devotional

September 24, 2015

Too Busy to Minister – Matthew 22

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)

Mark Batterson, in his book, Wild Goose Chase, tells the following story about an experiment conducted by two Princeton University psychologists.

In the experiment, the psychologists interviewed seminary students and asked them why they went into the ministry.

The vast majority of the students said they went into ministry to help people.

Half of the students were then asked to prepare a short sermon on the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

The other half of the students were asked to prepare a short sermon on a variety of subjects.

Finally, the students were told to go to another building on campus to present their sermons.

Unbeknownst to the students, the psychologists staged an actor in an alley along the way, to play a person that had been mugged, much in the same way as the Samaritan – would the students stop to help?

They added one more twist.

Some of the students were told to head to the other building in a hurry because they had to give their presentations in a few minutes. They were going to be late!

The rest of the students were told to start making their way to the other building but they had time before they needed to give their presentations.

Of those in a hurry, only 10% stopped to offer help to the victim, while 63% of those not in a hurry stopped.

In several cases those that had prepared the sermon on the Good Samaritan actually stepped over the victim as they hurried on their way!

Ministry to others can sometimes be messy and much of the time it is inconvenient – we are just to busy to help others.

We find ourselves too busy to reach out to someone in need, too busy to answer a call for help.

Oh we may tell ourselves we have good reasons, yet we constantly let our busyness hamper our ability to minister to others.

I am reminded of an old Filipino saying, “Westerners are people with gods on their wrists.”

Obviously we have to adhere to schedules but when the schedules dictate how we minister, when our schedules prevent us from being used by the Holy Spirit in opportune times, when our schedules make us immune to the needs of others, it may be time to slow down and prioritize.

Jesus was clear about the two great commandments – love God, love your neighbor.

I am constantly reminded that our greatest preoccupation beyond our own relationship with Christ, should be people – helping where we can to meet needs, and taking the time to share the Gospel.

Until next time… keep reading!

Jim

 

 

September 17, 2015

When Traditions Void the Word of God – Matthew 15

“But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.”  Matthew 15:5-6 ESV

In Matthew 15, we come to an interesting exchange between Jesus and the religious leaders.

Jesus and his followers are being chastised by the leaders because they are not following the tradition of ceremonial washing before eating.

This was a tradition passed down by the Rabbis and was not a Mosaic Law.

It involved an elaborate washing ritual – washing one’s hands, and the cups, pitchers and kettles to be used for the meal.

The leaders saw this as a sort of spiritual cleansing for the people.

In this passage, we see Jesus turning the situation around, accusing the leaders of breaking God’s actual commands for the sake of their own traditions.

Jesus cites the fifth commandment as an example – honoring one’s father and mother. (Exodus 20:12)

This was so important to the ancient Israelites that anyone who cursed their parents could be put to death. (Exodus 21:17)  Yikes!

Scripture teaches we are to honor our parents.

Jesus affirms it here and I am also reminded of Paul’s teachings in 1 Timothy 5.

“But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.” 1 Timothy 5:4 ESV

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  1 Timothy 5:8 ESV

According to Jewish tradition, if a parent needed help, their child could declare anything of value as Corbin, meaning it was a gift saved for God.

The idea was the person could still use it until they died, then it was donated to the temple.

Jesus saw this as an example of how man-made traditions voided the very Word of God.

This is what traditions can do.

They play one law against another.

Corban is allegedly about loving God, but hard-hearted children used it to avoid caring for their parents.

Tradition looks at the letter of the law and often seeks to manipulate it or exploit loopholes.

It ignores the law’s spirit and the people whom the law protects and directs.

Traditions look at the hands; God’s law examines the heart.

May it never be said of God’s people today -“in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

Amen!

Until next time – keep reading!

Jim

 

Excerpts for this blog were taken directly from: Matthew by D.M. Doriani 

September 10, 2015

The Intentional Life – Matthew 9

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers
are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into his harvest.’” Matthew 9:37-38 ESV

You know the story…

An old man is walking along the beach one day and sees a young man up ahead
flinging something into the ocean.

As he draws closer, the old man sees that the young man is picking up starfish
and throwing them back into the ocean so that they will not die lying in
the sun.

The old man says to the young man that there are miles of coastline, beach
after beach and maybe millions of starfish – how can it possibly make a
difference?

The young man tosses in another starfish and says – to this starfish it
makes a difference!

This story has been used many times, in many sermons – yet it still rings
true.

We can make a difference – one person, one family, one block, one
neighborhood, one village, one city at a time.

The harvest is plentiful and it is on us to be intentional with the
harvest. All of us have been given a field to harvest.

It may be your family, your peers at work or school, friends or others you
meet as you go about your day or week.

Here at Central, we call it our Impact list – the people God has
intentionally placed in our lives.

The people we intentionally pray for, looking for an opportunity to share
the gospel or invite them to a Christ-centered activity, where they might
encounter Christ.

Oh, that we would have a heart like Jesus. A heart for others.

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Verse 36

Sheep without a shepherd. The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are
few.

Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest Jesus said, pray for more
laborers as they are few.

Earnestly – the situation is desperate.  There should always be a sense of
urgency when it comes to the harvest.

As I look back on my life, I rarely think – I wish I could have done less.

Instead I think – I wish I could have done more!  Lord, forgive my apathy
toward others!

I could have spent more intentional and quality time with my wife and kids
intentionally leading them one step closer in their walk with Jesus.

I should have reached out to that friend or loved one before they died or
moved away.

But it is never too late to start – to live a life intentionally focused
outward instead of inward.  A life focused on others.

Our greatest preoccupation should be teaching the gospel and sharing Jesus
with others and training others to do the same.

We should beseech the Lord to send out more workers to help us with the
harvest, never forgetting to tend to our own field, one starfish – one
person at a time.

So let’s pray for the workers, have compassion on others, teach the Gospel,
and help with the harvest whenever we can.

Let’s live an intentional life, focused on the things that matter – the
harvest, trusting the Lord to reach and change the hearts around us as we
go about His work.

Until next time – keep reading!

Jim

July 30, 2015

My Grace Is Sufficient for You

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…’” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

As we come to the close of our reading in Paul’s letters to the church in Corinth, I cannot help but be drawn to the sufferings Paul experienced for the Gospel in 2 Corinthians 12.

Five times Paul received 39 lashes in ministering to the Jews. Many times a person would die during the punishment. Paul survived 5 times.

Paul was also beaten by the Gentiles with rods 3 times.

He was stoned by a mob in Lystra (see Acts 14) and left for dead.

The dangers on highways, seas and other travels were always a real part of his journeys.

Paul was also attacked within the churches verbally by false teachers.

It is hard to imagine the physical pain Paul must have felt, but the spiritual struggles of his ministry seem to have been an even greater burden.

Despite the pressures he felt from the churches he founded and the opposition that faced him everywhere he went, Paul pressed on.

How could he continue? What made him press on for the Gospel?

He believed the things he wrote. He understood and believed in the reality of heaven and eternity, the potency of the Gospel, and God’s mercy and grace.

For Paul, the reality of heaven was real. He knew his citizenship was eternal and in heaven.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Paul understood the potency of the Gospel.

“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” ! Corinthians 4:20 ESV

“For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:16 ESV

Finally, Paul understood the magnitude of God’s mercy and grace.

Paul was a blasphemer, persecutor and enemy of the followers of the way. Yet God granted Paul mercy and grace, calling him to a lifetime of service.

It was the love of Christ that enabled him to absorb the beatings, persecutions, imprisonments, and challenges of ministry.

Paul understood that in his weakness, God’s power was demonstrated.

This enables us to understand that our trials and sufferings actually qualify us to proclaim the Gospel and teach others about Jesus.

He uses our sufferings to demonstrate His sufficiency. God can use our afflictions to provide comfort to others.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…’”

His power is made perfect in my weakness. Amen!

Until next time… keep reading!

Jim

Sources used for this blog: ESV Study Bible, Courson’s New Testament Application Commentary, Gospel Transformation Bible

June 18, 2015

To the Work! To the Work!

“While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'” Acts 13:2 NASB

We now embark with the Apostle Paul on a missionary journey, thirty plus years of service to Jesus.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Paul would help plant numerous churches in various countries, preaching the gospel and making many disciples.

We are told in Acts 14, Paul and his team would return to the churches he planted, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them in the faith, and appointing elders after fasting and prayer.

We are blessed to have the many letters Paul wrote to the churches that make up a major portion of the New Testament.

Through the summer we will read through all the letters Paul wrote in some chronological order, trying as closely as possible to match Paul’s writings in the order they occurred.

In Acts 8 we read how Paul persecuted the church.

In Acts 9 we read of Paul’s dramatic encounter with Jesus – the one he had been persecuting.

Later in Acts 9, we read how God used Paul to share the gospel to the Jews, though he would meet with much resistance.

In the coming chapters we will see how Paul sets up the church at Antioch as his base of operations and how God will use Paul to share the gospel with the gentiles, as promised in Acts 9.

“But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.’” Acts 9:15-16 NASB

In this passage, we see how the the Lord assures Ananias that Saul is His chosen instrument to carry His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel.

We will see how Saul becomes Paul, apostle to the uncircumcised and to kings (Governors Felix and Porcius Festus, King Herod Agrippa II, and possibly Nero – the roman emperor).

We will read of his ministry to both Israel and the Gentiles and of his many sufferings at the hands of those he was trying to help – Paul lists many of those sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27.

Paul definitely responded to the work God had called him to.

As I read through Acts I am reminded of the work Jesus has called us all to:

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20 NASB

As you read through the remainder of Acts, journey with Paul as he goes about the work, even when he faces opposition and times of trials and suffering.

Be mindful of your own journey – the work we have all been called to do.

To the work! To the work!

Until next time… Keep reading!

Jim

April 30, 2015

They Turned the World Upside Down

“… these men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.” Acts 17:6

I have to admit I am partial to the narrative books in scripture.

I love stories, I have been reading books since I was a very young lad, carried away to far off lands filled with heroes and villains.

The book of Acts is noteworthy for its narrative qualities.

Here we have an adventure filled with travel to far away places, arrests, imprisonments, beatings, riots, close calls and escapes, shipwreck, rescues, and more.

Although the book focuses primarily on Peter and Paul – the founding and growth of the church, we cannot forget the real hero in our story – The Holy Spirit!

Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to empower the apostles as witnesses, to spread the message of the gospel, and to draw to Himself, a people from all nations.

We see in the book of Acts how the the early church followers and witnesses of Jesus impacted the Roman empire – we are told in Acts 17:6 “they turned the world upside down”.

Old time preacher and evangelist Vance Havner, much admired by Billy Graham, once wrote, “We will move this world not by criticism of it, nor conformity to it — but by combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God.”

The early church shows us the difference between “witnessing” and being a witness. It is our witness, grounded in the Word, powered by the Holy Spirit that moves and expands His Kingdom.

As we continue to explore the ministry of Peter, we see him assume a leadership role in Chapter 1.

After he is filled with the Holy Spirit in Chapter 2 – Peter begins his public ministry.

We have designed our reading plan to focus on the chapters related to Peter and we will pick up the rest of the adventure when we explore the teachings of Paul.

As we read this narrative in Acts, we wonder, can this be the same man we read about in the gospels? What has changed with Peter? Simple answer – the Holy Spirit!

Peter was always a man of action but tempered with doubt.

Jesus promised to make Peter a fisher of men – indeed Peter became an evangelist who would bring many people into the kingdom over the course of his life — three thousand were saved during his first sermon alone.

When we read Acts we are reminded that when we open our hearts to Jesus, the Holy Spirit indwells within us.

And through the Holy Spirit, God calls us to join Him on this journey, this adventure – witnesses, expanding His Kingdom – turning the world upside down.

Until next time… keep reading!

Jim

Sources used for this blog: ESV Study Bible, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, New Testament

April 5, 2015

Easter Devotional – April 5

Matthew 28:1-10

Jesus Is Risen!

28 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus *said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

 

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

April 4, 2015

Easter Devotional – April 4

Matthew 27:57-66

Jesus Is Buried

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.

62 Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ 64 Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.

 

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

April 3, 2015

Easter Devotional – April 3

Matthew 27:33-56

The Crucifixion

33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34 they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.

35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. 37 And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

38 At that time two robbers *were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.

45 Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 47 And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. 49 But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

55 Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

 

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

April 2, 2015

Easter Devotional – April 2

Matthew 27:1-32

Judas’s Remorse

Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; 2 and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.

3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7 And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; 10 and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.”

Jesus before Pilate

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. 13 Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.

19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 But the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate *said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all *said, “Crucify Him!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” 25 And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Jesus Is Mocked

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. 28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. 31 After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

32 As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.

 

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