February 9, 2010- God Everywhere

Scripture to read today:
Leviticus 10; Leviticus 11; Leviticus 12; Acts 16

Scripture that spoke to me:
Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Observation:
Paul and Silas are in prison after being severely flogged. They didn’t have a trial, weren’t treated the way a Roman citizen should be treated. Yet here they are, in prison, praying and singing to God. It doesn’t matter their circumstances, they are still praising God and telling others the Good News.

Application:
I tend to keep God in compartments. I don’t mean to, but often I think things have to be perfect in order to pray, praise God, or tell others about Him. Paul and Silas remind me that it doesn’t matter. You can keep God with you everywhere- when things are right and when they’re wrong, when you’re in good places and when you’re in bad places. He shares every part of our life, not just the ones we’re pleased and happy with.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for being in my life. Please bless me, even in the dark places. Amen.

February 6, 2010- Offering God Our Best

Scripture to read today:
Leviticus 1; Leviticus 2; Leviticus 3; Acts 13

Scripture that spoke to me:
Leviticus 2:5-7
If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle, it is to be made of fine flour mixed with oil, and without yeast. Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. If your grain offering is cooked in a pan, it is to be made of fine flour and oil. Bring the grain offering made of these things to the LORD; present it to the priest, who shall take it to the altar.

Observation:
I groaned when I realized we were reading in Leviticus today. These teachings and ancient laws are so tedious to read. I wondered if I could read anything that would speak to me. But this passage did- as I read it and saw how precise the Lord was about His offerings. He wanted the best from the people, and not just anything they might have wanted to throw together as an offering.

Application:
God doesn’t want our leftovers, He wants our best! He wants our full tithe; our faithful prayers; our consistent acts of service and worship. And what do we do? Pray when we think about it; worship when it fits our schedule; give if there is something left over at the end of the month. This is backward- we should give God the first serving, not scrape the pot for what might be left at the end.

Prayer:
Dear Lord forgive us. We get things so wrong sometimes. You should come first above everything, yet often we save You for last. Forgive us Lord and accept our offerings to You. Amen.

January 18, 2010 – Asking for What you Want

Scripture to read today:
Genesis 44; Genesis 45; Genesis 46; Luke 18

Scripture that spoke to me:
Luke 18:40-42
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.”

Observation:
The blind man called out to Jesus- cried out in his misery and in faith. But he still had to tell Jesus exactly what he wanted. Jesus healed his eyes so he could see again.

Application:
I’m bad at asking for what I want. I want God’s will to be done, not mine. But Jesus asked the man specifically what he wanted. I’m thinking Jesus could have figured it out without asking, but He wanted to hear it from the man himself. We need to remember that in prayer- to be specific about what we want.

Prayer:
Lord, I want to do a better job of asking for what I want. I also want what is in Your will. Help me to know how to reconcile those two things. Amen.

12 Days of Grace- Day 11- Sanctifying Grace

We have been given one grace that shows in many ways. Prevenient Grace is the wooing of God to bring us to Him. Justifying Grace is the grace that allows us to say “yes” to God. Sanctifying Grace is the gift of God providing the desire and the power to grow in our relationship with Him. We must daily die to our sins. Being Christian is not about salvation but about transformation to a life-long commitment to grow closer to God.

Jesus said that the great commandment is to love God with your whole being and to love your neighbor as yourself. Being Christian is about serving God by serving others. Sanctifying Grace is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives:
1- By imparting new life, new strength, and a new heart to each of us. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! We become more like Jesus through justification (being made right through Jesus) and sanctification (transformation by the Holy Spirit.) Having been justified, we can grow through sanctification.
2- Restores our relationship with God and others. We were created to be like God until sin interfered. The Holy Spirit works to bring us back to a right relationship with God and with others.
3- By equipping us to do the work of Christ in the world. God does not call the equipped, he equips the called.
4- To empower us to serve our neighbor. Read Matthew 25: 31-46:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

We can’t stay where we are- we must grow. God has poured His love into our hearts; the Holy Spirit ignites a fire in our hearts!

Ways to Grown in Sanctifying Grace:
1- Grow in prayer
2- Grow through study
3- Grow through action/service
4- Remain in a community

Community is the key. The community is what can provide the study opportunities and chances for service. Prayer is more effective in a triangle- us to someone to God. Communities provide us the chance to get away from asking God for things that are all about us, and ask more about the needs of the community. Many people think that they can be Christians without ever having fellowship with another Christian. But they can’t grow and learn and serve in their own world. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus said “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” We are all part of the body of Christ.

The Body of Christ is a group of people that are called and desire to belong to Christ. No one is more or less important than another (2 Cor. 5:17). The body of Christ has a function and a mission in the world to continue Christ’s ministry.

Who makes up the Body of Christ?
1- Laity and Clergy- laity witness to the living Christ and carry Him into the community. Their work is not independent of the work of the clergy, which is to tell about God through the Bible and offer sacraments, which are the hand of God reaching out.

2- Individuals and groups- anyone who chooses to follow Christ and do His will.

3- Families- the “Domestic Church” is the primary setting for Christian education.

Characteristics of the Body of Christ:
1- He is Alive! Jesus is not dead, and vital disciples reflect the excitement of the risen Lord.
2- Covenental- God covenants with us and we commit back to Him. This heals rifts and problems if we allow it to.
3- Gifted- Jesus healed, fed the poor, walked on water.
Romans 12:3-12:
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
John 14:12- I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
4- Renewing- continually growing, changing to respond to God’s call.
5- Missional- Jesus didn’t come just to visit. He had a mission. We meet for worship and nurture, then scatter for witness and service. Church isn’t a warehouse to store up souls!

Plan of Action for Individuals:
1- Focus on a need. Pray, pray, pray- where is the Holy Spirit showing you a need?
2- Identify your gifts and resources- how can you help?
3- Seek the support of others- share your plans and concerns with your church family.
4- Work as a team- do not overexaggerate or underestimate your importance. Seek council.
5- Make sure your plan meets with the mission of your church.

12 Days of Grace- Day 7- Means of Grace

“Means of Grace” is a sacred moment, reminding us of the presence of Christ. We have one grace that comes from the Lord, but it can be experienced in many different ways. In a “means of grace” moment, Jesus Christ is re-presented to us, He is made real, or becomes present to us anew.

Sacraments are sacred moments. They involve the senses in outward and invisible signs. They involve your spiritual senses through inward and spiritual works of grace. The sacraments in church vary by church and by denomination:
Catholics-
1- Penance
2- Marriage
3- Holy Orders
4- Confirmation
5- Healing

We may not all believe alike, but we can love alike. Most Christians follow the sacraments of baptism and communion.
Baptism: represents the human need to beling to the family of God
- marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry
- trusted to disciples (Acts 2: 38-39) it is for everyone whom the Lord calls to Him)
- baptism comes in different modes, usually depending on denomination
1- immersion (in a body of water or in a tank placed in the church)
2- Pouring- (from a pitcher or cup) became popular in the 3rd century
3- Sprinkling- most common among Protestants

The age of baptism varies:
Adults celebrate God’s love and grace
Children celebrate God’s love and promise in their lives
Parents answer for their small child and themselves.
Confirmation is where children “confirm” the promises that their parents made at their baptism. This is their chance to accept God for themselves.

The congregation is usually involved, promising to support the baptized in Christ.

Communion: the human need for Forgiveness of sins. May also be called the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s Table, the Eucharist (which means grateful), Mass, or Divine Liturgy.
-Jesus gave this sacrament directly to His disciples. This is where Christ is re-presented to all Christians.

Both baptism and communion allow us to say “yes” to God.

Sacred moments are not always sacraments but can be means of grace. There are sacred moments in the life of the church- rites, ordinances, or ceremonies. Through worship, prayer, giving, visiting, anointing, confirmation (the human need for rite of passage), baptism, communion, all offer the opportunity to say “I love you, Lord, and I accept our new relationship and responsibility.

Every Christian is called to ministry but not all are called to ordination. Ordination is a human need to confirm a person’s call to the ministry of pastoral care. This affirms those called by God. Participation of others to support those called is very important. Most ministers need those prayers and suppoer.

Marriage is another moment that fulfills the human need for life-long companionship. However, singles can find in Christ and Christian community all that they need. Marriage, mutuality, love, are means of grace for the extended family. Not a life long attraction, but a call for two people together to witness to God’s love.

Sacred moments that help us get closer to God include:
1- Prayer- the human need for fellowship with Christ and community. The most significant framework for our life. Can bring Christ’s power to others
2- Searching the Scripture- the human need for spiritual guidance
3- Worship- the human need for communion with God. If we do not worship God, we will worship other things. Allows for mutual accountability and is an essential means of grace, provides spiritual nurture and support and calls us to share together.
4- Finding spiritual friends
5- Being an active part of the body of Christ
6- fasting- fasting from earthly things to give time for heavenly things, they are sacrifices that bring us closer to God. This may not be food-oriented but may be the fasting from activities that keep you from God (TV, computer, hobbies, complaining, etc.)
7- generosity- the human need to help others. Jesus took on the role of servant. Humility and grace are required for servanthood.

Sacred moments occur in reconciliation, confession, etc. Means of Grace restore us to health. In Greek, HEALING and SALVATION are the same word.

God wants to make us whole. We are supposed to confess our sins and pray for each other’s healing. God prunes away parts of our life to make us more productive.

December 15, 2009- Thy Will be Done

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

Scripture that spoke to me:
James 4:2-3
You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Observation:
We all know that God answers prayers, but He doesn’t always answer them the way we would like. And that is because of us- we want what makes us happy, not what makes God happy.

Application:
I know this, but sometimes I don’t know what makes God happy! The big things are obvious, but it is the little things. How do I know what he has planned for my children? Or if he wants me to love this person or that one? Or go this way or that, when both look honorable to me? I try to pray for God’s will to be done, but then the Bible says to ask for what you want! So this is all really easy for James to say, but in practice it becomes tougher. I just will pray for what I want if it is God’s will and let it be. (oh, the “and let it be” is the toughest part!)

Prayer:
Lord, I know You have a plan for my life. Help me find it. Let my prayers reflect Your will and grant me grace, peace, and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, 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 4, 2009- Prayer for Faith

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

Scripture that spoke to me:
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Observation:
I have always loved this prayer of Paul’s. He has such a sense of wanting people to come to God and get to know all that He is. That is reflected in this prayer.

Application:
I need to have more of a sense of others’ faith. I pray for people to be blessed in their life, work, health, etc. but I don’t think too much about their faith. I guess I assume everyone is just ok- that it is personal for them where they are in their walk. I want to remember Paul’s prayer more, and pray that for my friends, family, and co-workers each day this week.

Prayer:
Lord, nothing should be a bigger concern to me than the salvation of my friends. I pray that they all come to know the mighty God you are and that they love and worship You always. Amen.

November 21, 2009- Belief

Scripture to read today:

Matthew 8; Matthew 9; Matthew 10

Scripture that spoke to me:
Matthew 9:28-29
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”;

Observation:
Belief is the key to all the gifts of God. Just like these blind men believed and were granted their sight, we have to believe that God is who He says He is (I AM) and He will do what He promises to do.

Application:
This is one of my biggest challenges. I do believe in God- I do believe He can do anything. But sometimes I don’t believe He will. I tend to ask for things, pray for situations, where I ask God to do something if He wants to. I think I’m leaving a way for my spirit to not be disappointed if it doesn’t happen. And I know you can pray for healing and not get it. I know you can pray and have Him answer “no.” But I need to learn to approach prayer not timidly but boldly. Just ask and believe that He will come through. No, not for a million dollars or for unnecessary things, but for love, goodness, forgiveness, and peace.

Prayer:
Lord, grant me love, peace, goodness, and forgiveness. I know You offer these freely to those who believe- and I do believe. Help me not to carry a troubled and weary heart, but a heart that is so full of Your goodness that it spills out onto others and gives them love and peace as well. Amen.

November 1, 2009- Help My Unbelief

Scripture to read today:

Psalm 121; Mark 9; Mark 10

Scripture that spoke to me:
Mark 9:23-24
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Observation:
This father has watched his son suffer his entire life. Now he turns to Jesus, who he knows can heal his son, for help. Jesus says that of course he can heal the boy- anything is possible if you believe.

Application:
I believe with my heart but my head says something else. I know that all things are possible with God. I get it. He can do whatever He wants. I also know we don’t always get everything we ask for. So where is the line in there- between believing that God can do anything and knowing that sometimes our prayers are answered with a “no” or a “wait awhile?” I feel a lot like this father- who believes that Jesus can heal his son, but isn’t sure that He will.

Prayer:
Lord, I do believe that all things are possible with You. Help me to have faith. Help my unbelief. Amen.