Background Passage: Acts 2:1-47; Hebrews 10:19-25
Today’s Focal Passage: Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, 25 not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
As we grow and mature in our faith, our life should become increasingly shaped by and through our identity as followers of Jesus. It would be great if this kind of life and priority transformation would happen at our moment of salvation, but it is a life-long process.
Imagine two images that might represent our faith commitment: the first a pizza pie cut into slices and the second an old-fashion wagon wheel with numerous spokes.
In the first image, if our faith commitment is represented by a single slice of pizza, at most it touches two other slices – at their edges – representing a faith that minimally impacts the pizza as a whole.
In the second image, if our faith commitment is represented by the cog in the middle of the wheel – which touches every other part of the wheel, then we see how a faith commitment that is central to who we are and therefore touches every area of our life will have a much more profound impact on our life and the lives of those we connect with.
Central to having a wagon-wheel faith, as opposed to a pizza pie kind of faith, is a strong commitment to a body of believers. Worshiping, serving and giving in a local church setting.
Regardless of whether the current culture says that being committed to the Church is cool or not, the call of the author of Hebrews is to “never give up meeting together,” know full well that our ongoing spiritual formation and health is tied directly to this!
Father, in a noncommittal world, help me to be a person who is committed to You and Your Church!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Life In Community Part Two: Experience the Church
Background Passage: Acts 2:1-47; Hebrews 10:19-25
Today’s Focal Passage: Acts 2:43-47
43 Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 So they sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. 46 And every day they devoted themselves [to meeting] together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.
The church is meant to be a place where we both give and receive. Too often, however, we relegate our “giving” simply to money and expect to “receive” a full cup or blessing every time we show up… and when we don’t, we leave feeling let down and as if somehow the church did not own up to its end of the bargain.
I think our consumer culture has warped our sense of what the church experience is supposed to be! On the giving side of the equation, money was only ever intended to be a small part of what we give… The Bible talks about gifts, talents, skills and passions that God has uniquely designed each of us with – to be used both within the church and out in the world. These gifts, talents, skills and passions are meant to be used to bless others and contribute to the overall ministry of the church.
On the receiving side of the equation, we’ll find that what we receive is often tied directly to the breadth and depth of our giving. The more we invest of our time, money, gifts, talents, skills and passions, the more God will fill us – but this can’t be the motivation behind the giving!
God will not be forced into blessing us because we have figured out some spiritual formula between giving and receiving. That’s not how He works. But as we give sacrificially – without expectations about what we will receive as a “reward” – we will find ourselves blessed beyond our wildest imagination – often in ways we never would have guessed.
God, help us to experience you in many ways this week – but especially through active engagement in Your church!
Today’s Focal Passage: Acts 2:43-47
43 Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 So they sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. 46 And every day they devoted themselves [to meeting] together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.
The church is meant to be a place where we both give and receive. Too often, however, we relegate our “giving” simply to money and expect to “receive” a full cup or blessing every time we show up… and when we don’t, we leave feeling let down and as if somehow the church did not own up to its end of the bargain.
I think our consumer culture has warped our sense of what the church experience is supposed to be! On the giving side of the equation, money was only ever intended to be a small part of what we give… The Bible talks about gifts, talents, skills and passions that God has uniquely designed each of us with – to be used both within the church and out in the world. These gifts, talents, skills and passions are meant to be used to bless others and contribute to the overall ministry of the church.
On the receiving side of the equation, we’ll find that what we receive is often tied directly to the breadth and depth of our giving. The more we invest of our time, money, gifts, talents, skills and passions, the more God will fill us – but this can’t be the motivation behind the giving!
God will not be forced into blessing us because we have figured out some spiritual formula between giving and receiving. That’s not how He works. But as we give sacrificially – without expectations about what we will receive as a “reward” – we will find ourselves blessed beyond our wildest imagination – often in ways we never would have guessed.
God, help us to experience you in many ways this week – but especially through active engagement in Your church!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Life In Community Part One: Identify With the Church
Background Passage: Acts 2:1-47; Hebrews 10:19-25
Today’s Focal Passage: Acts 2:41-42
41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.
Have you ever found yourself struggling with the church? Struggling to identify with the church? Struggling with whether or not you want to be a part of the church? If so, you’re not alone!
But as Christians, identifying with, and actively participating in, the church is not an option.
The church is described throughout the New Testament as the body or bride of Christ. How can we then separate ourselves from the church? How can we say that we love and follow Jesus – yet reject or ignore His body or bride?
Think about this in terms of human relationship you have. Can you think of a great friendship you have with someone, but yet you dislike his or her spouse? Is that really OK? Is there a limit to how strong your friendship can be with that person? If you don’t also love the person into which he has invested his life, will you ever be really close?
A part of following Jesus as a committed disciple is learning how to love the body of Christ – the bride of Christ – with all its (or even better – our) imperfections. The Church was never intended to be a place for perfect people (especially because they’re aren’t any), but instead, a place for the sick, needy and imperfect.
It is in our coming together as a blemished, imperfect people in need, that Jesus power is made perfect!
And isn’t that what we all really want: for God to show up in power and glory in our midst?
What kind of commitment(s) do you need to make today to Christ in the form of His bride and body?
Today’s Focal Passage: Acts 2:41-42
41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.
Have you ever found yourself struggling with the church? Struggling to identify with the church? Struggling with whether or not you want to be a part of the church? If so, you’re not alone!
But as Christians, identifying with, and actively participating in, the church is not an option.
The church is described throughout the New Testament as the body or bride of Christ. How can we then separate ourselves from the church? How can we say that we love and follow Jesus – yet reject or ignore His body or bride?
Think about this in terms of human relationship you have. Can you think of a great friendship you have with someone, but yet you dislike his or her spouse? Is that really OK? Is there a limit to how strong your friendship can be with that person? If you don’t also love the person into which he has invested his life, will you ever be really close?
A part of following Jesus as a committed disciple is learning how to love the body of Christ – the bride of Christ – with all its (or even better – our) imperfections. The Church was never intended to be a place for perfect people (especially because they’re aren’t any), but instead, a place for the sick, needy and imperfect.
It is in our coming together as a blemished, imperfect people in need, that Jesus power is made perfect!
And isn’t that what we all really want: for God to show up in power and glory in our midst?
What kind of commitment(s) do you need to make today to Christ in the form of His bride and body?
Sunday, November 7, 2010
More Than This Life Part One: What Life Is Not
Background Passage: Luke 12:13-21; Philippians 1:12-26
Today’s Focal Passage: Luke 12:13-15
13 Someone from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 14 "Friend," He said to him, "who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15 He then told them, "Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one's life is not in the abundance of his possessions."
Adventures in Missing the Point
Have you ever stopped to think about the kind of legacy you are creating for yourself?
Do you ever wonder if the example you are setting for your kids are setting them up for success or struggle?
There’s an old song by Harry Chapin entitled, “Cat’s in the Cradle,” and it portrays the progression of a relationship between a father and son. In the first two verses of the song Harry sings about a father who was so consumed with the distractions of life that he couldn’t find time for his son. In the final two verses, Harry sings of a father and son who have aged, and while the father now has time for his son, the son has assumed other priorities and has no time to give to his father.
It is a tragic song about a relationship lost.
As I look at our world today, and the consumeristic culture that we live within, I wonder how many of us are unknowingly living out this same tragedy?
We have been sold an “American Dream” that tells us we are the sum total of the toys we possess… or that “the person with the most toys when they die wins!”
What good will all the toys in the world do us if, in our attempt to amass all of these things, we have given up precious time spent with those we love most?
We only get one shot at life. We only get one legacy to leave behind. We only get on season of influence on our children – the next generation of leaders in the Church and world.
God, help us to choose well!
Today’s Focal Passage: Luke 12:13-15
13 Someone from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 14 "Friend," He said to him, "who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15 He then told them, "Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one's life is not in the abundance of his possessions."
Adventures in Missing the Point
Have you ever stopped to think about the kind of legacy you are creating for yourself?
Do you ever wonder if the example you are setting for your kids are setting them up for success or struggle?
There’s an old song by Harry Chapin entitled, “Cat’s in the Cradle,” and it portrays the progression of a relationship between a father and son. In the first two verses of the song Harry sings about a father who was so consumed with the distractions of life that he couldn’t find time for his son. In the final two verses, Harry sings of a father and son who have aged, and while the father now has time for his son, the son has assumed other priorities and has no time to give to his father.
It is a tragic song about a relationship lost.
As I look at our world today, and the consumeristic culture that we live within, I wonder how many of us are unknowingly living out this same tragedy?
We have been sold an “American Dream” that tells us we are the sum total of the toys we possess… or that “the person with the most toys when they die wins!”
What good will all the toys in the world do us if, in our attempt to amass all of these things, we have given up precious time spent with those we love most?
We only get one shot at life. We only get one legacy to leave behind. We only get on season of influence on our children – the next generation of leaders in the Church and world.
God, help us to choose well!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Life Worth Living Part Three: The Purpose
Background Passage: John 15:11-16
Today’s Focal Passage: John 15:11-16
11 "I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is My command: love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn't know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
Do you ever catch yourself asking questions like, “Why am I doing this?” or, “What’s it all for anyway?” Do you ever wonder if life is supposed to be about more – so much more – than what you’re experiencing right now? I think we’ve all been there from time to time.
The world tries to tell us that the “why” and the “what” behind all that we’re doing is meant to be about fulfilling our own pleasure quotas… having as much fun as can possibly be had. And when we’ve exhausted all of the fun that can be had in that situation it must be time to move on to the next option or opportunity. If you’ve ever chased one of these “fun” trails to its end then you probably know how expensive and defeating such attempts can be. Sure, there may be some memorable moments had, but in the end there is still an emptiness that remains unfulfilled.
You might be surprised to know that the Bible does not speak of fun. The word is never uttered in the Biblical text. Not once. The word joy, however, is referenced over 200 times. What’s the difference, you ask? Well…
o Fun is fleeting. Joy is long-lasting.
o Fun we pay for. Joy cannot be purchased.
o Fun is an experience. Joy is produced within us.
o Fun is a distraction the world tells us will satisfy. Joy is the real deal that comes in knowing Christ and following the plans He has for you.
When we see our lives as an opportunity to fulfill the plans of God, verses the plans we construct based on the pleasures of this world, we will become people who pursue joy through Jesus, because we know that nothing less can satisfy! Pray today that Jesus will show you which path (fun or joy) you are currently traveling on… and how best to make any changes that might be necessary.
Today’s Focal Passage: John 15:11-16
11 "I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is My command: love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn't know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
Do you ever catch yourself asking questions like, “Why am I doing this?” or, “What’s it all for anyway?” Do you ever wonder if life is supposed to be about more – so much more – than what you’re experiencing right now? I think we’ve all been there from time to time.
The world tries to tell us that the “why” and the “what” behind all that we’re doing is meant to be about fulfilling our own pleasure quotas… having as much fun as can possibly be had. And when we’ve exhausted all of the fun that can be had in that situation it must be time to move on to the next option or opportunity. If you’ve ever chased one of these “fun” trails to its end then you probably know how expensive and defeating such attempts can be. Sure, there may be some memorable moments had, but in the end there is still an emptiness that remains unfulfilled.
You might be surprised to know that the Bible does not speak of fun. The word is never uttered in the Biblical text. Not once. The word joy, however, is referenced over 200 times. What’s the difference, you ask? Well…
o Fun is fleeting. Joy is long-lasting.
o Fun we pay for. Joy cannot be purchased.
o Fun is an experience. Joy is produced within us.
o Fun is a distraction the world tells us will satisfy. Joy is the real deal that comes in knowing Christ and following the plans He has for you.
When we see our lives as an opportunity to fulfill the plans of God, verses the plans we construct based on the pleasures of this world, we will become people who pursue joy through Jesus, because we know that nothing less can satisfy! Pray today that Jesus will show you which path (fun or joy) you are currently traveling on… and how best to make any changes that might be necessary.
Life Worth Living Part Two: The Peace
Background Passage: John 14:15-31
Today’s Focal Passage: John 14:27-31a
27 "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard Me tell you, 'I am going away and I am coming to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over Me. 31 On the contrary, [I am going away] so that the world may know that I love the Father. Just as the Father commanded Me, so I do.
Peace in the Midst of Chaos
Jesus promised to leave His followers with peace when He left earth to return to heaven. And yet, if your life is anything like mine, it probably often feels like it is filled with anything but peace.
An evening crammed with driving the kids here, there and everywhere. Sitting down to pay the bills and wondering if there will be enough money to cover all of the month’s expenses. The car breaks down, a child gets sick, and you know it’s only a matter of time before the entire family goes down.
Yes, life often seems to be filled with anything BUT peace. Truthfully, Jesus in no way suggests that the situations of life will be void of stress, or pain, or struggle. For confirmation, just flip over to John 16:33. He doesn’t shield us from trouble; He guarantees it! Instead, what He offers us is peace in the midst of life’s chaos.
Knowing that we would face trials of many kinds during our life, Jesus left for us His peace to rest in when life’s circumstances seem to be on the verge of taking us down.
It’s ours to access. This means there’s a decision for us to make – an action required of us.
When life seems out of control, will you choose to pause long enough to invite the peace of Christ to enter your situation, knowing full well that Jesus has the power to change your heart, mind and circumstances?
Or will you opt to travel the hard road alone?
As always, the choice is ours to make.
Pause now and pray for the peace of Christ to enter the situation the hangs heavy on your heart today.
Today’s Focal Passage: John 14:27-31a
27 "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard Me tell you, 'I am going away and I am coming to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over Me. 31 On the contrary, [I am going away] so that the world may know that I love the Father. Just as the Father commanded Me, so I do.
Peace in the Midst of Chaos
Jesus promised to leave His followers with peace when He left earth to return to heaven. And yet, if your life is anything like mine, it probably often feels like it is filled with anything but peace.
An evening crammed with driving the kids here, there and everywhere. Sitting down to pay the bills and wondering if there will be enough money to cover all of the month’s expenses. The car breaks down, a child gets sick, and you know it’s only a matter of time before the entire family goes down.
Yes, life often seems to be filled with anything BUT peace. Truthfully, Jesus in no way suggests that the situations of life will be void of stress, or pain, or struggle. For confirmation, just flip over to John 16:33. He doesn’t shield us from trouble; He guarantees it! Instead, what He offers us is peace in the midst of life’s chaos.
Knowing that we would face trials of many kinds during our life, Jesus left for us His peace to rest in when life’s circumstances seem to be on the verge of taking us down.
It’s ours to access. This means there’s a decision for us to make – an action required of us.
When life seems out of control, will you choose to pause long enough to invite the peace of Christ to enter your situation, knowing full well that Jesus has the power to change your heart, mind and circumstances?
Or will you opt to travel the hard road alone?
As always, the choice is ours to make.
Pause now and pray for the peace of Christ to enter the situation the hangs heavy on your heart today.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Life Worth Living Part One: The Presence
Background Passage: John 14:15-31
Today’s Focal Passage: John 14:15-18
15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn't see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.
God in the Chaos
It’s dinnertime. You’re tired, and the kids are out of control. You muster up whatever strength is still within you to put forth yet another dinner, only to hear your kids say, “I don’t like this!” You’re not up for a battle tonight, but they seem to be as they turn on each other and begin to pick and poke right there at the table.
Before you blow an internal organ, or lash out at one of your “ungrateful” children, pause just long enough to acknowledge God in your midst.
Pray for the Spirit – the Counselor – to intercede on your behalf with strength, peace, discernment and a good way forward.
For better or worse, we as parents will face what feels like more than our fair share of scenarios like this… be it at the dinner table after a long day, trying to get out the door to church on Sunday morning, or through the grocery store with a less than helpful crew.
God provides us with the resources to make it through these situations with grace, mercy and most of our dignity in tact… but we must call on Him for assistance!
The next time you find yourself on the verge of taking out one of your offspring, pause and pray for God’s Spirit to change you and your scenario. You might be surprised by what He does!
Today’s Focal Passage: John 14:15-18
15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn't see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.
God in the Chaos
It’s dinnertime. You’re tired, and the kids are out of control. You muster up whatever strength is still within you to put forth yet another dinner, only to hear your kids say, “I don’t like this!” You’re not up for a battle tonight, but they seem to be as they turn on each other and begin to pick and poke right there at the table.
Before you blow an internal organ, or lash out at one of your “ungrateful” children, pause just long enough to acknowledge God in your midst.
Pray for the Spirit – the Counselor – to intercede on your behalf with strength, peace, discernment and a good way forward.
For better or worse, we as parents will face what feels like more than our fair share of scenarios like this… be it at the dinner table after a long day, trying to get out the door to church on Sunday morning, or through the grocery store with a less than helpful crew.
God provides us with the resources to make it through these situations with grace, mercy and most of our dignity in tact… but we must call on Him for assistance!
The next time you find yourself on the verge of taking out one of your offspring, pause and pray for God’s Spirit to change you and your scenario. You might be surprised by what He does!
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