Tag: bible

On Conditioning the Soil of My Soul

Matthew 13:18-23 MSG  “Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.

20-21 “The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

22 “The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.

23 “The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”

Observation

Just before Jesus explains this parable/story, His disciples ask Him why He tells stories.  He replies: “That is why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it.”  Every story Jesus told left His hearers with the challenge to respond to what they heard.  “What kind of soil are you?  What kind of soil do you want to be?”   There were those that did ponder these questions and those who did not.

Jesus wanted His hearers to question the status quo – all that they had been taught was true religion and how to please God – and compare these to the voice, actions and commands of the One True God as revealed in the Scriptures.   The exercise of religion as defined by the religious leaders of the time (Pharisees and Sadducees, primarily) was condemning, exclusionary, impossibly rigid and a very heavy burden.   Jesus wanted His hearers to know His Father for Who He is rather than following empty man-made rules and rituals.  His stories were told to till the soil of the soul and make it “good earth” in order “to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening” – that any and all who receive and embrace the seed He sows will thrive in God’s Kingdom.

Impact On Me

This story is a beautiful picture of our God and His desire to care for us.  No self-respecting farmer purposely throws seed on the road.  The farmer of this story does because He is generous and hopeful with His invitation to receive and grow in Christ.  He casts the seed (His Word, His influence, His love – all of Himself) on hard and rocky places, taking the chance that the soil will awaken to the change offered, to create that readiness, to nudge toward seeing the Kingdom available, and receive the seed.  I can see Jesus walking in the field and bending down to break up the soil, to pull out the weeds, to scrape away the gravel so the seed has a chance to take root and grow.  This is why He walked the earth and died on the Cross.

I remember when I first heard Jesus asking me to challenge the status quo – what I had been taught to believe – and begin to read the Word of God, sit in His presence, and awaken to Who He really is – patiently and passionately redemptive, loving, merciful, just, faithful, for me and not against me, and so much more – converting obedience to joy.  Over the years, He continues to till the soil of my soul, increasing the breadth of the good earth in me as I allow Him to remove the weeds and rocks that life has buried there.  There is still much field to be cleared and planted.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will allow the Tiller to do all His Kingdom work.

Devotion

Lord God Almighty, King of all kings, Lord of all lords, Persistent Farmer of the fields of our souls, You are faithful, You are diligent, You are untiring and passionate in Your efforts to see us thrive in Christ and in Your Kingdom.  Clear the field of my soul of all the rocks and weeds of life so that the field of my soul expands to be all good earth.  Help me to let go of the weeds that are deep-rooted and the rocks which are large and heavy – not ashamed for them to be revealed but glad for them to be exposed to and carted away by You.  I submit myself to You without reservation.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.

On the Name of Jesus


John 14:9-14 Phillips “Have I been such a long time with you,” returned Jesus, “without your really knowing me, Philip? The man who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The very words I say to you are not my own. It is the Father who lives in me who carries out his work through me. Do you believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? But if you cannot, then believe me because of what you see me do. I assure you that the man who believes in me will do the same things that I have done, yes, and he will do even greater things than these, for I am going away to the Father. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, I will do—that the Son may bring glory to the Father. And if you ask me anything in my name, I will grant it.

Acts 3:16 Phillips  It is the name of this same Jesus, it is faith in that name, which has cured this man whom you see and recognise. Yes, it was faith in Christ which gave this man perfect health and strength in full view of you all.

I Speak Jesus
Songwriters: Jesse Pryor Reeves, Dustin Smith, Abby Benton, Carlene Prince, Raina Pratt.

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus over every heart and every mind ’cause I know there is peace within Your presence – I speak Jesus

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus ’til every dark addiction starts to break, declaring there is hope and there is freedom – I speak Jesus

‘Cause Your name is power – Your name is healing – Your name is life
Break every stronghold – Shine through the shadows – Burn like a fire

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus over fear and all anxiety – to every soul held captive by depression – I speak Jesus

Shout Jesus from the mountains – Jesus in the streets – Jesus in the darkness over every enemy – Jesus for my family – I speak the holy name – Jesus, oh

Observation

The name “Jesus” has no more power than any other name, UNLESS it is imbued with “faith in Christ” – Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Man, Son of God, Messiah, Word of the Father and so much more.   When it is invoked in the power and authority of Jesus the Christ, there is no power that can stand against the name of Jesus because the full power and authority of the One True Almighty God stands behind it and flows through it.   “I assure you that the man who believes in me will do the same things that I have done, yes, and he will do even greater things than these, for I am going away to the Father.”

Greater things??  Do we really believe this?  Do we pray in Jesus’ name expecting the power of evil to back up and the degradation of sin to begin to disintegrate?  Most of us are stretched in our faith to reach out expecting to see the kind of immediate results had at the word or hand of Jesus.   Why is this so?   Do we reach out hoping rather than believing, saying the words without expecting to see a change, or wavering because we are wondering what God’s will really is in the matter? In Christ, we have the overwhelming advantage in power and we need to recognize and use it.

Impact on Me

Many years ago, I read a pamphlet with extracts from a prayer warrior’s journal.  This is the one statement I remember.  “We don’t have to hold out against the devil.  He has to hold out against us!”  This changed the way I pray.  I began to understand the difference between the power of the enemy and the power of our God.  My pastor said that the difference in power is as if the devil is a microwave and God is the Sun.  I need to be reminded often because circumstances can seem like an avalanche – so sudden, heavy and unending!

“I Speak Jesus” is a song of war, one that reminds me that, because I am in Christ, I can step out and take the offense, have the courage to invade the Enemy’s camp and take back what he has stolen, be bold to wield the weapons of God to enforce the Enemy’s defeat by Jesus on the Cross, choose to continually live, walk, speak in the power and anointing of the name of Jesus.  “Your name is power – Your name is healing – Your name is life.  Break every stronghold – Shine through the shadows – Burn like a fire.”  There are days I feel ready, a fully armed and trained soldier, and others when I feel like I am still in basic training….

Devotion

Father, Almighty, Everlasting, All Powerful, All Merciful God, You deserve all praise and honor.  Who am I that You would adopt me as Your own, equip me to represent You, forgive me when I act like a coward or doubt Your faithfulness and ability to accomplish Your will?  I am so grateful for Your mercy when I fail by just saying the words of a prayer rather than bathing them in faith, believing for Your power to work out Your will.  I want to speak the name of Jesus with the same expectation Jesus had of Your response, Your power flowing.  To do so, I need to follow the example of Jesus to increase my intimacy with You and so to deepen my faith.  Help me choose to do so.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.

On The Sacrifice of Christmas

Luke 2:8-12 MSG  There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

HARK! The Herald Angels Sing (John Wesley/George Whitfield c. 1740)

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King, peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”  Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; with th’ angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb.  Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’ incarnate Deity, pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.  Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!  Hail the Sun of Righteousness!  Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.  Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give us second birth.  Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Observation

Side note:  This Christmas Carol is my favorite of them all.  It was written by John Wesley and modified by George Whitfield, two of the preachers instrumental in the Great Awakening, a revival in England and the American Colonies in the 1700’s, setting free the offer of salvation from denominational boundaries.   “God and sinners reconciled … Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give us second birth.”  They invited men and women to receive the free gift of salvation in spite of their theological differences

Back to the song….  “Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified.”  I think about these shepherds, the first strangers invited to the stable.  They were low on the Jewish value system – not chosen to continue in religious training, only fit to be out in the fields watching sheep, probably malodorous from infrequent bathing.  They certainly never expected to meet a king.  Perhaps they had enough religious training to expect Messiah to come as an adult – a great warrior king who would free them from Roman rule.  Yet, here they are bathed in blazing light and being told that the Messiah was a baby in a manger nearby in their own backwater town of Bethlehem.  I am sure they didn’t argue, but, when they recovered their senses, I wonder what they thought on the way to the stable.  Recognizing those at the top of the invitation list is worth noting.

Impact On Me

For me, Christmas is a time to recognize the sacrifice our Savior made from manger to the Cross.  He came as a baby so He could share in all we are and do, submitted to His parents and the other authority figures as He grew up, lived within the cultural rules of the day, and knew all that would be required of Him well before the Cross.  “Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled … Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’ incarnate Deity, pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel … Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give us second birth.”

This song always reminds me that our God was willing  to give it all to reconcile with me, with us.  It also reminds me that He was not in a hurry.  He didn’t just drop Jesus down as a fully grown man to start preaching and teaching.  He was not moved by the expectations of the warrior Messiah who would free Israel from the latest conqueror.  He gave Himself in the God/Man Jesus as a baby and waited until around 30 years to start His 3-year ministry – 33 years that modeled how to live in that reconciled state.  Christmas reminds me that the sacrifice started at His birth.

Devotion

“Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord … Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!  Hail the Sun of Righteousness! … Glory to the newborn King!”  You are all of these and more! In my life of worshipping You, Lord, never let me forget that You came to provide salvation, reconciliation and indwelling for whosoever will come – to include all humankind.  The first invitees to worship You were the lowliest on the social totem pole, the cast offs, the culturally insignificant.  You value every soul and desire to embrace – to reconcile – each one to relationship with You.  As I sing the songs and enjoy the warmth and joy of the Christmas season, may I never take Your sacrifice for granted – from manger to the Cross.  Make it so in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

On Bowing Low

Mark 10:43-45 ESV But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

John 13:1-5; 12-17 PHILLIPS 1-5 Before the festival of the Passover began, Jesus realised that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. He had loved those who were His own in this world and He loved them to the end. By supper-time, the devil had already put the thought of betraying Jesus in the mind of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son. Jesus, with the full knowledge that the Father had put everything into His hands and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from the supper-table, took off His outer clothes, picked up a towel and fastened it round His waist. Then He poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel around His waist….

12-17 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His clothes, He sat down and spoke to them, “Do you realise what I have just done to you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and you are quite right, for I am your teacher and your Lord. But if I, your teacher and Lord, have washed your feet, you must be ready to wash one another’s feet. I have given you this as an example so that you may do as I have done. Believe me, the servant is not greater than his master and the messenger is not greater than the man who sent him. Once you have realised these things, you will find your happiness in doing them.

Observation

The point of the Bible is to tell us Who God is and how He wants us to fit into His story and His plan for our redemption.  All of the passages are there to reveal Who He is, what He desires of us and for us, and how He responds to our choices.  Jesus the Christ, the manifestation of God in human form, called Himself “gentle (meek) and humble” (Matthew 11:28-30), defined servanthood as the path to pleasing God, and spoke of Himself as serving all of us by giving His life as a ransom for us all (God’s redemptive plan to restore the intimate relationship He desired with us and intended from the beginning).  In the passages above, Jesus demonstrates for His disciples the depth of humility to which they must stoop if they want to be like Him and considered great and first in God’s Kingdom.  Jesus had come to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah regarding the servanthood of Messiah (Isaiah 42:1-4, Matthew 12:16-21), the bowing low of God to redeem His creation, His people, so that He might restore the intimate relationship with us disrupted in the Garden of Eden.

Foot-washing was an important element of hospitality for the culture of the time as feet became dirty walking on dusty roads.  As important to hospitality as it was, the lowest, almost always Gentile, servants were the ones to do it.   When Jesus “took off his outer clothes, picked up a towel and fastened it round his waist,” He took on the persona of a menial foreign slave.  Disciples were supposed to serve their Master/Rabbi, not the other way around.  Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of Man, God, was demonstrating the kind of humility and servanthood He required of them to truly be one of His disciples.  “But if I, your teacher and Lord, have washed your feet, you must be ready to wash one another’s feet. I have given you this as an example so that you may do as I have done.”  

Did you catch that He washed ALL of the disciples’ feet – including the feet of Judas who was about to betray Him?  This level of humility requires more than setting pride aside temporarily.  This level of humility requires complete surrender, total submission to the will and purpose of God Who does not want any to perish (2 Peter 3:9).   This was a powerful discipleship lesson which was apparently caught and embraced as His disciples later identified themselves as servants (or slaves) of God and committed even to die in His service – John (Rev. 1:1), Paul (1 Cor 3:5-6), Peter (2 Peter 1:1), James (James 1:1), Jude (Jude 1:1). 

Impact on Me

Merriam Webster defines “humble” as “not proud: not thinking of yourself as better than other people.”   A servant is simply one who serves others.  Servant in the New Testament is often translated as slave.  We don’t like that word as it has a bad taste in our historical context.  The position Jesus took above was as low as He could go in His culture.  What is the lowest I can go in service today – an unpaid volunteer in homeless ministry, serving orphans in a foreign land, working to change the lives of the poorest so they can have a better future?  I know people who do all these and will never have any recognition on earth but much treasure in heaven.

I have participated in foot-washing services and it is a very humbling experience.  However, this passage is not meant to tell me how important foot-washing services are, but, rather, that I need to be willing to set aside my pride and any status provided by my position to gladly and humbly serve those who have nothing to give me in return.  Jesus is demonstrating to me (and us all) the kind of humility and service I am to emulate if I want to be like Him in this day and age. Jesus is showing me that it’s not a sign of weakness to serve someone — it’s a sign of love, strength and humility – all treasures in His kingdom.  Jesus is saying to me, “Don’t view yourself as better than other people – even your enemy – for I died for him/her, too.”   This is a hard lesson to embrace and live.

Devotion

Father God, You are Love and created us in Your image.  You rule over the universe and yet still bowed so low to redeem me. You gave Jesus to walk this earth as a human to show us how to live in and for You.  I am humbled by how lowly Jesus bowed, how much He sacrificed, to restore intimacy between us.  I am woefully inconsistent in my attempts to emulate Jesus’ example.  However, I pray that as I find each new pocket of pride, You will, by Your Holy Spirit, help me to place that pride on Your altar to be burnt up.  I truly want to be more like Jesus day by day as I journey through this life.  Make it so, Lord, in Jesus’ name. 

On The Things to Dwell On

Philippians 4:6-8 NASB.  6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Philippians 4:6-8 NLT. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Philippians 4:6-8 MSG. 6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.  8 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

Philippians 4:6-8 VOICE. 6 Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. 7 And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.  8 Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy.

Observation

Philippi was a Roman military colony on the Egnatian Road, the main road between Rome and Byzantium (modern day Istanbul, Turkey).  This community of Christians (mostly converted Gentiles) faced struggles from inside and out that seriously undermined their peace.  The predominant religion was the Roman Caesar as God and Savior.  There were also those within the Christian community that preached the necessity to follow Jewish practices, such as circumcision, to “seal” their commitment to Christ. 

At this time Nero was Caesar, a ruler infamous for using humans as torches to light the road or as fodder for animals to tear apart for gruesome “entertainment” in the arena.  It is remarkable to note that Paul is writing this warm, transparent and engaging letter of encouragement while imprisoned in Rome waiting to see this same Caesar face-to-face. Truly, Paul is speaking from his own experience in how to dwell in that peace that passes all understanding despite every challenge, circumstance and fear.   I am an encourager, so I love the Book of Philippians. What Paul says in this passage is really part of the bottom line of any encouraging message and hearkens back for me to Joshua’s challenge to “choose this day whom you will serve.”  

These passages written during treacherous times issue the same challenge to choose your Master.  We can serve the Enemy and focus on the fearful, painful, unjust, despicable, ungodly, ugly and cruel and allow ourselves to be overwhelmed or discouraged by them OR we can choose to serve the One True God and imitate Paul as he imitates Christ – don’t waste time worrying, pray instead, putting all in God’s hands, resting in the peace that He has it all under control.  It is our opportunity to put the cost to us in His hands AND choose “filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” 

Impact on Me

I must confess that this current political season and secular culture are presenting me with an in-your-face opportunity to choose which way I respond to these verses.  The politics seem so caustic, so partisan, so ugly.  The culture around me seems to be worshipping the ungodly, the superficial, the pursuit of pleasure, self-adoration and acquisition.  But, how different is this society, this culture, from the one at the time these words were written?  The Emperor Nero is the definition of absolute power absolutely corrupted; the Roman society stands even today as one of the most decadent and depraved of all time.  Yet, Paul instructs the Philippians to remember that, while we are to be good citizens of our earthly country, we are really citizens of Heaven, subjects of the King of Kings, servants of the Lord of Lords and responsible ultimately to Him alone for our conduct, our choices. 

Paul is teaching me (and us all) how to be good and faithful servants of our true Master regardless of what earthly masters or leaders may do. Our God sets up leaders and takes down leaders to serve His will and purpose, to orchestrate history as He has planned. He also sets His people, His servants, in the midst of darkness to provide the light of Christ as a means out of the darkness into the eternal light of His salvation.  Why should I be surprised at the darkness that surrounds/encroaches us?  Isn’t this my opportunity to be a means of rescue for those who know nothing but darkness, who embrace it as a hiding place or the only safe place for them? 

If I take up Paul’s challenge to pray, put my trust in my God and remember and meditate “on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse”, I will be encouraged to see myself as part of the unending string of lights that extends throughout the world and all history, bringing escape for the lost through faith, hope, peace, joy, redemption, restoration, healing, mercy, grace and love that drives back the darkness – regardless of how dark, overwhelming or pervasive the darkness may appear.

Devotion

Lord God, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, the One Who is Never Surprised or Dismayed, forgive me for allowing myself to be discouraged by what I see and hear, causing me to feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of circumstances.  I never want to doubt You, Your ability to effect change, Your power to fulfill Your eternal plan and purpose. Let me forget to complain, despair, and worry because I am overwhelmed with Your presence, with gratitude for Your grace, Your mercy, Your blessings, Your love. Constantly remind me to look to You, to present myself before You to pray and believe for what appears impossible, to seek out Your presence and Your word as instruction to me, to be content with where You set me to shine, so I may always be Your encouragement to those who are lost, struggling, defeated or discouraged. I pray this all in the name of Jesus. Make it so.