Day 27 – John 21:15-21
Here, three times Jesus asks Peter if he loved him. The same number of confirmations is given as was his denials on the night that Jesus was arrested.
In love God sent his son. In love, Jesus came and gave his life for us. There is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends. Jesus asks no less of Peter. He tells him “Peter, if you love me, feed those who would become part of my flock.” “Peter, if you love me, then watch over my disciples and keep them from the evil one.” “Peter, if you love me, feed my disciples who hunger and thirst after righteousness.”
Jesus had already told the disciples that he was “The Way” (the only way) and that they should walk in it. He had told them that he was “The Truth” and they should believe in him and have everlasting life. He had also told them that he was “The Life” and all who fell short would perish. Now he at this resurrection meeting with his disciples he is telling them to carry on his ministry.
During their time with Jesus, he was the one who sought the lost, taught his disciples, kept them from the evil one and laid his life for all of us. Now he is asking them to do the same. Don’t worry about the ministry that he gives to others. Serve him just as he calls you. In love he served us and it is in that same love that he asks us to serve others.
Showing posts with label Saturday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saturday. Show all posts
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Day 20 – Matthew 21:18-19 and Galatians 5:22-23
This same illustration is used over and over throughout the New Testament by at least five different writers. I think my favorite account is from in Matthew 7:15-20. Here, Jesus is referring to anybody who says they are proclaiming God’s truths and precepts.
Matthew 7:15-20
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
These passages can chill you to the bone. In Galatians 5:22-23, we read that the fruit of the spirit is seen as love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Be careful though. Don’t use this as a checklist to model your life by. Instead use this as a checklist in your past actions to determine the state of your heart.
You can take a Maple tree and hang the best apples on every branch. Someone who knows nothing about trees may even come by and pick those apples and marvel at how good they are. If an apple farmer came across this same tree in his orchard, he wouldn’t be fooled for even a second because he would be able to see its true nature. Knowing that it was a Maple tree, he would cut it down and destroy it because he knows that it doesn’t belong in his orchard. An evil man can outwardly show all of these signs of the fruit of the Spirit; but in the end God knows the heart and the difference. In Proverbs it says that even the plowing of a wicked man is sin.
Lord, allow me this day to see beyond the leaves and branches of my outward appearance so that I may look upon my heart and the true motives of my actions. Let your Spirit rest on me and truly change me to a fruitful tree for your glory.
This same illustration is used over and over throughout the New Testament by at least five different writers. I think my favorite account is from in Matthew 7:15-20. Here, Jesus is referring to anybody who says they are proclaiming God’s truths and precepts.
Matthew 7:15-20
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
These passages can chill you to the bone. In Galatians 5:22-23, we read that the fruit of the spirit is seen as love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Be careful though. Don’t use this as a checklist to model your life by. Instead use this as a checklist in your past actions to determine the state of your heart.
You can take a Maple tree and hang the best apples on every branch. Someone who knows nothing about trees may even come by and pick those apples and marvel at how good they are. If an apple farmer came across this same tree in his orchard, he wouldn’t be fooled for even a second because he would be able to see its true nature. Knowing that it was a Maple tree, he would cut it down and destroy it because he knows that it doesn’t belong in his orchard. An evil man can outwardly show all of these signs of the fruit of the Spirit; but in the end God knows the heart and the difference. In Proverbs it says that even the plowing of a wicked man is sin.
Lord, allow me this day to see beyond the leaves and branches of my outward appearance so that I may look upon my heart and the true motives of my actions. Let your Spirit rest on me and truly change me to a fruitful tree for your glory.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Day 13 - Acts 4:1-19
I got home from my trip to Minneapolis yesterday. Although I have traveled regularly for over 10 years, the routine of going out on the road has never settled in. Regardless of how much I like the area or how nice the hotel is, it isn’t home.
When an unbeliever hears the Gospel, no amount of words that we say could ever convince them of the truth. They will use anything they can to deny it. They can/will argue the points of scripture that we present. They can’t however explain/deny the testimony of a changed life; it could be when they see the shy behaving boldly in the name of God; the addict free from his addictions; the drunk now sober and functioning in society; the healed family of a once broken home; perhaps even the body of someone miraculously healed. As with all of these examples, there is no argument against a changed life.
When God enters our lives, there is a marked difference. We should be visibly set apart from the rest of the world. Perhaps they will even marvel at the change. Like John and Peter, people should be able to know that we have been with Jesus. When they ask why we are different, we should be ready with the answer. “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
I got home from my trip to Minneapolis yesterday. Although I have traveled regularly for over 10 years, the routine of going out on the road has never settled in. Regardless of how much I like the area or how nice the hotel is, it isn’t home.
When an unbeliever hears the Gospel, no amount of words that we say could ever convince them of the truth. They will use anything they can to deny it. They can/will argue the points of scripture that we present. They can’t however explain/deny the testimony of a changed life; it could be when they see the shy behaving boldly in the name of God; the addict free from his addictions; the drunk now sober and functioning in society; the healed family of a once broken home; perhaps even the body of someone miraculously healed. As with all of these examples, there is no argument against a changed life.
When God enters our lives, there is a marked difference. We should be visibly set apart from the rest of the world. Perhaps they will even marvel at the change. Like John and Peter, people should be able to know that we have been with Jesus. When they ask why we are different, we should be ready with the answer. “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Day 6 – Isaiah 6:1-12
I sit to write this morning at what on our calendar is the beginning of a new month. Today, Second Baptist Church is holding the first game of the season for our “Upwards” flag football ministry. All of the kids will be excited and many hours of hard work will start to be realized as unforgettable memories are made. Last year we had an entire family come to the Lord as a result of this ministry, and I pray that this year will also be as fruitful. Even the planting of one seed towards repentance of a lost soul will be more than worth all the work that has gone it by all of the coaches, referees and other staff that helped with the administration and planning.
Isaiah briefly had a vision of the Lord in all of his splendor and glory. Although only a vision, Isaiah came face to face with the Lord and was suddenly overwhelmed by his presence. Confronted by pure holiness, he realized that there was no way that he could consider himself as anything other than wretched.
Then, he heard the voice of the Lord. The Lord wasn’t crying out like the Angels that surrounded him. The same small still voice that accosted Elijah was calling out to Isaiah and it asked “Whom shall I send, and who will go for US?” This same voice cries out to each of us daily.
There may be different levels of service and different measures of need, but we must all answer the same way. This answer need not be given verbally to God. Just responding to a question doesn’t mark your obedience. Whether one at a time or before crowds, we must stand before the people and proclaim, “Here I am, GOD sent me! He is Holy, Holy, Holy. The Earth is full of His glory.”
There are precious souls out among the crowds that need to hear word of God. He is speaking to them but they refuse to hear. God’s glory surrounds them, but they refuse to see. He gives them understanding, but they refuse to apply it.
There is coming a day when the cities will be uninhabited and laid to waste. There will be empty homes and desolate lands. The spiritual famine is already upon us and the forsaken places are many in our midst. There is still time, GO………
God grant me the strength, wisdom and knowledge to effectively stand before your creation and proclaim your good news. Show me my cross daily and direct my paths. Open eyes so that they may see; grant hearing so that they may hear and draw hearts to your understanding. Here I am Lord, send me.
I sit to write this morning at what on our calendar is the beginning of a new month. Today, Second Baptist Church is holding the first game of the season for our “Upwards” flag football ministry. All of the kids will be excited and many hours of hard work will start to be realized as unforgettable memories are made. Last year we had an entire family come to the Lord as a result of this ministry, and I pray that this year will also be as fruitful. Even the planting of one seed towards repentance of a lost soul will be more than worth all the work that has gone it by all of the coaches, referees and other staff that helped with the administration and planning.
Isaiah briefly had a vision of the Lord in all of his splendor and glory. Although only a vision, Isaiah came face to face with the Lord and was suddenly overwhelmed by his presence. Confronted by pure holiness, he realized that there was no way that he could consider himself as anything other than wretched.
Then, he heard the voice of the Lord. The Lord wasn’t crying out like the Angels that surrounded him. The same small still voice that accosted Elijah was calling out to Isaiah and it asked “Whom shall I send, and who will go for US?” This same voice cries out to each of us daily.
There may be different levels of service and different measures of need, but we must all answer the same way. This answer need not be given verbally to God. Just responding to a question doesn’t mark your obedience. Whether one at a time or before crowds, we must stand before the people and proclaim, “Here I am, GOD sent me! He is Holy, Holy, Holy. The Earth is full of His glory.”
There are precious souls out among the crowds that need to hear word of God. He is speaking to them but they refuse to hear. God’s glory surrounds them, but they refuse to see. He gives them understanding, but they refuse to apply it.
There is coming a day when the cities will be uninhabited and laid to waste. There will be empty homes and desolate lands. The spiritual famine is already upon us and the forsaken places are many in our midst. There is still time, GO………
God grant me the strength, wisdom and knowledge to effectively stand before your creation and proclaim your good news. Show me my cross daily and direct my paths. Open eyes so that they may see; grant hearing so that they may hear and draw hearts to your understanding. Here I am Lord, send me.
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