February 28, 2015

Easter Devotional – February 28

Matthew 6:5-15

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

What would it look like if heaven and earth met? Some say that prayer is where heaven and earth mingle. Prayer is not about saying the right words. It’s about spending one-on-one time with a holy and powerful, and personal God.

The example we’re given of how to pray begins with an acknowledgement of who God is. We need to be reminded of who He is first, which helps us to understand that He knows what we need even if we don’t know how to put it into words.

Do you understand the privilege and power behind prayer? Will you take it seriously? Do you believe prayer can change you? Is prayer at the very center of your life?

Prayer: Father, teach me to pray, to forgive, to live a Christ-centered life.

 

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

February 27, 2015

Easter Devotional – February 27

Matthew 5:1-12

The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Here’s a glimpse of possibly a whole new way to live. A way that’s not necessarily popular and definitely not natural. And to top it off we’ve been assured that we’ll be persecuted for it. Any takers?

It seems like this new kingdom of God is full of people who have been through the ringer. People like you and I.

Deep down in our souls is this yearning for our world to be flipped upside down, this yearning for a King to make everything right — to restore order and righteousness. While it’s easy to follow the pattern of the world and be concerned with building our personal kingdoms, Jesus is concerned with our hearts and how we are living for His kingdom. He assures us that although we will face trials and persecution in this life, all will be righted in His kingdom, the Kingdom of heaven.

Which of the beatitudes resonates the loudest with you? In what areas of your life are you experiencing persecution? How are you living for the Kingdom of heaven?

Prayer: Jesus, help me to grasp this new way of living. Help me to follow You and Your ways as I look forward to Your new Kingdom

 

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

February 26, 2015

Easter Devotional – February 26

Matthew 4:1-11

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and

‘On their hands they will bear You up,
So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” 11 Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Does it ever seem that temptations are actually good things gone bad; that they blind-side us and throw us for a loop? This is what’s happening to Jesus with a loaf of bread. Bread…a seemingly basic and insignificant item is what Satan uses to tempt Jesus. A blind-side…until we remember that Jesus hasn’t eaten anything in 40 days! Satan will hit us where we hurt; his intent is to thwart God’s purposes any way possible. But unlike most of us, Jesus doesn’t try harder to resist Satan. Jesus takes an alternate path. He knows His Word well enough to respond to the temptation 3 different times, even after Satan has twisted it. Jesus uses His temptations as an opportunity to show reliance on God, rather than on physical things.

Jesus had Scripture-fueled courage to resist the temptation and turn things around; what do you need Scripture-fueled courage for today? What temptations are you facing? What’s your plan to overcome those temptations?

Prayer: As I face temptations daily, help me to recognize them and be “Scripture-fueled” like Jesus to resist them.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

February 25, 2015

Easter Devotional – February 25

Matthew 4:18-25

The First Disciples

Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

Ministry in Galilee

23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues andproclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.

24 The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs,epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.

Imagine. You get a chance to go to the Super Bowl. The national anthem has been beautifully sung, the coin toss is about to take place. But the coach comes out and points to a couple of people in the stands and says, “Hey, come on down here; you’re not spectators anymore, you’re playing in the big game.” First reaction: Are you kidding me? I’m totally unprepared. I’m not ready.

While this would never happen in professional sports, this is how Jesus calls us. We were never meant to be spectators while God works His wonders all around us. We are called to participate. Even though we are unqualified and unprepared, He is all-powerful and completely worthy. God likes to use the unqualified and the unprepared, we just have to be willing to go out on the field.

Are you willing to go out on the field? Willing to allow Him to do His work through you?

Prayer: God, help me to be a player. To be willing to listen to Your call and move from the spectator seats to my place on the field.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

 

February 24, 2015

Easter Devotional – February 24

Matthew 3:1-12

The Preaching of John the Baptist

3 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
‘Make ready the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight!’”

4 Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; 6 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; 9 and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 10 The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

As we continue on our journey, more than 25 years later, we meet up with John the Baptist…also prophesied about in the Old Testament, who happens to be Jesus’ cousin. The cousin of the Messiah! Can you even imagine!?! And John, while being the greatest man who ever lived, talks about “the” Messiah as, “Someone much more powerful, more worthy…and He will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” John the Baptist came saying “REPENT!…the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”…prepare the way – remove the obstacles, get ready to meet the Messiah.

And this is what some people are doing, they are coming to John to repent and be baptized.

Others, however, (the Pharisees and Sadducees) are not. And to them he gives a warning – you can’t rely on your family for your faith – you may be Abraham’s children, but you need to personally repent, for YOU are personally responsible to bear good fruit!

What?!?

They thought they were shoe-ins because of Dad, but it is only by faith in Jesus, the Messiah.

How are you preparing your heart, your life, for the coming Messiah? Have you relied on your parents’ faith or have you personally repented and given your heart over to Jesus? Take some time to take stock of your heart, your faith.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being powerful and completely worthy. Show me what it means to completely rely on You.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

February 23, 2015

Easter Devotional – February 23

As Easter quickly approaches, and it will be quick, let’s take some time to walk through Jesus’ life. Although this journey through Matthew begins with Jesus’ birth, the story begins way before that. If you’ve heard any of our Genesis series, you know that the hope for Jesus was proclaimed in Genesis 3:15…the head-crushing seed of the woman.

Jump ahead to Mary and Joseph and the story of the fulfillment of the first advent.

 

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Conception and Birth of Jesus

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

Here we see Joseph’s perspective of Jesus’ birth. First, Mary tells him a story fit for a soap opera, then he has a dream that verifies it! This Child is the Messiah that’s been so long expected…prophesied about throughout history. Mary and Joseph had no idea how this was all going to work out. They were just an engaged couple, chosen by God to bring the Messiah into the world.

They had to trust God with their entire lives. They had to allow God to take over, to change the course of their lives as they had planned it.

Are you open to that…in the midst of your plans? Are you open to hearing from God? Are you willing to allow Him to speak into your life…and transform it?

Prayer: God, as I read Your Word over the next 40 days, help me to hear Your voice and be willing to allow You to transform my life. Help me to discover more about who You are in order for me to live and love like You.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

 

February 19, 2015

God Is About to Answer…

Thoughts About What We’re Reading!

We have finished our Old Testament reading, with Malachi as the last book. Between the time of Malachi and the events recorded in the New Testament, 400 years have passed.

For this week’s blog, I decided to focus on the time between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The Old Testament closes with the people of Israel partially restored to their land, but under Persian rule.

The New Testament opens with the same people greatly multiplied and dwelling in the same country, but under Roman rule, and with an Edomite, Herod the Great, on the throne.

Hebrew is no longer spoken and has been replaced by Aramaic and Greek.

The Temple has been rebuilt by King Herod the Great and has a totally different appearance.

The people study the Scriptures in buildings called synagogues, scattered throughout the countryside.

After the captivity, Jews that wanted to worship the Lord and couldn’t worship at the Temple, decided to build synagogues wherever there were 10 Jewish men.

Every Sabbath day, Jews would gather in the synagogues to be instructed in Old Testament teachings.

Since those in captivity no longer spoke Hebrew, they wanted an Old Testament translation that they could understand.

So seventy men convened in Alexandria, Egypt and translated the Old Testament from Hebrew into Greek.  This is how we got the Septuagint.

The group of men who translated the Septuagint became known as the scribes.

Because they translated and painstakingly copied the Scriptures, these men became authorities in Old Testament laws and teaching.

That is why when we turn to the New Testament we see scribes in a place of religious prominence.

Politically, Pax Romana – the “Peace of Rome” is in effect at the time of Jesus’s birth. The world was unified as never before. It was a forced peace – but it created an environment where the gospel could travel quickly throughout the empire on Roman highways.

So after 400 years of silence the people of God, the nation of Israel were waiting to hear something from the Lord.

God is about to answer…

Until next time… keep reading!

Jim

Excerpts taken directly from the following resource: Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament Vol 2.

 

February 17, 2015

An Examined Life

Genesis 47

Socrates, a 4th century B.C. Greek philosopher, once famously said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Of course we understand what he’s getting at. It’s good to evaluate the impact that we are having on our world…on those around us. Is is good or bad? What changes do I need to make to achieve the desired impact? And while Socrates might be right about an unexamined life, it’s important what lens we use to evaluate that life. Will we, like Jacob, see our days as “few and evil” focusing more on events from an earthy perspective…bad choices I’ve made and the bad choices of others that have afflicted me, or will we see our days from the Father’s perspective, full of promise and potential, the working out of His good purposes, blessing and opportunities to brag on Him?

We are sojourners here. This broken world is not our home. Let us not forget that lest we become settlers, building our own earthy kingdoms instead of investing in God’s eternal kingdom. Though we are sojourners, while we are here, we are called to make impact…not to play it safe in our own little holy huddle, but to storm the gates of hell, as we learn to live and love like Jesus. Keeping the destination in mind allows us to enter into the wild adventure of following Jesus each day, recognizing the blessings He has poured out upon us and finding joy even in the midst of the difficult stops along the way.

Until next time…stay salty.

This post is based on our Genesis series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on twitter: @ccclancaster

February 17, 2015

OT Reading – February 17

Malachi 3-4

Malachi 3

The Purifier

3 “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. 2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the Lord of hosts. 6 “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.

7 “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

You Have Robbed God

8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. 11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts. 12 “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.

13 “Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 15 So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up but they also test God and escape.’”

The Book of Remembrance

16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. 17 “They will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” 18 So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.

 

Malachi 4

Final Admonition

4 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” 2 “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. 3 You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the Lord of hosts.

4 “Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.

5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)

 

Congratulations!!

You made it through the entire Old Testament!

Take a break for the next few days…spend your extra time in prayer, worshipping our BIG God!

We’ll resume with a devotional on Monday, February23 and begin the New Testament on Monday, April 6th.

February 16, 2015

OT Reading – February 16

Malachi 1-2

Malachi 1

God’s Love for Jacob

1 The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.

2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have You loved us?”  “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob; 3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.” 4 Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”; thus says the Lord of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the Lord is indignant forever.” 5 Your eyes will see this and you will say, “The Lord be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”

Sin of the Priests

6 “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ 7 You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’ In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is to be despised.’ 8 But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?” says the Lord of hosts. 9 “But now will you not entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?” says the Lord of hosts. 10 “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from you. 11 For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord of hosts. 12 “But you are profaning it, in that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.’ 13 You also say, ‘My, how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says the Lord of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?” says the Lord. 14 “But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King,” says the Lord of hosts, “and My name is feared among the nations.”

 

Malachi 2

Priests to Be Disciplined

2 “And now this commandment is for you, O priests. 2 If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name,” says the Lord of hosts, “then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart. 3 Behold, I am going to rebuke your offspring, and I will spread refuse on your faces, the refuse of your feasts; and you will be taken away with it. 4 Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may continue with Levi,” says the Lord of hosts. 5 “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him as an object of reverence; so he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. 6 True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity. 7 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. 8 But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the Lord of hosts. 9 “So I also have made you despised and abased before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in the instruction.

Sin in the Family

10 “Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?11 Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the Lord which He loves and has married the daughter of a foreign god. 12 As for the man who does this, may the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who awakes and answers, or who presents an offering to the Lord of hosts.

13 “This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. 16 For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”

17 You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, “How have we wearied Him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB © The Lockman Foundation (www.lockman.org)