Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Feeding the masses
Scripture: Exodus 16:11-15, Mark 6:36-44
The LORD said to Moses, "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, 'At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.' " That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.
By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five—and two fish." Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What had Moses and the Israelites seen from God? The burning bush, the promised deliverer, the plagues, the Passover, the Exodus, the parting of the sea; they saw God Himself in the pillars of cloud and fire; they had water transformed so that they could drink it. Here they are. freed from slavery, rescued from slaughter, hungry, and worried He would not provide...but provide He did. For forty years He rained down their sustenance, He fed an entire nation. There was no need to plant or harvest, nothing to do but follow Him. Every Jewish man, woman, and child received Heavenly evidence that God would provide.
Then comes the famous story of Jesus feeding the five thousand [men, plus women and children]. One meal to one crowd, but undoubtedly miraculous. How else is this different?
In the Exodus story, the God Almighty, the Pillar of Cloud and Fire, rains miraculous food down from Heaven. In Mark, we have God the Man, using a normal dinner for one or two. More importantly, He passes the miracle into the hands of men. Not only did the food not fall from the skies, but it was delivered by the hands of ordinary men. Notice that Jesus said "You give them something to eat." And then, He places the original loaves and fishes into the disciples' hands, then the miracle occurs.
In both stories, the Provider provides. In the first, we see that the great Jehovah God can provide with miraculous intervention from Heaven. In the second, we see that God stands among us, uses common things to do miraculous works, and engages our hands in the miracle.
Glory be to God!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What other similarities and differences do you see in these two stories?
2. Has God ever done a miracle through your hands?
3. How do you perceive the vastness and the intimacy in which God performs miracles? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we expect the miraculous. Jim
"If one starts with an impersonal beginning, the answer to morals eventually turns out to be the assertion that there are no morals." Francis
Monday, September 29, 2008
Fearfully and wonderfully made
Fearfully and wonderfully made
Looking at the vastness and the intimacy of God,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Genesis 2:4-7;21- 22 & Luke 1:30-35
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens- and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground- the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being...So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love reading about the creation! It starts of with this Amazing God speaking the stuff of the universe into existence and breathing out the fiery stars, them gently forming Adam, by hand, and ever so tenderly breathing life into him. Shortly thereafter, He creates Eve, forming her from Adam's frame. From that time until today, all other people were created by the conception between a man and a woman.
Except Jesus.
A miracle brought all of humanity into existence. Another miracle brought humanity's Salvation.
The first allowed for your existence. The second - your eternity.
Glory be to God!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever considered the uniqueness of Adam, Eve, and Jesus' 'births'?
2. Does that say anything to you?
3. Why did Jesus need to be conceived this way?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we see the Creator and His creation in each child. Jim
"If one starts with an impersonal beginning, the answer to morals eventually turns out to be the assertion that there are no morals." Francis Schaeffer
Looking at the vastness and the intimacy of God,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Genesis 2:4-7;21- 22 & Luke 1:30-35
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens- and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground- the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being...So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love reading about the creation! It starts of with this Amazing God speaking the stuff of the universe into existence and breathing out the fiery stars, them gently forming Adam, by hand, and ever so tenderly breathing life into him. Shortly thereafter, He creates Eve, forming her from Adam's frame. From that time until today, all other people were created by the conception between a man and a woman.
Except Jesus.
A miracle brought all of humanity into existence. Another miracle brought humanity's Salvation.
The first allowed for your existence. The second - your eternity.
Glory be to God!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Have you ever considered the uniqueness of Adam, Eve, and Jesus' 'births'?
2. Does that say anything to you?
3. Why did Jesus need to be conceived this way?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we see the Creator and His creation in each child. Jim
"If one starts with an impersonal beginning, the answer to morals eventually turns out to be the assertion that there are no morals." Francis Schaeffer
Friday, September 26, 2008
Words That Paint a Thousand Pictures
Words That Paint a Thousand Pictures
Looking at the vastness and the intimacy of God,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Selections from Genesis 1 & Mark 4:35-41 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation..." And it was so.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky..." And it was so.
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."
And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds..."
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image...."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The WORD of God, how amazing! That He could, and would, speak...and things that had never before existed came into being. Light, water, land, living creatures, all as a result of God saying "BE"! Is it not mind-numbing to think how mighty, how powerful, how amazing God is, that His words are the creative force of the universe? How BIG God is? He is bigger than anything you deal with...bigger than every circumstance in your life...and still... There He is. When the storms are raging, and the waves are up...there He is, not only bigger than, but right in the middle of your circumstances, going through them with you. It could be that He calms the storm, or it could be that He calms you in the midst of the storm. Either way, the same Voice of God who spoke the world into being, says to you "I am with you, always." (Matt. 28:20)
With you.
Always.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you imagine the Voice of God?
2. How do you hear Him?
3. How do you compare God and Jesus?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we see the Creator in the midst of our storms. Jim
"If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however helpful it might be: if it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all." C.S. Lewis
Looking at the vastness and the intimacy of God,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Selections from Genesis 1 & Mark 4:35-41 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation..." And it was so.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky..." And it was so.
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."
And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds..."
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image...."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The WORD of God, how amazing! That He could, and would, speak...and things that had never before existed came into being. Light, water, land, living creatures, all as a result of God saying "BE"! Is it not mind-numbing to think how mighty, how powerful, how amazing God is, that His words are the creative force of the universe? How BIG God is? He is bigger than anything you deal with...bigger than every circumstance in your life...and still... There He is. When the storms are raging, and the waves are up...there He is, not only bigger than, but right in the middle of your circumstances, going through them with you. It could be that He calms the storm, or it could be that He calms you in the midst of the storm. Either way, the same Voice of God who spoke the world into being, says to you "I am with you, always." (Matt. 28:20)
With you.
Always.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you imagine the Voice of God?
2. How do you hear Him?
3. How do you compare God and Jesus?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we see the Creator in the midst of our storms. Jim
"If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however helpful it might be: if it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all." C.S. Lewis
Thursday, September 25, 2008
How big is God?
How big is God?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We live in such a 'self-control' 'do-it-yourself' world. We have so many things at our fingertips. Yet our control is an illusion. It is like someone driving a car on the highway, bopping along with the radio (or talking on a cellphone), with a sense of invulnerability; until they smash into an unmoving vehicle at 70 miles per hour. And it will happen to each of us.
Maybe it is the doctor saying "It's cancer."
Or an employer saying "I'm sorry, we have to let you go."
Maybe it's hearing that someone you love is unexpectedly ill or has died.
It is good, I think, to understand the vastness, and the intimacy of God, before we smash into one of these circumstances. For the next few days, we will look at God's vastness - how much bigger He is than our circumstances...and His intimacy - how He is right in the middle of our circumstances with us.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
There is no "bigger" than that.
Our God is a great, big, God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you imagine God?
2. Can you see an almighty God as 'friend'?
3. How do you compare God and Jesus?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we see God as He is. Jim
"If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however helpful it might be:
if it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all."
C.S. Lewis
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We live in such a 'self-control' 'do-it-yourself' world. We have so many things at our fingertips. Yet our control is an illusion. It is like someone driving a car on the highway, bopping along with the radio (or talking on a cellphone), with a sense of invulnerability; until they smash into an unmoving vehicle at 70 miles per hour. And it will happen to each of us.
Maybe it is the doctor saying "It's cancer."
Or an employer saying "I'm sorry, we have to let you go."
Maybe it's hearing that someone you love is unexpectedly ill or has died.
It is good, I think, to understand the vastness, and the intimacy of God, before we smash into one of these circumstances. For the next few days, we will look at God's vastness - how much bigger He is than our circumstances...and His intimacy - how He is right in the middle of our circumstances with us.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
There is no "bigger" than that.
Our God is a great, big, God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you imagine God?
2. Can you see an almighty God as 'friend'?
3. How do you compare God and Jesus?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we see God as He is. Jim
"If Christianity is untrue, then no honest man will want to believe it, however helpful it might be:
if it is true, every honest man will want to believe it, even if it gives him no help at all."
C.S. Lewis
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Leaving holes or doubling work?
Leaving holes or doubling work?
Scripture: Selections from Nehemiah 3 (one more time)
Builders of the Wall
Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. ...The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them. The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah...Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa...
...but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
...Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district. 23 Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house...etc...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In order that Jerusalem's wall might be rebuilt. God called Nehemiah as the foreman. Assignments were made. From smaller portions to larger ones, each did as assigned, and the wall was rebuilt. But what about those that would not participate? ...but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
This had to result in one of two ways; more work for others, or holes in the wall.
Do you have any doubt that God is calling you to help rebuild His wall? What will happen if you do not put your shoulder to the work?
Questions:
1. Do you have any doubt that God is calling you to do His work?
2. What will happen if you do not respond?
3. Do you think all believers are called?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we hear Him, for He surely is calling. Jim
"No sort of defense is needed for preaching outdoors, but it would take a very strong argument to prove that a man who has never preached beyond the walls of his meetinghouse has done his duty. A defense is required for services within buildings rather than for worship outside of them." William Booth
Scripture: Selections from Nehemiah 3 (one more time)
Builders of the Wall
Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. ...The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them. The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah...Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa...
...but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
...Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district. 23 Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house...etc...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In order that Jerusalem's wall might be rebuilt. God called Nehemiah as the foreman. Assignments were made. From smaller portions to larger ones, each did as assigned, and the wall was rebuilt. But what about those that would not participate? ...but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
This had to result in one of two ways; more work for others, or holes in the wall.
Do you have any doubt that God is calling you to help rebuild His wall? What will happen if you do not put your shoulder to the work?
Questions:
1. Do you have any doubt that God is calling you to do His work?
2. What will happen if you do not respond?
3. Do you think all believers are called?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we hear Him, for He surely is calling. Jim
"No sort of defense is needed for preaching outdoors, but it would take a very strong argument to prove that a man who has never preached beyond the walls of his meetinghouse has done his duty. A defense is required for services within buildings rather than for worship outside of them." William Booth
Monday, September 22, 2008
Your own front yard
ListenDaily - 22 September 2008; Your own front yard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Selections from Nehemiah 3
Builders of the Wall 1 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them. 3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. 4 Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. 5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
17 Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district.
23 Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house.
28 Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.
29 Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house...
...Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You may or may not be familiar with the story of Nehemiah. He was an Israelite, cupbearer to a Persian king. Saddened by the news that the great wall around his beloved Jersalem had fallen into disrepair, Nehemiah requests, and is granted, permission to return tohis homeland to oversee the rebuilding of the wall.
The world is in disrepair! Some of us, like Nehemiah, are called to oversee great projects. Others, like those in the first few verses, are called to large, but specific projects. Some are called to geographical work, like Hashabiah, who "carried out repairs for his district." Some of us are simply called to do as Benjamin and Hasshub, the priests, Azariah son of Maaseiah, Zadok son of Immer, and Meshullam son of Berekiah did. They "made repairs in front of their houses."
Now, we may not be building an actual wall, but no doubt their is Godly work to be done, right across from our houses where;
A lonely widow lives, or;
A little boy or girl, with only one parent, plays alone, or;
Someone is hungry, or
Someone needs to know Christ.Maybe you live in an actual neighborhood, where none of these are an issue.( Although I doubt all our neighbors know Jesus.)
How about across from your work? Your child's school? Your church?
If we are called to a wider task, then we must follow His leading. If not, then, beyond the shadow of a doubt, we are called to do the necessary work across from our house.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Using the wider definition, do you see the need 'across from your house'?
2. Do you feel called to do God's work?
3. Do you think all believers are called?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we hear Him, for He surely is calling. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The history of the world suggests that without love of God there is little likelihood of a love for man that does not become corrupt." - Francois Fenelon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Selections from Nehemiah 3
Builders of the Wall 1 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them. 3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. 4 Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. 5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
17 Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district.
23 Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house.
28 Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.
29 Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house...
...Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You may or may not be familiar with the story of Nehemiah. He was an Israelite, cupbearer to a Persian king. Saddened by the news that the great wall around his beloved Jersalem had fallen into disrepair, Nehemiah requests, and is granted, permission to return tohis homeland to oversee the rebuilding of the wall.
The world is in disrepair! Some of us, like Nehemiah, are called to oversee great projects. Others, like those in the first few verses, are called to large, but specific projects. Some are called to geographical work, like Hashabiah, who "carried out repairs for his district." Some of us are simply called to do as Benjamin and Hasshub, the priests, Azariah son of Maaseiah, Zadok son of Immer, and Meshullam son of Berekiah did. They "made repairs in front of their houses."
Now, we may not be building an actual wall, but no doubt their is Godly work to be done, right across from our houses where;
A lonely widow lives, or;
A little boy or girl, with only one parent, plays alone, or;
Someone is hungry, or
Someone needs to know Christ.Maybe you live in an actual neighborhood, where none of these are an issue.( Although I doubt all our neighbors know Jesus.)
How about across from your work? Your child's school? Your church?
If we are called to a wider task, then we must follow His leading. If not, then, beyond the shadow of a doubt, we are called to do the necessary work across from our house.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Using the wider definition, do you see the need 'across from your house'?
2. Do you feel called to do God's work?
3. Do you think all believers are called?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we hear Him, for He surely is calling. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The history of the world suggests that without love of God there is little likelihood of a love for man that does not become corrupt." - Francois Fenelon
Friday, September 19, 2008
The Greatest!
The Greatest!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:13 ~ "The Greatest"
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For several days we looked at those commandments that Jesus said were "the greatest ones". He said "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Today we fast-forward to Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth, which contains the great love passage, which concludes with today's Scripture verse. Three things remain, Paul says, faith, hope, and love. Love is the greatest.
Do you ever feel hopeless? Focus on the commandments! Focus on loving God and your neighbors, and see your hope rise anew. Do you feel your faith is lacking? Focus on the commandments! Focus on loving God and your neighbors,watch your faith grow as you see the response to your love.
Love is the greatest!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you agree that there is a link between these two commandments and increasing hope?
2. Do you agree that there is a link between these two commandments and increasing faith?
3. Is either possible without the other?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we love as He would have us love. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The history of the world suggests that without love of God there is little likelihood of a love for man that does not become corrupt." - Francois Fenelon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:13 ~ "The Greatest"
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For several days we looked at those commandments that Jesus said were "the greatest ones". He said "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Today we fast-forward to Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth, which contains the great love passage, which concludes with today's Scripture verse. Three things remain, Paul says, faith, hope, and love. Love is the greatest.
Do you ever feel hopeless? Focus on the commandments! Focus on loving God and your neighbors, and see your hope rise anew. Do you feel your faith is lacking? Focus on the commandments! Focus on loving God and your neighbors,watch your faith grow as you see the response to your love.
Love is the greatest!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Do you agree that there is a link between these two commandments and increasing hope?
2. Do you agree that there is a link between these two commandments and increasing faith?
3. Is either possible without the other?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we love as He would have us love. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The history of the world suggests that without love of God there is little likelihood of a love for man that does not become corrupt." - Francois Fenelon
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Part 2!
Part 2!
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Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment" 34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' What does this kind of love look like? What does it mean to love my neighbor like I love myself? There are, I am sure, many depths and layers to this; the first thing that comes to mind is self-preservation. We ordinarily do all we can in order to take care of, to save, ourselves...the old "fight or flight" mentality. It is natural to take care of ourselves, and even, I think, our families. We even see self-defense and protection of the young in animals. This is natural. But God is commanding something supernatural! He tells us to love others in such a way that their preservation is a life or death matter to us. This second commandment, because it is supernatural, requires the first commandment be fulfilled. If we love God and open ourselves up to His great love, then, and only then, can we truly love others in the way He commands.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What do you think of this perspective?
2. Do you agree that there is a link between these two commandments?
3. Is either possible without the other?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we love as He would have us love. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The history of the world suggests that without love of God there is little likelihood of a love for man that does not become corrupt." - Francois Fenelon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment" 34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' What does this kind of love look like? What does it mean to love my neighbor like I love myself? There are, I am sure, many depths and layers to this; the first thing that comes to mind is self-preservation. We ordinarily do all we can in order to take care of, to save, ourselves...the old "fight or flight" mentality. It is natural to take care of ourselves, and even, I think, our families. We even see self-defense and protection of the young in animals. This is natural. But God is commanding something supernatural! He tells us to love others in such a way that their preservation is a life or death matter to us. This second commandment, because it is supernatural, requires the first commandment be fulfilled. If we love God and open ourselves up to His great love, then, and only then, can we truly love others in the way He commands.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What do you think of this perspective?
2. Do you agree that there is a link between these two commandments?
3. Is either possible without the other?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we love as He would have us love. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The history of the world suggests that without love of God there is little likelihood of a love for man that does not become corrupt." - Francois Fenelon
Monday, September 15, 2008
All your soul..
All your soul..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment" 34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Love the Lord your God...with all your soul." What is the 'soul'?
It is good to pause for a moment and consider that question, although our answer will be somewhat limited this side of Heaven. If all your heart is everything you care about; if all your mind and all your strength are everything you think about and do; then what is left for all your soul? Eternity!
I think our souls is truly who we are. Our emotions change with our circumstances and maturity, as do our thought processes. Our bodies change drastically with our age. But our souls are eternal. The body houses the soul, and perhaps expresses it. Our souls, it seems are the framework on which and through which our visible selves are placed. Without the soul, we would be as animals. Animals can work hard, and show care and love, but souls are for us alone. There is something there that only people have that can connect to God. It, I believe, is the part of us created in God's image.
Our souls cry out to be connected with God, often barred by our actions, thoughts, and words.
But if we can control our tongues (a), our thoughts (b), and our bodies (c), then our souls can move freely, and wholly to the purpose to which they were created..
Loving God. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How would you define your soul?
2. How would you define "all your soul"?
3. How do you show Him love?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we love Him with all...all...our soul. Jim~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The history of the world suggests that without love of God there is little likelihood of a love for man that does not become corrupt." - Francois Fenelon
FOOTNOTES:
(a) When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:3-6
(b) For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery. Mark 7:21
(c) Each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable. 1 Thessalonians 4:4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment" 34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Love the Lord your God...with all your soul." What is the 'soul'?
It is good to pause for a moment and consider that question, although our answer will be somewhat limited this side of Heaven. If all your heart is everything you care about; if all your mind and all your strength are everything you think about and do; then what is left for all your soul? Eternity!
I think our souls is truly who we are. Our emotions change with our circumstances and maturity, as do our thought processes. Our bodies change drastically with our age. But our souls are eternal. The body houses the soul, and perhaps expresses it. Our souls, it seems are the framework on which and through which our visible selves are placed. Without the soul, we would be as animals. Animals can work hard, and show care and love, but souls are for us alone. There is something there that only people have that can connect to God. It, I believe, is the part of us created in God's image.
Our souls cry out to be connected with God, often barred by our actions, thoughts, and words.
But if we can control our tongues (a), our thoughts (b), and our bodies (c), then our souls can move freely, and wholly to the purpose to which they were created..
Loving God. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How would you define your soul?
2. How would you define "all your soul"?
3. How do you show Him love?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we love Him with all...all...our soul. Jim~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The history of the world suggests that without love of God there is little likelihood of a love for man that does not become corrupt." - Francois Fenelon
FOOTNOTES:
(a) When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:3-6
(b) For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery. Mark 7:21
(c) Each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable. 1 Thessalonians 4:4
Friday, September 12, 2008
All your mind...
All your mind...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment" 34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Love the Lord your God...with all your mind..." All your mind. At other times Jesus (as well as the Old Testament commandments) said "all your strength", or "all your mind and all your strength". The emphasis is that along side heart and soul, we are asked to love our God with all of our physical being, including conscious thought. All!
The picture comes to mind of King David, who danced before the Lord with all his might. (2 Sam. 6) That is one perspective; that when we do anything for God, we give it all we have. We pray, and worship, and serve, and dance(!) with all our might before the Lord. And that is good.
But I think it is more than that. It is more than giving 100% when we are doing "God stuff". It is making 100% of what we do (and think, and say) "God stuff". I do not mean that all we should do is church work, I mean that everything we do...at work, at home, at Wal-Mart, while driving, while loving our children and our spouses, while disciplining our children and arguing with our spouses...should have God right in the middle of it.
People only see objects because of the light that reflects off of them. Followers of Christ have the opportunity to see everything and everyone in the reflection of the light of God's love. When that happens, we remember that God is truly everywhere, all the time. And when we see Him, everywhere all the time, loving us...we can begin to, everywhere, all the time, love Him as well.
With all our mind, with all our strength. All. Amen.
P.S. Although we seek to love the Lord with all our minds and strength, the result comes, not from working harder or doing more, but by submitting ourselves to Him. That, however, is a subject for another day!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:1. How would you define "all your mind"?
2. Is there anything, or anyone, who gets more of what you do than God?
3. How can you come to be fully aware of His presence in your life?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we love Him with all...all...our mind. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power." Billy Sunday
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment" 34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Love the Lord your God...with all your mind..." All your mind. At other times Jesus (as well as the Old Testament commandments) said "all your strength", or "all your mind and all your strength". The emphasis is that along side heart and soul, we are asked to love our God with all of our physical being, including conscious thought. All!
The picture comes to mind of King David, who danced before the Lord with all his might. (2 Sam. 6) That is one perspective; that when we do anything for God, we give it all we have. We pray, and worship, and serve, and dance(!) with all our might before the Lord. And that is good.
But I think it is more than that. It is more than giving 100% when we are doing "God stuff". It is making 100% of what we do (and think, and say) "God stuff". I do not mean that all we should do is church work, I mean that everything we do...at work, at home, at Wal-Mart, while driving, while loving our children and our spouses, while disciplining our children and arguing with our spouses...should have God right in the middle of it.
People only see objects because of the light that reflects off of them. Followers of Christ have the opportunity to see everything and everyone in the reflection of the light of God's love. When that happens, we remember that God is truly everywhere, all the time. And when we see Him, everywhere all the time, loving us...we can begin to, everywhere, all the time, love Him as well.
With all our mind, with all our strength. All. Amen.
P.S. Although we seek to love the Lord with all our minds and strength, the result comes, not from working harder or doing more, but by submitting ourselves to Him. That, however, is a subject for another day!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:1. How would you define "all your mind"?
2. Is there anything, or anyone, who gets more of what you do than God?
3. How can you come to be fully aware of His presence in your life?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we love Him with all...all...our mind. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power." Billy Sunday
Thursday, September 11, 2008
All your heart...
All your heart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment"
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart..."
All your heart.
All.
Everything.
Everything, everyone. that you have ever given your heart to, must be put aside. If you love anything, anyone, ahead of God, then you do not love Him with all your heart. But if you do love Him with all your heart, oh friend, how much will your capacity to love everything else increase!
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart..:"
All.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How would you define "all your heart"?
2. Is there anything, or anyone, who gets more of an expression of your love than God?
3. How do you show Him love?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we love Him with all...all...our hearts. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power." Billy Sunday
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment"
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart..."
All your heart.
All.
Everything.
Everything, everyone. that you have ever given your heart to, must be put aside. If you love anything, anyone, ahead of God, then you do not love Him with all your heart. But if you do love Him with all your heart, oh friend, how much will your capacity to love everything else increase!
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart..:"
All.
Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How would you define "all your heart"?
2. Is there anything, or anyone, who gets more of an expression of your love than God?
3. How do you show Him love?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we love Him with all...all...our hearts. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power." Billy Sunday
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
"I COMMAND YOU...!"
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment"
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
The word commandment gives, I think, the mental image of something difficult and maybe unpleastant to do. In the military, the commander is the ultimate authority in a given unit. His role (perhaps stereotypically) is to impose his will on the troops for a greater purpose. His charges follow out of a sense of duty, sacrificing themselves in varying degrees, up to and including the ultimate sacrifice.
Even when we think of the Ten Commandments, I believe the common reaction is that they are a heavy-handed bunch of "Thou shalt nots"! But here is the Giver of the Law, God in the flesh, responding to the question "which is the greatest commandment?"
His answer?
Love me, just love me.
Amazing grace, indeed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How would you define "commandment"?
2. How would you describe your love for God?
3. How do you show Him love? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we stop and consider a "Commander" whose greates desire from us is our love. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power." Billy Sunday
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
The word commandment gives, I think, the mental image of something difficult and maybe unpleastant to do. In the military, the commander is the ultimate authority in a given unit. His role (perhaps stereotypically) is to impose his will on the troops for a greater purpose. His charges follow out of a sense of duty, sacrificing themselves in varying degrees, up to and including the ultimate sacrifice.
Even when we think of the Ten Commandments, I believe the common reaction is that they are a heavy-handed bunch of "Thou shalt nots"! But here is the Giver of the Law, God in the flesh, responding to the question "which is the greatest commandment?"
His answer?
Love me, just love me.
Amazing grace, indeed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How would you define "commandment"?
2. How would you describe your love for God?
3. How do you show Him love? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we stop and consider a "Commander" whose greates desire from us is our love. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power." Billy Sunday
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
What does love look like?
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment"
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"'Love the Lord your God...."
So...what is this "love" that we are supposed to do? How do we know it when we see it? When we do it? My father-in-law, Ed, sent me a great response to yesterday's message. In reading works of Saint Francis de Sales, Ed came upon this quote:
"When we look at the very beautiful and natural love of two people, we see that the mind and heart of the lover are always on the beloved. It occupies their time, their hearts, and their conversation.When the beloved is absent, how quickly they keep in touch through letters and all means of communication. The same is true for those who love God. You can never stop thinking about him, longing for him, aspiring toward him, and speaking about him. "
I really like this. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart" - longing for him - "and with all your soul" - aspiring toward him - "and with all your mind" - thinking about him...and speaking about him."
I think Pall alluded to this when he wrote to "pray without ceasing". (1 Thess. 5:17) I do not believe that he meant for us to be on our knees at all times, but rather to be ever aware of the one who loves us the most...and to be ever "thinking about him, longing for him, aspiring toward him, and speaking about him. "
May this be us!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:1. What do you think of this perspective?
2. Ho often do you think about Him?3. How do you show His love?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we never stop thinking about him, longing for him, aspiring toward him, and speaking about him. " . Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power."
Billy Sunday
Monday, September 8, 2008
First things first
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40 ~ "The Greatest Commandment"
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
How important were the Commandments of God? Very important.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
(Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
The Commandments were the very essence of the Law, the very essence of life to these accusing Pharisees and Sadducees. But Satan had wormed his way into the Books of the Law and the hearts of its' defenders. The true essence of the Law had been forgotten; that God loved them more than anything and they (we) needed to love Him in the same manner.
God loves everyone more than we love anyone. He loves your spouse more than you do. He loves your parents more than you do. He loves your children more than you do. He loves your friends and neighbors more than you do.
The second greatest Commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. But first things first. You cannot even begin to love your neighbor, not with the love of God, until you experience the love of God. And oh, friend, how He loves you! And by experiencing His love you can then show His love. You cannot share that which you have not received; but once you have allowed His love to pour into you, it is unstoppable.
Remember, this love is not just emotion; this love is action. God's love was shown through Christ on the cross. How then, do you "love your neighbor"?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
How important were the Commandments of God? Very important.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
(Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
The Commandments were the very essence of the Law, the very essence of life to these accusing Pharisees and Sadducees. But Satan had wormed his way into the Books of the Law and the hearts of its' defenders. The true essence of the Law had been forgotten; that God loved them more than anything and they (we) needed to love Him in the same manner.
God loves everyone more than we love anyone. He loves your spouse more than you do. He loves your parents more than you do. He loves your children more than you do. He loves your friends and neighbors more than you do.
The second greatest Commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. But first things first. You cannot even begin to love your neighbor, not with the love of God, until you experience the love of God. And oh, friend, how He loves you! And by experiencing His love you can then show His love. You cannot share that which you have not received; but once you have allowed His love to pour into you, it is unstoppable.
Remember, this love is not just emotion; this love is action. God's love was shown through Christ on the cross. How then, do you "love your neighbor"?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Why is loving God the first and most important commandment?
2. Does 'loving your neighbor' imply sacrifice?
2. Does 'loving your neighbor' imply sacrifice?
3. How do you show His love?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we give God all we have, and get back all He would give. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power."
Billy Sunday
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May we give God all we have, and get back all He would give. Jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power."
Billy Sunday
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
What are we missing?
I just read this verse: “The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees.” (Psalm 119:64)
This made me think...if the world is really full of God's love, and I don't see it, then what is the problem? Now, I don't mean that I don't see glimpses of His love, sure I do. But David wrote that the earth is filled with it.
The he asked God to teach him.
What would happen if we asked God to teach us? Would we see much more of His love in the world? Would that encourage us? Inspire us? Enable us?
Will you ask God to teach you?
"You have not because you ask not." (James 4:2)
This made me think...if the world is really full of God's love, and I don't see it, then what is the problem? Now, I don't mean that I don't see glimpses of His love, sure I do. But David wrote that the earth is filled with it.
The he asked God to teach him.
What would happen if we asked God to teach us? Would we see much more of His love in the world? Would that encourage us? Inspire us? Enable us?
Will you ask God to teach you?
"You have not because you ask not." (James 4:2)
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