where? It doesn’t say here. But it was far enough to have an alternate way to get home. (c. Matt 2:12) Maybe it was tantamount like, “Avoid I4, go South I75 and cut east on SR70…”
2. This got me today: the Wise Men gave Herod some anxiety announcing the King of the Jews was born. The text implies that Herod didn’t even know that the Event was coming or even occurred; Herod appears to be blindsided.
3. No matter how I have heard the story before, it wasn’t just Herod who got weirded out, it was all of Jerusalem as well: “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matt 2:3)

This is an example of trying to fill in the back story, so that the progressing story has some meat and bones to it, but even in utilizing the imagination the Holy Spirit provides, the default is always to the Word of God.

Here are some questions that have my attention. Note that these questions don’t require any immediate answer, they exist to demonstrate the Supremacy of God in history:

1. Why were these three wise men investigating the skies?
2. How did the Wise Men conclude the “Star” was about the Messiah of Israel?
3. Why did this catch Herod and his cabinet by surprise? Was no one else studying for the appearance of the Birth?
4. Why was Jerusalem troubled? Was this something on the gossip back burner in the City?

And these are only a few of the questions that are evident from the passage I chose. It could be that the rumblings of troubled thoughts led to the extreme decision of Herod to invoke the response of Pharoah back in Moses’ day: Infanticide of newborn males. (Matt 2:16 and cf. Jer 31:15) While Herod’s decision is abhorrent, it served the purpose of God in fulfilling prophecy.

What is the conclusion, then? I don’t have any conclusions other than I have more to wonder about as I dig around in the scriptures further.

Happy hunting, folks. We are following in the footsteps and standing on the shoulders of the saints that have come before.

 

Prayer: Father, I was a good observation that you gave my wife this morning: Pray that our eyes might be opened. How often do I forget to pray specifically and to rely on You in reflex—not that You won’t answer and/or provide; it is just nice to ask and demonstrate dependence upon You.

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

Matthew 1:20-21 – 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, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

 

Observation-

As Joseph was considering how to be just with Mary and not cause her shame, he hears from an angel of the Lord.  The angel tells Joseph not to fear that the child Mary is carrying is conceived of the Holy Spirit.  The child is a boy who will be a savior to his people from their sins and his name shall be Jesus.

 

Application –

This is a remarkable account of what Joseph was feeling prior to the birth of Jesus.

We are not to fear as we know Jesus is God incarnate supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb. This is all part of God’s plan from the beginning of His creation. Jesus came into the world as a baby in human flesh so could understand us have empathy, serve and suffer for all of mankind.  God loves us so much that he sent a perfect sinless Jesus to save all who believe in their hearts and confess with their mouth that he is Lord of all. We must place our faith in Jesus and repent of our sin to be reconciled to God so we can have a relationship with Him and make Him Known.

 

Prayer-

Father, Thank you for your great steadfast love in sending Jesus to save me from my sins.  Let the same power of the Holy Spirit that conceived Jesus and raised him from the dead lead me trust you completely and follow you faithfully to glorify you.

Journal Ps 128-130 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture: “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities…O Lord, who could stand?

 

But, with you there is forgiveness that you may be feared.

 

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his Word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning…more than watchmen for the morning…” Ps 130:3-6

 

Observation: Do I regularly equate forgiveness with fearing God? Not hardly!! But, why not?

 

Application: This is where going slowly and methodically through the Scriptures are good. I probably would not have stopped to think about judgment, forgiveness, and fearing God in a comparative way.

 

Now, in all transparency and candor, there is a song that is ringing between my ears that has the refrain, “…more than watchmen in the morning…” in it and it contributed to pausing on this scripture.

 

I can “get” fearing God concerning that God can (and does) mark iniquities. Judgment/condemnation and fear seem to be hand holding buddies.

 

But “forgiveness”? Why should that cause a reaction to fearing God?

 

I think that it comes from not understanding the Gospel well enough.

 

One of the principles/precepts of the Gospel is: “All have sinned; all fall short of the Glory of God.” (Ro 3:23) Here are other references:

 

• “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…” (Ro 1:18)
• “…among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were BY NATURE children of wrath (like the rest of mankind). (Ep 2:3)
• “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” (Col 3:3-6)

 

Therefore, the blunt fact is that all men, born of woman, are in a place where the wrath of God (from God’s point of view) is deserved. While my internal reasoning wants to go, “Say it ain’t true. Isn’t God love?”

 

And that is where I get to fearing God. Because my unholiness cannot survive in the presence of His Holiness and I unequivocally DESERVE God’s wrath, He made a way to bridge the chasm through the Atonement of the Son. I shouldn’t fear that He is that powerful? Of course I should.

 

How much do I lay at his feet for this? He snatched my deserved wrath, fully deserved, and took it upon his own shoulders!! What manner of God is this?  Other gods (little “g”—notice), idols, and religion would DEMAND me to do all sorts of things to atone for my wrongdoing. Not this God, the God of Israel, Jesus the Son—He chose to be the atonement for my sin. This is a major principle of the Gospel.

 

Of course, I must change my mind about worshiping with fear (heavy duty respect that can result in bone shaking responses). I can be worshipful that He paid the debt for my sin, but I must consider the FACT that he didn’t have to. I must ask, because I am increasingly aware of my indwelling sin,

 

“Why did you do it for me?”

 

Prayer: I bow in gratefulness, O God. You are fearsome and deserved to be praised.

 

This is not the language of evangelicals. I can get wrapped up with “Joy” and “Happy” and “Rejoicing” that I can forget how fearsome You are.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes