March 11, 2010- More or Less a Christian

Scripture to read today:
Deuteronomy 16; Deuteronomy 17; Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2

Scripture that spoke to me:
Galatians 2:9-10 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.

Observation:
Paul is recounting his walk as a Christian and his growth in faith. He met Peter, and James and John and they accepted him. Paul realized that they all served the same Lord which made them all equals. They all also equally understood the importance of helping the poor.

Application:
Oh, how easy is it to think that we’re a better Christian than they are, or she is so much better than he, when in truth, we’re all just lucky to be God’s children! I hope I am growing in my faith and understanding, but that doesn’t mean that someone who hasn’t yet experienced the same growth is less of a Christian than I am. I wonder if there is even such a thing as being “more Christian” or “less Christian”? If you have Jesus in your heart, I am guessing that He doesn’t come in by doses- He is either in or He isn’t!

Prayer:
Lord, help me to stop judging others- comparing myself to them to see how I measure up. Let me instead focus on You and Your kingdom and all that I can do to further it. Amen.

February 26, 2010- WWJD?

Scripture to read today:
Numbers 19; Numbers 20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

Scripture that spoke to me:
Mark 5:18-19; 43
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.”

Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened,

Observation:
This chapter is full of miracles. The first, the healing of a man possessed by many demons. Jesus’ orders him to go home and tell everyone about what has happened to him. The other, a little girl raised from the dead. Jesus’ instructions to the family are to tell no one.

Application:
Why the difference? Why did he tell one to spread the word and the other to be quiet? Honestly, I don’t know. Sometimes I see WWJD and wonder what WOULD Jesus do? Do we really know? I do know he would heal, and he would love. And he would pray and worship God. Other than that, I don’t know. So how am I going to be like Jesus if I don’t know what He would do? Simple. I’m going to love, and pray, and worship God, and maybe not heal, but try to make people feel better. That’s what Jesus would do.

Prayer:
Lord, forgive me for maybe being way off the mark here. Some things that Jesus did surprise me. Help me to know Him so that I can be more like Him. Amen.

February 2, 2010- Shine the Light

Scripture to read today:
Exodus 33; Exodus 34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

Scripture that spoke to me:
Exodus 34:29-30
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.

Observation:
Moses has seen the glory of God, has spoken to Him on Mount Horeb, and has re-written the commandments onto new tablets. God has been present with Moses and it shows in the radiance on his face. I wonder what this radiance was? Is it like the radiance of a new bride or a pregnant mother? Or is it more glowing, like Jesus in the transfiguration? Either way, it was apparent to everyone that Moses was glowing. He had God in his heart and the light of God shined through Him.

Application:
Can we show the light of Christ in our radiance? How can people know, upon seeing us, that we have the Light? I do think that it is in our appearance. Our smile- our welcome- our genuine interest in other people. Maybe there is more to it than that, even. If we have the light of Christ in us, it just has to come out somehow.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to shine the light of Christ to others. Amen.

January 31, 2010- Stand Up For Jesus

Scripture to read today:
Exodus 28; Exodus 29; Acts 7

Scripture that spoke to me:
Acts 7:51-53
“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”

Observation:
Stephen is speaking the Truth- the truth of Jesus Christ- and he will be persecuted and stoned for it.

Application:
What would I do if I was faced with persecution for my beliefs? Would I have the courage to stand up for Him? I hope so, but I also know that often I’m weak. I do things that I don’t want to do. I hope I would have the strength but I’m not sure.

Prayer:
Lord, give me strength to always speak Your name, no matter how it may change my circumstances. Amen.

January 9, 2010- Who Do You Say I Am?

Scripture to read today:
Genesis 23; Genesis 24; Luke 9

Scripture that spoke to me:
Luke 9:20
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Observation:
The people surrounding Jesus had many ideas about Him and who He was. Some thought he was a prophet reincarnated. Others thought he was a wise teacher. Peter hit on the real answer- Jesus is the Messiah.

Application:
Even knowing that Jesus is the Messiah, do we know Him? Do we know how He thinks, what He stands for, who He is? Sometimes I wonder myself. Jesus said some really hard things I’d like to dismiss. I’d like to take the things that are easy for me and forget the hard parts. But to follow Jesus is to follow the entire man, not just the parts that make me happy. So I have to love my enemies, pray for those people I don’t like, embrace the poor and hungry and those different from me, because I want to truly know Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord, help me see who You are through Your Son. If I am to walk in Your ways, show me the path. Amen.

12 Days of Grace- Day 10- Discipleship

Mark 1:16-18- As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Discipleship is demonstrated by:
1- Giving your heart to Jesus in piety- it is shaped by your relationship with God.
2- Giving your mind to God in study (remember, Jesus taught his disciples)
3- Giving hands and feet to God in Christian action. Partnering with Jesus in minister is “on the job training.” Discipleship is a response to action- gathering in the harvest.

Discipleship is the process of becoming the whole person God calls each of us to be through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Discipleship embraces God’s highest purpose- to call all people back to Him.
A Disciple is:
1- Growing person lives fully by faith in Christ- loves God in all circumstances
2- Ministers to others to find the kind of person they can be
3- Is a full-time Christian- 24/7- lives every day for Jesus.
4- Witnesses to Christ and shows evidence of grace and resurrection.
5- Is a Christian leader- reaches out to lead others to God’s grace.
6- Is a servant to others.

Natural Qualities of a Disciple:
1- Knows priorities and constantly assesses them.
2- Discipline- accepts the call to follow Christ hourly.
3- Knows reality- is aware of people and circumstances. Has a warm heart, clear head, and two feet planted firmly on the ground.
4- Shows empathy- identifies with others in sorrow and in joy- appreciates the experiences of others.
5- Takes initiative- is a self starter who sees the opportunity for witness.
6- Is Generous- lives and acts out of gratitude- is blessed to be a blessing.
7- Does not withhold the living bread from a starving world.

Spiritual Qualities of Disciples:
1- Faith- dynamic faith- is convicted that the way of Christ is worth it! Has a joyful trust in God.
2- Humility- disciples know that there is room to mature, that there is no need for attentions, and they are born of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
3- Hope- sustained by hope in God- remembers the open tomb! With God, all things are possible. This is not a Pollyanna optimism, but a knowledge that things can be better.
4- Love- Every person matters. Is willing to sacrifice for the well-being of another. Wants to be there in times of need.

The greatest blessings come when we give to others. Jesus called us to feel His sheep and to follow Him. There were two types of people who followed him- His disciples, and the crowds. Crowds are inactive- wanted things from him like healing and blessing. The disciples wanted to reach out.

December 18, 2009- The Jesus Sideshow

Scripture to read today:
John 2; John 3; John 4

Scripture that spoke to me:
John 4:48
“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

Observation:
Jesus realizes that the miracles are what help people believe. They need something concrete to hold onto instead of just being told.

Application:
We’re the same way, but I think sometimes we miss the miracles. We expect them to be grand- on the scale of turning water into wine. But if we have faith- true faith- we would believe without the miracles, without the sideshow, and turn to the One who made it all to begin with.

Prayer:
Lord, I admit to enjoying the miracles. I love to see Your handiwork! I like feeling your presence and knowing that You are there. Help me to have more faith, so that I don’t rely on these signs and instead, rely on the knowledge of You. Amen.

December 16, 2009- Is Beauty only Skin Deep?

Scripture to read today:
1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2; 1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter 5

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Observation:
This really sounds like “pretty is as pretty does” – which is so true. Beautiful people get their beauty from within, not from without. And a beautiful heart shines through with the love of Christ.

Application:
I don’t think this means that we should go around in rags, not do our hair, and not take care of our bodies. We can have that inner beauty and be physically pretty on the outside, too. But I’ve seen people whose faces are drawn and lined with years of ugliness. The hate we harbor in our hearts shows through too, and often remains on our faces long after the feeling is gone. So I want to smile- I’d sure rather have laugh lines than frown lines!

Prayer:
Today, I want my inner beauty to show through and reveal the love of Jesus that is in my heart. Amen.

December 8, 2009- Spreading the Good News by Example

Scripture to read today:
1 Timothy 1; 1 Timothy 2; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Timothy 4

Scripture that spoke to me:
1 Timothy 1:3-4
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Observation:
Paul is reminding Timothy to pray for the people- from kings on down- for their salvation. That is their main mission. He then goes on with a litany of the way good people and leaders are supposed to act and live.

Application:
I think this goes along with my problem from yesterday. First, I need to pray for this man and pray for the ability to forgive him. Second, I need to remember how good people act- not stirring up controversies but showing people the way to Christ. I can’t let one person make me question my motives or my ability to do so.

Prayer:
Lord, this is hard. It is hard to look at a person in leadership to you and think they’re wrong, or mean, or evil, even. Help him, and help me, be the very best examples we can be for You, so that Your light shines through. Amen.

December 7, 2009- Ridding Myself of Anger and Learning to Forgive

Scripture to read today:

Colossians 1; Colossians 2; Colossians 3; Colossians 4

Scripture that spoke to me:
Colossians 3:8-10
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Observation:
Paul is reminding people that, if we want to be more like Jesus, we will have to give up our anger and rage and stop lying. We will be more gentle, more forgiving, and slow to anger.

Application:
Most of the time that is easy. I don’t have much of a temper and it takes a lot of pushing to make me mad. But I was there today. I found out last night that someone lied to a friend of mine and sent this friend a scathing email about something I’d done. I won’t go into details, but it was incredibly petty and nothing that I really did at all, just something he didn’t understand or agree with. My initial reaction was pity for the email sender, mixed with some denial, but was a general sadness.  Today I got mad. Because not only did he attack me, he attacked my friends in this email. So I managed to work up some good outrage at that. Now I’m to acceptance that I did the right thing and he’ll just have to deal with it. But I’m mad at him because now I’m going to have to try to figure out how to forgive him! And that isn’t easy!!

Prayer:
Lord, You know there are many things I don’t understand, and maybe some things I have wrong. But help me to see Your goodness in this situation and let me be Christ-like in my reactions in the days to come. Amen.