Seek | Do | Teach

Understanding the Old Testament

2009-10-02T07:01:00.001-07:00

Help people understand that God of the Old Testament is the same as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Help understand the wrath and judgment which stands out and causes difficulty.

Journaling Tips

2009-07-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Pick the best time for you. Choose the time of day when you're at your best and that will work best for your schedule.

Pick a place. If you have a certain place where you read and respond to God's Word, it will help establish the habit.

Stay on schedule. If you miss a few readings, you're probably better off picking up with the current reading rather than trying to catch up. This way you're never behind and you're reading the same thing as everyone else on that day. If you're having a hard time keeping up, start out with the First Steps or Youth journal, both of which have abbreviated reading schedules.

Tell a friend. Share your insights with a friend. You'll reinforce the lesson to yourself and encourage someone else.

Ask yourself questions. When you apply the scripture to your life, turn the Scripture and your observations into questions. When Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers," you can ask yourself things like, "Where do I need peace in my life?" "With whom am I at odds?"
"What relationships in my life need some fence-mending?"

Use tags. I find it helpful to mark the sections of my daily journaling. I use a letter with a box around it for each section: "S" for Scripture, "O" for observations, "A" for application, and "P" for prayer.

Choose writing over reading, if you must. If time will keep you from doing all the reading and writing in your journal, do less of the reading and make sure to write about it. Pick some lesser amount of the day's reading--one chapter, just Old Testament, or just New Testament. Then go through the journaling process based on what you've read. This way you are doing both important parts of the journaling process: reading and responding. The ultimate issue is not how much information you take in, it's how your life will be different because of what you read. Journaling your response prompts life change.

"Wholehearted" Message Series Idea

2009-05-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Our church's mission is to encourage and equip wholehearted followers of Jesus Christ. What does that look like?

Finances
Relationships
Marriage
Serving
Etc.

"The Principle of the Path" Message Series Idea (Andy Stanley)

2009-05-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Andy Stanley. The Big Idea: Direction, not intention, determines where you'll end up.

"Defining Moments" Message Series Idea (Andy Stanley)

2009-05-01T09:14:00.001-07:00

This message series examines various people's encounters with Jesus. I just listened to the one about the paralytic who was let down through the roof to be healed by Jesus. The Big Idea: Sometimes our most pressing need is not our most important need. Jesus forgives his sins (most important) before healing him (most pressing).

"Ticket please"

2009-03-13T03:15:00.000-07:00

This might require some tweaking before presenting to a New England audience, but it's a funny story that could illustrate frugality and ingenuity.

ONE MORNING 3 ALABAMA GOOD OLD BOYS AND 3 YANKEES WERE IN A TICKET LINE AT THE BIRMINGHAM TRAIN STATION HEADING TO ATLANTA FOR A BIG FOOTBALL GAME.

THE 3 NORTHERNERS EACH BOUGHT A TICKET AND WATCHED AS THE 3 SOUTHERNERS BOUGHT JUST ONE TICKET AMONG THEM.

"HOW ARE THE 3 OF YOU GOING TO TRAVEL ON ONE 1 TICKET?" ASKED ONE OF THE YANKEES.

"WATCH AND LEARN" ANSWERED ONE OF THE BOYS FROM THE SOUTH.

WHEN THE 6 TRAVELERS BOARDED THE TRAIN, THE 3 YANKEES SAT DOWN, BUT THE 3 SOUTHERNERS CRAMMED INTO A BATHROOM TOGETHER AND CLOSED THE DOOR.

SHORTLY AFTER THE TRAIN DEPARTED, THE CONDUCTOR CAME AROUND TO COLLECT TICKETS. HE KNOCKED ON THE BATHROOM DOOR AND SAID, "TICKETS PLEASE."

THE DOOR OPENED JUST A CRACK AND A SINGLE ARM EMERGED WITH A TICKET IN HAND. THE CONDUCTOR TOOK IT AND MOVED ON.

THE YANKEES SAW THIS HAPPEN AND AGREED IT WAS QUITE A CLEVER IDEA. INDEED, SO CLEVER THAT THEY DECIDED TO DO THE SAME THING ON THE RETURN TRIP AND SAVE SOME MONEY.

THAT EVENING AFTER THE GAME WHEN THEY GOT TO THE ATLANTA TRAIN STATION, THEY BOUGHT A SINGLE TICKET FOR THE RETURN TRIP WHILE TO THEIR ASTONISHMENT THE 3 SOUTHERNERS DIDN'T BUY EVEN 1 TICKET.

"HOW ARE YOU GOING TO TRAVEL WITHOUT A TICKET?" ASKED ONE OF THE PERPLEXED YANKEES.

"WATCH AND LEARN", ANSWERED ONE OF THE SOUTHERN BOYS.

WHEN THEY BOARDED THE TRAIN THE 3 NORTHERNERS CRAMMED THEMSELVES INTO A BATHROOM AND THE 3 SOUTHERNERS CRAMMED THEMSELVES INTO THE OTHER BATHROOM ACROSS FROM IT.

SHORTLY AFTER THE TRAIN BEGAN TO MOVE, ONE OF THE SOUTHERNERS LEFT THEIR BATHROOM AND WALKED QUIETLY OVER TO THE YANKEE'S BATHROOM. HE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND SAID, "TICKET PLEASE".

Ephesians 4:29 (TNIV)

2009-03-09T03:38:00.000-07:00

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29 (TNIV)

Proverbs 21:20 (NIV)

2009-03-09T03:29:00.000-07:00

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil,
but a foolish man devours all he has.

Proverbs 21:20 (NIV)

Whose cookies are they?

2009-02-14T17:10:00.000-08:00

I'm teaching on stewardship tomorrow. Here's a story I'll include. Here's how Josh Hunt relates the story as told by John Ortberg.

This is something I read in a theological journal called The Reader’s Digest:

A traveler between flights in an airport went to a lounge and bought a small package of cookies. Then she sat down and began reading a newspaper. Gradually, she became aware of a rustling noise from behind her paper. She was flabbergasted to see a neatly dressed man helping himself to her cookies. Not wanting to make a scene, she leaned over and took a cookie herself.

A minute or two passed and then came more rustling. He was helping himself to another cookie! By this time they had come to the end of the package, but she was so angry she did not dare allow herself to say anything. Then, as if to add insult to injury, the man broke the final remaining cookie in two, pushed half across to her, ate the other half and left.

Still fuming some time later when her flight was announced, the woman opened her handbag to get her ticket. To her shocking embarrassment, there she found her pack of unopened cookies.

Whoops. Coming to grips with “Whose Cookies Are They?” That changes everything, doesn’t it?

Here’s where we are a little confused. From the age of about two on, “Whose cookies are they?” The Psalmist was very clear on this. Let’s read these words together:

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)

The earth is the Lord’s and what in it? Everything. What’s left out of that word? Not much. God’s cookies. God’s house. God’s clothes. God’s IRA. God’s car. God’s body. It’s all God’s Stuff.

If you would like to listen to or read John Ortberg's whole sermon, go to http://www.mppcfamily.org. Find the sermons. Work your way back to 2/18/07. Find the sermon called, "Settling the ownership issue."

"Eternal Questions from the Prophets" Message Series Idea

2009-02-14T06:11:00.000-08:00

Is It Over? Eternal Questions from the Prophets
Overview sermons from the Minor Prophets
Series Preacher: Mark Dever
Sept 21 Does God Have Enemies?
Sept 28 Can You Run From God?
Oct 19 What Does God Want?
Nov 9 Who’s in Charge?
Nov 16 How Can I Be Happy?
Nov 23 What’s There to be Thankful For?
Nov 30 Are Your Investments Sound?
Dec 7 Does God Give Second Chances?
Dec 14 Does it Matter How I Worship God?

Sept 21 Does God Have Enemies?
The Message of Obadiah

Sept 28 Can You Run From God?
The Message of Jonah

Oct 19 What Does God Want?
The Message of Micah

Nov 9 Who’s in Charge?
The Message of Nahum

Nov 16 How Can I Be Happy?
The Message of Habakkuk

Nov 23 What’s There to be Thankful For?
The Message of Zephaniah

Nov 30 Are Your Investments Sound?
The Message of Haggai

Dec 7 Does God Give Second Chances?
The Message of Zechariah

Dec 14 Does it Matter How I Worship God?
The Message of Malachi

Bring an offering

2009-02-02T06:18:00.000-08:00

No one may appear before me without an offering. -- Exodus 34.20

Two aspects of this requirement hit me:

A sacrifice is necessary. We can't appear before God on our own merits.
There is an appropriateness to bringing a gift whenever we appear before the Lord. He gives us everything. It is appropriate to bring him something.

For some time I try to give an offering whenever the opportunity presents itself. Even if it's not my church. Even if I've already given. It protects my heart against greed and ingratitude.

Father, thank you for providing the Sacrifice for our sins, so that we may come before you. Give us grateful hearts even in times of difficulty and lack. XP Amen.

Which way do you run?

2009-01-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what God thinks of you when you fail? When I blow it, I'm not eager to see the one I've disappointed.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a disappointing son. He's selfish. He's greedy. He's besmirched the family name. When he sees his father again, his father throws ... a punch? No; a party!

Here's the father explaining his response to the prodigal's older brother. It's Luke 15.4 (TNIV):

"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!"

If you've blown it, and you're avoiding your Heavenly Father, don't! The only thing that would disappoint him is if you stayed away.

We'd disappoint ourselves a lot less if every time we blew it, we ran into the arms of our forgiving Heavenly Father. He celebrates every single returning son.

What is Life Journaling?

2009-01-13T04:38:00.000-08:00

Life Journaling is a process for reading and responding to God's Word, the Bible, on a daily basis.

The primary tool is a "Life Journal" which includes a Bible reading plan and a process to help you hear from God on your own. At our church we make available notebooks which include the reading plan, explain the process, and is mostly blank sheets for your journaling.

Here's the process, which forms the acronym SOAP.

Scripture After reading a section of Scripture, pick out a verse that sums up the thought of the passage or particularly speaks to you. Write this verse in your Life Journal. This answers the question “What does it say?”
Observation Write your observations on the text. Note the context, setting, people, etc. Play C.S.I. with the text. You’re answering the question, “What is it saying?”
Application Now you make application to your life. How does this passage relate to your life and circumstances? Ask yourself questions based on the text. Your goal is to address the question, “What is it saying to me?”
Prayer Now turn the topic into a prayer. Express your faith, make a request, give thanks. Answer the question, based on what I've just read “What do I need to say to God?”

Life Journals are available Sunday mornings at Cornerstone.
Life Journals are available online here.
Today's Bible reading is always here.
Life Journaling examples, tips and explanations from my personal life are here.

Build a forest with your trees

2009-01-10T06:35:00.000-08:00

But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken away from her." -- Luke 10.41-42

The details and the one thing. The big picture and the brush strokes. The forest and the trees.

I am a detail person. This is a good thing. But I must also know what is the one thing, the forest which the trees are forming.

As I go through my day, may I be living with focus, purpose, effectiveness. I will ask, "How does this thing contribute to the big thing?"

Good Word for Today: Look ahead!

2009-01-09T05:57:00.000-08:00

Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God." -- Luke 9:62 TNIV

Regrets. We all got 'em. But the one who looks back while plowing makes a mess of the future.

Here Jesus emphasizes the radical, immediate nature of the invitation to discipleship. He says, in essence, "No, you can't go home!" He may have appeared insensitive. He was being practical and wise. He knows the one looking back makes a mess of the future.

Where have you been regretting the past? Instead, look ahead. The future will have fewer regrets.

Rights and what's right

2009-01-05T07:09:00.000-08:00

Don’t confuse what you got a right to do with what’s right to do.

Bill Bennet (h/t Jay Nordlinger)

"Guiding Lights" Message Series Idea

2009-01-05T06:30:00.000-08:00

Build a series favorite, most useful, insights and principles from the Scriptures. For example:

Everyone who is a child of God is led by God. You are being led by God if you are a child of God, whether you feel like you are being led, and whether or not you understand how you are being led. You can have confidence because of God's promise.
Seek first. Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness .... etc.

Hook, line and prophet!

2009-01-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

In response to a request after my message series on Jonah, I Googled a bit on the historicity of Jonah. There is actually extrabiblical evidence not just for being swallowed by a BIG Fish, but for Jonah himself!

"In the 3rd Century B.C., a Babylonian priest/historian named Berosus wrote of a mythical creature named Oannes who, according to Berosus, emerged from the sea to give divine wisdom to men. Scholars generally identify this mysterious fish-man as an avatar of the Babylonian water-god Ea (also known as Enki). The curious thing about Berosus’ account is the name that he used: Oannes ...

Keep reading "Was Jonah truly swallowed by a whale?"

"help + hope + insight" Message Series Idea (Crown)

2008-12-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

Available from Crown Financial Ministries ...

As a complimentary resource to pastors and churches, the Pastor’s Survival Kit is a downloadable digital resource providing 3 sermons that will encourage and inspire your church members to seek God first during times of uncertainty or instability.

I found my favorite presentation remote!

2008-12-03T09:27:00.000-08:00

This Interlink RemotePoint Navigator is the best remote for using PowerPoint (or the like) when I preach. I can even have it in my pocket and advance the slides with a subtle touch from outside the pocket. Solid, but not too small. Others I've used are too light or too flimsy.

I had lost it months ago and Suellen just found it under the bed!

"Making Mondays Count" Message Series Idea (New Hope)

2008-11-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

Making Mondays Count is a series from New Hope in Hawaii.

In this series, we will focus on the importance of how our faith is lived out, not how our faith is "believed." It's taking our faith beyond Sunday discussions and past weekend services. Our faith is only as credible as the life we live on Mondays.

I have been thinking about a series that would address how we apply our faith to various aspects of life. This theme is a creative approach.

One of our tag lines at Cornerstone has been "You'll get something on Sunday you can use on Monday." The "making Mondays count" theme fits well with our church's overall relevance theme.

Jonah

2008-11-26T06:05:00.000-08:00

This will be the first post in a new category: message series ideas. I've had a file for these, but putting it on a blog seems to be an easy way to reference it when I need it and will be a benefit for others as well.

I hope you'll use the comments section to add to the list.

"Jonah" is a series at LifeChurch.tv's "Open" resource. LifeChurch posts all their graphics, transcripts, videos, etc., et al free for other churches to use. If you haven't seen it before, you should really check it out.

I'm looking for a series to lead into Christmas, and I was thinking something with an evangelism theme. This led me back to Jonah.

See "Jonah" at LifeChurch.tv

Update: Used this leading into Christmas 2009.

Success

2008-10-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

Success is the ability to move from one failure to the next with enthusiasm. -- Winston Churchill

(h/t lifehack.org)

One church, many locations

2008-09-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

When the vision for Cornerstone started to coalesce, I came across a phenomenon that was just beginning to show up on the church landscape: the multi-site church; one church with locations, campuses or services in multiple locations.

At first, I found it hard to get my mind around the concept. The easiest way I've found to explain it is to compare it to multiple services. Most people are familiar with a church with two or more services on a Sunday morning, allowing them to accommodate more people than would just once service. A multi-site church does the same kind of thing, but instead of multiple services in the same room, the services may be in different locations as well.

I also wondered about the reason for it. Why not just have multiple churches? Now I believe the multi-site church blends the best of the large and small church experiences. Large churches tend to have better leadership, more ministries and greater volunteer and financial resources. Small churches have greater intimacy and locality. A multi-site church combines the best of both worlds.

Most multi-site churches are developing in larger metropolitan areas (although there are notable exceptions). I have always thought the concept had great potential for New Hampshire and have seen our Concord Cornerstone congregation as a logical hub for a multi-site church reaching into north-central New Hampshire. Many communities in our state need a vibrant church presence. Perhaps God has in mind for us to be a part of that solution for that need.

If you want to know more about the motivations and variety of multi-site churches, and want insight into the long-term thinking for Cornerstone, I suggest The Multi-Site Church Revolution.

Original or nothing

2008-09-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Appropriately, a quote:

Let's be honest. No one is ever completely original. The guy who says, "I'm going to be original or nothing," will end up being both! Harry Truman used to say, "I use all the brains I've got and then I borrow all the best brains I can find." And the brilliant Charles Spurgeon once said, "The man who never reads will never be read. He who never quotes will never be quoted! And he who will not use the thoughts of other men's brains proves he has no brains of his own!"

Who said it? Rick Warren

How to memorize Scripture

2008-05-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a process I came up with that I recently gave to my kids who are required to memorize verses, chapters and sometimes other material (historical speeches) as part of their school curriculum.

Write. Write the verse on the front of an index card and the reference and version on the reverse.
Repeat. Say the verse out loud emphasizing the first word of the verse. "Love the Lord your God ..." As you emphasize the word, think about its meaning in the context of the verse. Then say the verse out loud emphasizing the second word. "Love the Lord your God ..." Keep doing this until you've emphasized each word in the verse, pulling out the shades of meaning each time. Don't forget to say the reference each time you say the verse.
Recall. In a notebook (like a Life Journal) write the verse including the reference as you say it out loud until you can say it word-perfectly.
Review. Beginning with day/verse two, pull out the index card(s) from the previous days' work and use them as flash cards to review the verses. (If you're learning a chapter, speech or other contiguous section, review the cards in order.)

Using this process, our son memorized Isaiah 53 (not a short or easy passage) in less than 24 hours!

Look for parallels

2008-05-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

This week I'm blogging tips and tricks that have helped me get more out of my daily Bible reading and Life Journaling. This is part 5 of 5.

Here's another tip that will help you figure out how to apply what you're reading in the Bible to your life: look for parallels between your life and the situation in the Bible.

For example, just about everyone gets bogged down somewhere in Numbers. Lots of begatting. Lots of unfamiliar place references. Lots of ... numbers. In one such passage (I really don't remember if it was in Numbers or not) it was chapters upon chapters of place references laying out the boundaries for the ancient tribes of Israel.

This was as exciting as going to your town office and reading the title deeds.

So I'm asking God, "Why is this included in the Bible?" And, "What can I learn from this?"

I then realized that the reason it was important to clearly and specifically state the property boundaries of the tribes was so that there would be no dispute later. Clear boundaries prevent misunderstandings and disputes.

Then I could ask myself, how is my situation similar to theirs? In other words, what are the parallels? I came up with that when we start something new--a new project, a new arrangement, a new role--that it is important to state the boundaries--the expectations, the responsibilities, the rewards--clearly and up front. Doing so prevents misunderstandings and disputes.

By finding a way that my situation could be similar to theirs, I was able to find a significant application to my life today from what at first blush appeared to me to be a dry and meaningless passage.

What to apply the Bible to your life? Find the parallel between the situation you're reading about and the life situation you're in right now.

Turn your title into a question

2008-05-08T07:24:00.000-07:00

This week I'm blogging tips and tricks that have helped me get more out of my daily Bible reading and Life Journaling. This is part 4 of 5.

Yesterday I encourage you to title your notebook entries. Today I'm encouraging you to turn that title into a question that will keep you thinking about and applying the truth of God's word all day long.

For example, one of the recent titles from my notebook that I gave yesterday was "Do everything at the proper time." A good question would be, "What needs to be done today to be on God's timetable?" There are some tasks that can wait. For others, today is the proper time.

By writing this question at the bottom of my journal entry for the day, I keep the central point of application in front of me for the whole day. And that's what I usually try to do: I write the question at the bottom of the page, put a box around it, and then keep it somewhere where I'll see it through the day. (For me, that's on my desk.)

Turn your main idea into an application question and you'll live it out the whole day long.

Title your notebook entries

2008-05-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

This week I'm blogging tips and tricks that have helped me get more out of my daily Bible reading and Life Journaling. This is part 3 of 5.

Give your Journal entry a title that states the main idea of how God spoke to you through the scripture.

For a long time I avoided this step. It was a bother. I was glad just to get through the SOAP process, and my brain was too tired to come up with a good title. I had excuses.

Then I would look back through my notebook and see lots of writing, but I couldn't really tell you what God was saying to me on a particular day unless I reread and reviewed it.

Then I started titling the notebook entries. Now with a glance at the title I can recall the essence of that day's writing. By thumbing through my notebook I can get a sense of the pattern of God's voice in my life recently. By forcing myself to come up with a title, I was forced to clarify the impressions I was getting from the day's reading, so the message was clear.

How has God been speaking to you lately? Is there a pattern to his voice lately? A quick glance at your Life Journal notebook titles would tell you.

Here are some tips to make it work well:

Narrow it down to one idea. You need focus. That's why they recommend picking only one verse to focus on. What is God saying to you through the Scriptures today? Here are some recent titles from my Journal:

Do everything at the proper time.
Go on the assumption that God will provide for your needs.
Obey from the heart.
There's freedom in submission.
God is the source of victory.

Choose clear over cute. Some pastors come up with really cute titles for their sermons. Don't follow their example in your notebook. You want to clearly understand what the journal entry is about from one glance at the title, not impress yourself with your own wit.
Choose clear over obscure, generic and meaningless. "The wise steward" tells me nothing. "Be wise" tells me nothing. In today's reading, the wise steward gives the servants their food at the proper time; that is how he is wise. "Do everything at the proper time" tells me something about how to be wise.

Title your entries to get the most out of your time.

Ask yourself questions to get applications

2008-05-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

This week I'm blogging tips and tricks that have helped me get more out of my daily Bible reading and Life Journaling. This is part 2 of 5.

Sometimes after I pick the scripture verse on which to focus, although it is meaningful to me, the application to my life is not always immediately apparent. For example, I agree that we should seek first the kingdom of God (Mt 6.33), but how does that get lived out in my today, right now?

When the application is not immediately apparent, I begin the application stage by simply asking myself questions. Today I picked Mt 23.5, "Everything they do is done for people to see ..." My application section began with questions:

Where is there inconsistency? Doing something for show? To be seen by other people? Emphasis on the outward appearance rather than the heart?

By asking myself questions, I get myself thinking. Writing the questions out focuses my thoughts. And usually the application to my life in the here and now pops.

Not sure how to apply the Bible to your life? Start asking yourself questions!

God is the hero of every story

2008-05-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

This week I'm blogging tips and tricks that have helped me get more out of my daily Bible reading and Life Journaling. This is part 1 of 5.

Often when I read a narrative in the Bible, I would notice that some of the people who are supposed to be Biblical heroes do some pretty unheroic things. For example, David, the "man after God's own heart" commits adultery with Bathsheba and has her husband killed to cover it up. (Did you know Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, was one of 30 in David's rag-tag band of brothers from way back before he became king? Talk about betrayal!)

Maybe you've notice something that a Biblical "hero" does and you wonder, "How can God approve of this person?" It doesn't make sense.

Then someone pointed out to me that God is the hero of every story in the Bible. Yes, sometimes people do heroic things. But then they turn around and do some pretty stupid, ungodly things too. If we focus on the people, we'll get confused. If we recognize God's faithfulness, goodness, patience, etc. with people who are undependable at best, we'll get what the Bible is saying to us.

So next time you read a passage where some "good" person does something bad, stupid or evil, remember, you're not supposed to exalt the person. Look for God's heroic faithfulness, forgiveness, goodness and mercy in the midst. Then you'll get what the Bible is saying, and your focus will be on the One who is always heroic.

Freedom in submission

2008-05-03T05:17:00.000-07:00

This week I've been posting entries from Life Journal. This is the last in the series.

Next week I'll begin a series of posts on tips for Life Journaling. See you Monday!

Scripture
Ps 2.3-4a (TNIV) "Let us break off their chains and throw off their shackles." The One enthroned in heaven laughs.

Observation
This Psalm accentuates the futility of struggling against God's rule. It reminds me of Andy Stanley's statement of the Biblical principle that the greatest freedom is found under God's authority.

The rulers of the nations are quoted in vs. 3. They are tired of living under God's authority. God is not threatened. He laughs.

The Psalm ends with the affirmation that those who take refuge in God and his Anointed are blessed, but those who cast off his rule are placing themselves on a collision course with destruction.

Application
I see a lot of this in our world: people, trying to exercise and experience the greatest freedom possible, cast off God and his rule. They do what seems best to them, even knowing the contrast with what God says. It always leads to destruction.

Not because God is up there waiting to pounce on people. But because God is a loving Father who knows how the world he set up works. You can't defy God anymore than you can defy the law of gravity. In doing so, you only get hurt.

Finances are a good example. When we reject God's principles for handling money, we lose. Sex. Relationships. Business. Government. Science. All of the above.

So how can I bring my life under God's authority more? Where are there principles that I know but am not living out?

Prayer
Father, help me to show through my example and teaching (1) how futile it is to reject your rule--your principles are the way the world works--and (2) how much freedom is found in submission to authority.

How can I bring more of my life under God's authority and thus bring myself into greater freedom?

XP Amen.

2008-05-02T06:20:00.001-07:00

At the end of my Life Journal prayers, you'll see "XP Amen." What is that?

Since I was little I've always heard people end their prayers with "In Jesus name, Amen." This is based on Jesus' teaching that we should make our requests in his name. This exhortation is found multiple times in John 14-16.

It is not a magic formula. It is not an incantation that assures we'll get what we pray for.

It is an acknowledgment that we come to God on the basis of what Jesus has done, on his merits not ours.

It acknowledges that we are surrendered to his will, that our prayers will be answered when they line up with his will; that we trust they'll be ignored if they run contrary to his will (and be glad of it).

So we pray in Jesus' name. XP is my shortcut for "In Jesus' name."

Early in the Church's history, chi and ro, the first two Greek letters in the word for Christ, were put together to form a Christian symbol. A chi looks like an X and the ro looks like a P.

Chi ro, XP, "In Jesus name." Amen.

Remember the past and wait for his plan to unfold

2008-05-02T06:03:00.000-07:00

Scripture
Ps 106.13 (TNIV) But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold.

Observation
Ps 106 appears to have been written during the exile. Israel's rebellious history is recounted beginning with the Exodus. Vs. 13 is describing their actions immediately following their dramatic salvation at the Red Sea. They had seen God's power, but they quickly forgot.

"In the desert they gave into their craving ..." (vs. 14) They forgot and became impulsive and impatient.

Application
"Wait for his plan to unfold." This tells me he has a plan. We need self-control and self-discipline (fruits of the Spirit) to see his plan unfold.

This also tells me his plan not always immediately apparent, and not apparent all at once. It unfolds. It takes time to see his big picture. We see it only as it unfolds--and can be content with that. We don't need to see and comprehend (and approve!) of the whole plan.

He has a plan. We must wait for it to unfold. Don't get ahead. Don't give into the cravings and impulses of the moment.

Prayer
Father, thank you that you are good and faithful even when faced with the sinfulness and unfaithfulness of your people.

Help me not get ahead of you. As I go through my day, point out places in my life where I need to remember your past faithfulness and wait for your plan to unfold. XP Amen.

What do I need to remember today so that I can wait until tomorrow?

Comprehension of mercy increases capacity for forgiveness

2008-05-01T05:26:00.000-07:00

Scripture
Mt 18.33 (TNIV) Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?

Observation
This chapter deals with how we are supposed to relate to one another, particularly in the body of Christ.

Jesus starts out by bringing a small child in front of his disciples and setting him as the example of those who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

We are not to cause others to stumble. (vs. 6-9) We should go after those who go astray. (10-14) We should seek to reconcile with those who injure us. (15-20) We are to forgive one another, as God has forgiven us. (21-35)

In the parable of the unmerciful servant, sins are likened to a financial debt. Our debt with God, like the servant's with his master, is overwhelming. He could never repay it. But it is forgiven.

Our offenses with one another, in comparison are trivial. Since God has said, "you don't owe me anymore," for our overwhelming debt to him, we say to our brothers, "you don't owe me any more either."

I think the key to this passage and to the forgiveness it requires of us is a recognition of how great a debt we've been forgiven. This is similar to Jesus' statement that he who has been forgiven little loves little, and the one who has been forgiven much loves much. (Lk 7.47)

Our capacity to forgive and love increases as we comprehend the love and forgiveness we've been granted at the cross.

Application
How can I increase my comprehension of God's love and forgiveness towards me (and in doing so increase my capacity to love and forgive)?

Retail confession of sin in prayer makes me aware of God's forgiveness.

Consistent exposure to the Word of God increases my capacity to recognize sin in my life.

These ways of focusing on sin, rather than being depressing and discouraging, are instead liberating because before I'm even aware of sin, I know forgiveness is mine in Christ. And confession is part of the cleansing process. (1Jn 1.9) I come clean. Like a shower after a day of working in the yard.

Prayer
Father, please give us a greater awareness of the forgiveness and love we have in Christ. Increase our capacity for forgiveness and love. Help those who are struggling to forgive to recognize the love they've undeservedly been shown. Share your capacity for love and forgiveness with them to make up for what they lack. Keep bitterness and resentment far from us. May this be the day that many say to another, "You don't owe me anymore." XP Amen.

Where can I come clean today and become more loving in the process?

Who daily bears our burden

2008-04-30T04:51:00.000-07:00

Scripture
Ps 68.19 (TNIV) Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Observation
God is our Savior. Where do we need rescue? He bears our burdens daily. Not every once in a while. Not (just) on Sundays.

Specific burdens are mentioned. Being fatherless. The defenseless (widows). The lonely. Prisoners. (vs. 5-6)

The imagery of the Psalm is that of a victory procession, of a conquering king returning from war. But it is the common and downtrodden who get the spoils. The Lord is the king. Opposing kings and armies flee in haste.

Reversal was a key theme of Jesus' teaching about the Kingdom of God. The last will be first. Those who mourn, the hungry, the poor (physically and spiritually) are the benefactors.

Application
What burdens do I need to take to the Lord? What worries for the day do I need to lay down at his feet? Doing so should be a part of my daily habit--"who daily bears our burdens."

Another key theme of Jesus' teaching was the needlessness and futility of worry. What am I worried about today? I need not. I can cast my cares upon the Lord, because he cares for us.

Additionally, we are to bear one another's burdens. If I am so consumed with my issues, I won't have bandwidth to be aware of the needs around me, let alone help someone bear them.

Prayer
Father, please help me to discipline myself to unload cares and concerns to you; to not demonstrate a lack of faith by clinging to worries and concerns. Make me carefree in the best sense of the word. And let me be care-aware of those around me. Selfless. Others-centered. Bearing others burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ. XP Amen.

What burdens can I unload on you today?

For the sake of His people

2008-04-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

Scripture
2Sa 5.12 (TNIV) And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

Observation
David had conquered Jerusalem. Saul, his son Jonathan, and Saul's grandson Ishbosheth are all dead. The tribes of Israel have covenanted with David to be their king. Hiram, king of neighboring Tyre, has built a palace for him. He has success in battle. But David never loses sight that ...

It is the LORD who established his kingdom, not himself, and
his success was not given to benefit himself, but for the benefit of the people of the LORD.

Application
Any success or influence God gives is his doing, not ours. And he gives it for the benefit of those around us. We can use our lives to provide ...

Encouragement; say encouraging words
Appreciation; say "Thank you"
Faith; express confidence in others' abilities and wisdom.

Prayer
Father, please use me to bless the people around me today. Make us good stewards of the influence you give us. Help your people to recognize and leverage their influence and resources for your Kingdom. XP Amen.

How do you want to benefit the people around me through me today?

Tribal warriors for the Kingdom

2008-04-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

Scripture
1Ch 11.22 (NLT) Day after day more men joined David until he had a great army, like the army of God.

Observation
Every day more warriors were joining David's army. The scriptures list large numbers. They were coming from all over Israel. The were the leaders of their tribes. They were skilled.

David's refusal to strike Saul directly is striking. David trusted God to do what needed to be done and felt no compulsion to take things into his own hand. Slowly but surely the support for Saul eroded from beneath him and filled in under David.

Application
If God is in an endeavor, as with David who had been anointed king by Samuel at God's command, He will bring the support, resources and people.

Prayer
I pray that God will do the same for us and his church in our area: bring people from a wide geography who are leaders in their "tribes" (circles of influence); influencers who will bring more of their tribe into the fold of Christ; who have useful skills which can be leveraged for kingdom purposes, so that the support base/infrastructure for the enemy crumbles beneath him. XP Amen.

What skilled leaders of tribes does God want to bring into his Kingdom?

Hearing an audible

2008-04-08T06:40:00.000-07:00

When the Bible says the Lord spoke to the Old Testament prophets, do you ever wonder how?

In today's reading about the word of the Lord coming to the prophet Samuel for the first time, it evidently was an audible voice because he mistook it for the voice of Eli, the High Priest (1Sa 3.2-10).

We don't know if that's always the way the prophets "heard" the word of the Lord, but at least in this case it was perceived as an audible voice.

I have not had this experience myself, but I have met several Christians who claim to have heard the Lord speak with to them with an audible voice at key points of their spiritual journey. I have not met anyone who claims to hear God's voice audibly regularly.

A regular, audible voice is not necessary on two accounts.

We have the Holy Spirit, the "mind of Christ" (1Co 2.16). You could say that a person surrendered to the Holy Spirit can in a sense read God's mind. We have an inner witness to God's word.

We also have the objective benefit of his written word, the Bible.

Yours/ours in 1Jn 1.4

2008-03-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

There is a variant in 1Jn 1.4. Some manuscripts have "our joy". Some say "your joy". By comparing John's use of joy in his epistles, every other instance refers to the author's joy. This suggests "our" is the correct reading.

1 John 1:4
We write this to make our joy complete.
2 John 1:4
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.
2 John 1:12
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
3 John 1:3
It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.
3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Verses are from the ESV.

I have written so that ...

2008-03-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 1Jn 5.13 NLT

When studying a book or passage, knowing the author's purpose for writing helps. Most of the time it has to be discerned from the content and context. Occasionally the author does us the favor of stating the purpose explicitly as here.

The apostle is writing to assure his flock of their standing in the people of God.

There is a parallel purpose statement in the John's gospel:

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name. Jn 20.30-31 NLT

John is clear about his purpose.

It is enough

2008-03-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

I'm beginning my study of 1 John in earnest in preparation for preaching through the book. This story is the best one I've come across so far. It's found in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: The Epistles of John by John R. W. Stott (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981) on page 49.

In his commentary on Galatians vi. 10 Jerome tells a famous story of 'blessed John the evangelist' in extreme old age at Ephesus. He used to be carried into the congregation in the arms of his disciples and was unable to say anything except 'little children, love one another'. At last, wearied that he always spoke the same words, they asked: 'Master, why do you always say this?' 'Because', he replied, 'it is the Lord's command, and if this only is done, it is enough.'

What a great picture: the ancient apostle, the only living of the original twelve disciples, being carried into the congregation.

I picture a hush falling over the congregation as he is carried down the aisle. It is clear he is saying something. The first impression is that of an old man mumbling something in his senility. But as he is carried by where you are standing you realize that he is not mumbling incoherently, but is purposefully repeating his life message: "Little children, love one another. Little children, love one another. Little children, love one another."

Although frail, his mind and message is clear, and he is using his remaining strength to convey it.