“He is the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:17 CSB)
Jesus spoke to Nicodemus of the Spirit and the wind. “The wind blows where it will. You hear the sound of it, but you don’t know where is comes from or where it’s going. So it is with the Spirit.” In His statement, the word for “wind” and the word for “Spirit” are exactly the same in the Greek language. That may be one reason Nicodemus seemed a little confused.
Jesus spoke of the coming of a new Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to His disciples as He prepared them for His departure. He told them the Spirit would speak truth to them and remind them of all truth and would point them to Him. He would be the Enabler of the church, our Guide. He would dwell in us and unify us.
This is why we can say with the psalmist, “My heart is confident God… I will praise You, Lord… For Your faithful love is as high as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. God, be exalted above the heavens; let your glory be over the whole earth.”
Today, may the Counselor, the “One Called Alongside” us, the Spirit of truth impart wisdom, strength, and blessings to each of us today as we walk with Him.
May it be so, Lord. Amen.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
In Jesus’ Name
“If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14 CSB)
Somewhere along the way, somebody must have decided to add the phrase “in Jesus’ name” at the end of prayers before “amening” everything. Many of us do this now, as a result, without really thinking a thing about it, which is not likely what Jesus had in mind for this. Of course, this goes back to the verse above from John 14. The idea is that if we ask something of God in Jesus’ name, He will give it to us. The practice of adding this phrase to our prayers has produced in some folks, however, an attitude that borders on manipulation, maybe even on animism, where people attempt to control spiritual forces. Is that what Jesus had in mind when He said this to His disciples?
To ask “in Jesus’ name” means to ask as Jesus Himself would ask, which is to ask according to the will of God. It means to think through what you are asking for, being fully in tune with God, and to be as sure as you can be in faith that what you’re asking for is what Jesus would ask for. It means to ask with His integrity, to the degree that we can. And the key to it all is the Holy Spirit, who makes it possible for us to do that.
As you pray, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thinking and help you be so fully in tune with the will of God that when you pray “in Jesus’ name,” you understand what you’re asking, and that it is in harmony with the will of God.
Indeed, Lord, that is our prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Somewhere along the way, somebody must have decided to add the phrase “in Jesus’ name” at the end of prayers before “amening” everything. Many of us do this now, as a result, without really thinking a thing about it, which is not likely what Jesus had in mind for this. Of course, this goes back to the verse above from John 14. The idea is that if we ask something of God in Jesus’ name, He will give it to us. The practice of adding this phrase to our prayers has produced in some folks, however, an attitude that borders on manipulation, maybe even on animism, where people attempt to control spiritual forces. Is that what Jesus had in mind when He said this to His disciples?
To ask “in Jesus’ name” means to ask as Jesus Himself would ask, which is to ask according to the will of God. It means to think through what you are asking for, being fully in tune with God, and to be as sure as you can be in faith that what you’re asking for is what Jesus would ask for. It means to ask with His integrity, to the degree that we can. And the key to it all is the Holy Spirit, who makes it possible for us to do that.
As you pray, ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thinking and help you be so fully in tune with the will of God that when you pray “in Jesus’ name,” you understand what you’re asking, and that it is in harmony with the will of God.
Indeed, Lord, that is our prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Cast Your Burdens
“Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will support you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22 CSB)
A “burden” is generally a heavy object that has to be carried. A “beast of burden” is typically a donkey that carries heavy loads, or an ox that pulls a plow, or a horse that carries a rider. Carrying these heavy loads requires great energy that may be in short supply. Struggle and pain may be involved, and the only relief that comes is when the load is off-loaded.
People carry burdens of a different sort, but what is true of a beast of burden is essentially how those who carry a burden of heart or soul feel about it. The load is heavy. It takes a lot of energy that may not be there. Struggle and pain are often involved. But there is a difference. A beast of burden cannot do anything about the load it bears. We can.
We can cast our burdens on the Lord, and He will support or sustain us. In other words, we can bring our burdens before the Lord, and He will help us in one of at least two ways. First, He may help us “off-load” them. He may bring complete resolution to what burdens us, as He did with King Hezekiah. Hezekiah was burdened with illness, and God sent Isaiah to tell him to put his house in order since he was going to die. Hezekiah cast his burden on the Lord, and the Lord healed him.
Second, if God does not off-load our burdens, He will give us the strength to carry them and cope with them. Paul had his “thorn in the side.” Three times he asked God to remove it, but God simply said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” And God enabled Paul to live with that burden and to thrive in spite of it.
Lord, Help us today to cast our burdens on You and trust You with the outcome. Amen.
A “burden” is generally a heavy object that has to be carried. A “beast of burden” is typically a donkey that carries heavy loads, or an ox that pulls a plow, or a horse that carries a rider. Carrying these heavy loads requires great energy that may be in short supply. Struggle and pain may be involved, and the only relief that comes is when the load is off-loaded.
People carry burdens of a different sort, but what is true of a beast of burden is essentially how those who carry a burden of heart or soul feel about it. The load is heavy. It takes a lot of energy that may not be there. Struggle and pain are often involved. But there is a difference. A beast of burden cannot do anything about the load it bears. We can.
We can cast our burdens on the Lord, and He will support or sustain us. In other words, we can bring our burdens before the Lord, and He will help us in one of at least two ways. First, He may help us “off-load” them. He may bring complete resolution to what burdens us, as He did with King Hezekiah. Hezekiah was burdened with illness, and God sent Isaiah to tell him to put his house in order since he was going to die. Hezekiah cast his burden on the Lord, and the Lord healed him.
Second, if God does not off-load our burdens, He will give us the strength to carry them and cope with them. Paul had his “thorn in the side.” Three times he asked God to remove it, but God simply said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” And God enabled Paul to live with that burden and to thrive in spite of it.
Lord, Help us today to cast our burdens on You and trust You with the outcome. Amen.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Dressing Up
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 13:14a CSB)
If you live in a very cold climate like Alaska and need to go outside, before you leave your warm house you put on a coat. Then probably another one. And maybe even another one. If you are in the military, before you report for duty, you put on your uniform, which has to be worn properly. If you work around radiation, before you engage in your work, you put on your lead-lined radiation suit. Before you go swimming, you put on swimwear. We all put on some sort of apparel every day, and we do so for three specific reasons: protection, identity, and appropriateness.
Like putting on clothing, we are to “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ. We do so for protection against the temptations of the world and the flesh. We do so because it identifies us as belonging to Him and serving as His witnesses. And we do because it is the most appropriate clothing for one who belongs to Christ. It is the right thing to do.
As we approach this day and any day, may we put on the Lord Jesus Christ so that we may live effectively and bring glory to Him.
Lord, In faith we commit this day to You and seek to honor You. Amen.
If you live in a very cold climate like Alaska and need to go outside, before you leave your warm house you put on a coat. Then probably another one. And maybe even another one. If you are in the military, before you report for duty, you put on your uniform, which has to be worn properly. If you work around radiation, before you engage in your work, you put on your lead-lined radiation suit. Before you go swimming, you put on swimwear. We all put on some sort of apparel every day, and we do so for three specific reasons: protection, identity, and appropriateness.
Like putting on clothing, we are to “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ. We do so for protection against the temptations of the world and the flesh. We do so because it identifies us as belonging to Him and serving as His witnesses. And we do because it is the most appropriate clothing for one who belongs to Christ. It is the right thing to do.
As we approach this day and any day, may we put on the Lord Jesus Christ so that we may live effectively and bring glory to Him.
Lord, In faith we commit this day to You and seek to honor You. Amen.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Why This Sacrifice?
“When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.” (Luke 23:33 CSB)
Why couldn’t God simply forgive us without Jesus having to go to the cross? It would seem so much simpler and involve far less pain to just leave the crucifixion out altogether and say, “You’re forgiven.”
Several reasons make that impossible. First, the absolute holiness of God and the justice of God require our condemnation and destruction. Our minds are incapable of grasping the reality and validity of this, but God’s perfect holiness cannot permit sin. It requires the destruction of anyone who violates it.
Second, if God were to simply say, “You’re forgiven,” we would have no real appreciation of what our forgiveness cost Him. That would say to us that sin is no big deal, that it’s important, but that in the long run sin is ok. The cross communicates the cost.
Third, the cost of our forgiveness communicates the love behind the event, the motivation of God’s heart. In the cross we see God’s compassion for His lost children, His desire to provide us with an opportunity for eternal life, and His invitation to faith.
Lord, What You have done for us, for me, is still beyond my ability to comprehend. All I can do is accept this in faith and thank You for it, and then live my life in honor of You. Amen
Why couldn’t God simply forgive us without Jesus having to go to the cross? It would seem so much simpler and involve far less pain to just leave the crucifixion out altogether and say, “You’re forgiven.”
Several reasons make that impossible. First, the absolute holiness of God and the justice of God require our condemnation and destruction. Our minds are incapable of grasping the reality and validity of this, but God’s perfect holiness cannot permit sin. It requires the destruction of anyone who violates it.
Second, if God were to simply say, “You’re forgiven,” we would have no real appreciation of what our forgiveness cost Him. That would say to us that sin is no big deal, that it’s important, but that in the long run sin is ok. The cross communicates the cost.
Third, the cost of our forgiveness communicates the love behind the event, the motivation of God’s heart. In the cross we see God’s compassion for His lost children, His desire to provide us with an opportunity for eternal life, and His invitation to faith.
Lord, What You have done for us, for me, is still beyond my ability to comprehend. All I can do is accept this in faith and thank You for it, and then live my life in honor of You. Amen
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
“The Sky Is Falling”
“When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3 CSB)
Remember “Chicken Little?” He got hit on the head by a falling acorn and concluded that the sky was falling. Told everybody he saw. Panic mode.
The verse quoted above is in that same vein. The question was posed by a pessimist, a cynic, who sees the shape the world is in and advises people to run for their lives. The idea is that when all the essentials of right living are virtually non-existent in a society, there really is nothing much that righteous people can do. So, we may as well sit down and shut up and give up. But believers have a response to this, as indicated in the rest of Psalm 11.
The first response is to remember. We remember that God is sovereign. God sees everything. He knows everything. Nothing escapes His notice, and He knows those who do evil. He knows also those who live rightly. And He reminds us that His judgment is coming. The triumph of His sovereignty will be forthcoming.
Our second response is to trust. We trust God with our hearts, our lives, our very souls. We also trust Him and believe that He will carry out His will. He is thus our Refuge. So, to Him we go and find rest and peace.
The pessimist, like Chicken Little, is wrong. The righteous remember and trust.
Lord, Guide our thoughts today once again to Your sovereignty and Your power. Help us to respond with remembrance and trust throughout the day. Amen.
Remember “Chicken Little?” He got hit on the head by a falling acorn and concluded that the sky was falling. Told everybody he saw. Panic mode.
The verse quoted above is in that same vein. The question was posed by a pessimist, a cynic, who sees the shape the world is in and advises people to run for their lives. The idea is that when all the essentials of right living are virtually non-existent in a society, there really is nothing much that righteous people can do. So, we may as well sit down and shut up and give up. But believers have a response to this, as indicated in the rest of Psalm 11.
The first response is to remember. We remember that God is sovereign. God sees everything. He knows everything. Nothing escapes His notice, and He knows those who do evil. He knows also those who live rightly. And He reminds us that His judgment is coming. The triumph of His sovereignty will be forthcoming.
Our second response is to trust. We trust God with our hearts, our lives, our very souls. We also trust Him and believe that He will carry out His will. He is thus our Refuge. So, to Him we go and find rest and peace.
The pessimist, like Chicken Little, is wrong. The righteous remember and trust.
Lord, Guide our thoughts today once again to Your sovereignty and Your power. Help us to respond with remembrance and trust throughout the day. Amen.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Unity vs Disunity
“Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.” (Luke 22:3 CSB)
Hollywood’s “spin doctors” have attempted to portray Judas as a victim, as a man who was himself betrayed and who was the real victim in the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus. Such attempts are purely speculative in the extreme and wholly untrue. The Bible records the truth about Judas. He was money-oriented. Satan found an open door. Judas cooperated willingly and knowingly with the opponents of Jesus and betrayed Him. The twelve had enjoyed a strong unity previously, but he introduced the element of disunity among the disciples when he decided to go to the chief priests and Pharisees.
And oddly enough, from Judas’ negative example, we learn at least one positive lesson. We learn that when unity is solid, it is like armor plating. When disunity enters or is allowed to enter, it is like a corrosive acid, or like a cancer. The solidarity of unity produces synergistic strength, where we are stronger together beyond the sum of our parts than we would be alone. Disunity or divisiveness, on the other hand, weakens us and makes us vulnerable to the attacks of Satan.
So, how do we achieve and maintain unity? First, we make it our number one priority to follow Jesus over everything else. Second, we learn what the Bible teaches us about the will of God and give His will priority over our own or anyone else’s. Third, we live a life focused on humility before God rather than pride and ego, which are the real sources of disunity. Fourth, we ask God to help us have the spiritual perception to realize when Satan is trying to get his foot in the door and create disunity, so that we can take our stand together against him. Fifth, we rely on the Holy Spirit to fight this battle and help us overcome all disunity and develop unity as fully as possible.
Lord, Help us to recognize how important unity is to You and to us as Your people. Help us to live together as Your people in the full unity that pleases and honors You. Amen.
Hollywood’s “spin doctors” have attempted to portray Judas as a victim, as a man who was himself betrayed and who was the real victim in the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus. Such attempts are purely speculative in the extreme and wholly untrue. The Bible records the truth about Judas. He was money-oriented. Satan found an open door. Judas cooperated willingly and knowingly with the opponents of Jesus and betrayed Him. The twelve had enjoyed a strong unity previously, but he introduced the element of disunity among the disciples when he decided to go to the chief priests and Pharisees.
And oddly enough, from Judas’ negative example, we learn at least one positive lesson. We learn that when unity is solid, it is like armor plating. When disunity enters or is allowed to enter, it is like a corrosive acid, or like a cancer. The solidarity of unity produces synergistic strength, where we are stronger together beyond the sum of our parts than we would be alone. Disunity or divisiveness, on the other hand, weakens us and makes us vulnerable to the attacks of Satan.
So, how do we achieve and maintain unity? First, we make it our number one priority to follow Jesus over everything else. Second, we learn what the Bible teaches us about the will of God and give His will priority over our own or anyone else’s. Third, we live a life focused on humility before God rather than pride and ego, which are the real sources of disunity. Fourth, we ask God to help us have the spiritual perception to realize when Satan is trying to get his foot in the door and create disunity, so that we can take our stand together against him. Fifth, we rely on the Holy Spirit to fight this battle and help us overcome all disunity and develop unity as fully as possible.
Lord, Help us to recognize how important unity is to You and to us as Your people. Help us to live together as Your people in the full unity that pleases and honors You. Amen.
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