If the Load is Too Heavy – What are you Missing?

Scripture:

 

Matthew 11: 28 – 30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)

 

Observation:

 

Jesus had just finished denouncing cities in which He had performed miracles and done ministry and yet the people had missed coming to the realization of who He was and moving toward repentance. God’s power and presence should always move us to humility and repentance. This humility and repentance was missed by those in various places but should not have been missed by those in Capernaum. But even after Jesus’ denouncement of them, he makes the call to them we find in Matthew 11:28. This call is for any who catch hold of who He is, or may be a part of a family, community or country that has turned their back on Him. You come! If you get it come to me and I will give you rest. Whatever we may be facing today, we can come to Him and be accepted and given rest for our soul. Coming to Jesus you will find one who judges clearly and righteously but also one who is gently and humble in His heart.

 

Application:

We can easily miss the power and presence of God in our midst and we can become so busy with life and ministry that we fail to experience rest for our souls. Jesus is the rest giver – and His calling on our lives is easy and light. He is not a slave driver or mean-spirited master. He is gentle and caring. Come to Him, repent and find rest. If my load is too heavy who am I serving and am I spending time with the one who is not being overbearing?

 

Prayer:

Lord, help me to never miss your presence and the miracles you perform. Lord, may I realize that serving you and submitting to you is not a burden but a way of life that is lifting to me and easy. While the work may become much and I become weary, when I return to you, I find my strength and peace. Let me not forget this. Amen.

Serving is Fishing for Men

Scripture:

 

I Corinthians 9: 19 – 24
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Observation:

Paul is not stuck in traditions that bind Him – he is free. Yet, he does not use his freedom for his gain but to win others by choosing to become a servant. He does not make his life about himself, but is willing to become what he needs to be for the sake of the gospel. He is running in such a way as to get the prize! His choosing to serve is his freedom. He knows he cannot win everyone, but his goal is to catch as many as possible. We too are not responsible to win everyone, but as many as we can. We are responsible to fish, the fish are responsible for their response.

 

Application:

We all have things we want for ourselves and at times a life that we desire to be lived on our terms. But for the sake of the gospel we must surrender. For the sake of others we must become servants. We could use our freedom of choice for selfish gain but they we would miss sharing in the blessing of the gospel.

 

Servants have made the choice to be just that, servants. They are doing what Paul is doing, connecting everything he does back a soul, when he says: “I make myself a slave…to win as many as possible. Paul believes that serving catches fish! May we go and do likewise.

 

Prayer:

Lord, there are things we want, but may we want you more. There are things we can do, but may we do that which causes other fish to be caught. May we be fishers of men with our lives of service using our freedom so others can be bound in your love.  In our Savior, Jesus the Servant’s name, Amen.

Standing and Delighting

Scripture:
Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked 
or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. 
Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked!  They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (NIV)

Observation:
Jesus said: Wherever your treasure is there will your heart be also.  The Psalmist knew that very thing and implies to us that “wherever you stand becomes the place of delight.”  If we find ourselves in a place or stage in life and we really don’t delight in it then we should move from that place. Blessed are those who listen to God’s advise and ways and does not stand in the same pathway with sinners and scorners. Sinners have decided to walk contrary to God’s ways and scorners are people who, have contempt or disdain towards a person or object they have considered despicable or unworthy. Disobedient people and disagreeable people are living unwise and unblessed lives.

The Lord is watching over us and how we live our lives and He blesses accordingly.  

Application:
Where do we want to live? That is a question lots of people ask themselves, but here it has nothing to do with geography and all to do with heart. It really is our choice to either follow after God and live in His ways or to go the way of the wicked.  We must choose and we actually do choose by our actions.

Our Choice: Standing and delighting in God and His ways or Standing and Delighting in the way of the ungodly.

The Result of Our Choice: Blessing or Perishing. No one makes the choice for us and no one forces us to how we live our lives.  

Prayer:

Lord, help me to choose you when I would rather choose my own way or the ways of those who don’t follow you. Help me not to be influenced by an ungodly system but rather to stand and delight standing in you.

Amen.

Character is more Important than Comfort

Scripture:

Ezekiel 24: ‘Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided.

 14 ” ‘I the LORD have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign LORD.’ “

Observation:

To pretend I fully understand all the aspects of this passage would be folly on my part. But what I do understand is the heart of God. His heart, as expressed in this passage is to come to Ezekiel and prepard him for what is to come. Due to the continual rebellion of the people towards God, action must be taken and God is not going easy here. It is God’s desire to cleanse us. Think of the provision of the sacrifices in the scriptures. These sacrifices were so that people could be clean. Yom Kipur, the day of attonement was so that people could be clean. Here we find them living UNCLEAN and in violation of God’s heart. Their impurity has become lewd. Lewd is best defined as evil, wicked, perverted and obscene. This is counter to the character God wants for us to live in.

Application:

Since God is concerned with our character more than our comfort, He will bring (as He did in this passage) a discipline upon us in whatever form it may take so that we will be changed. Verse 16 goes on to say:

16 “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears.

God knows what has become the delight of our eyes and our life and what we have fallen in love with more than Him. With one blow, He can wipe it away from us. Seek God, follow after Him so that our character can grow and we will not bring down His wrath, but rather His grace and glory.

Prayer:

Lord, there are things that have creept in and taken your place in areas of my heart. Help me to see you as the delight of my life and the joy of my heart. Help me to pursue the character you call me to above the comfort or desire of my own life. Thank you Jesus, that you stayed the course and kept God and His will as your delight. Amen.

Life in Perspective

Scripture:

 

Revelation 4: 11
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
   for you created all things,
      and by your will they were created
      and have their being.”

 

Observation:

 

Humanity is mentioned in this glimpse of heaven. Notice that we are listed as the created and that we were created by God’s will. We are not the praised, not the Lord and not God. Only He is stated to be worthy and the one to receive glory, and honor and power.

 

Application:

Whenever we place ourselves in the Lord or God role or believe we are called to receive some honoring and glorification, we miss our role. We are the created and we cannot have our being apart from God. As we praise God it reminds us to move into a posture of “laying down our crowns.” Our accolades are diminished in His presence and our posture becomes one of humility. If not, we miss our most precious and honoring place – the place of praising our Lord and God who is worthy. He is the creator and I am the creature!

 

Prayer:

Lord, remind me to never relish the honoring I receive and to never think for one moment I can live without you. It is because of you I live and because I experience life in you that my abundance flows. Apart from you, I do nothing. You are worthy God. You are creator and I am creature – I like it that way. Amen.

Living in Denial

Scripture:

John 18:17
“You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter.
      He replied, “I am not.”

Observation:

We know of Peter’s promise to the Savior -”you can count on me Lord.” But we also know of the reality of his denial. “I am not the guy you think I am,” says Peter. He could have easily gone down in history as a man who kept his promise and affirmed the Lord but rather, his flesh, personal concern took precident.

Application:

How many times have we told the Lord, “you can count on me!” only to turn the other way when counted upon? How often do we live in two places with a fractured heart with a deep sense of, “I am not the person people think I am?” It creates a deep ache in your heart and soul and often times is not responded to. We deny our own admission not only to the Lord, but to being human – needy – frail and weak.  Another type of denial comes in when we do not address those in our charge – friends and relationships (we have been charged in scripture with how to care for others) or our children. Children that begin to go wayward and we dismiss the fact that if we do not intervene, we are like Peter saying: “not me…” We shrug off responsibility to move to care and resolve in thier life.  Let us not deny our God, our faith, our family nor our friends. Let us not ever be ashamed of Jesus but be afffirming of his love and life.

Prayer:

Lord, it is easy to cover up, live in denial, miss our responsibilities and more. Would you give us the courage to move clearly and rightly and not miss the moment of affirming YOU and living in reality.  Give us courage. Amen

When was the last time you committed adultery?

 

Scripture:

 

Jeremiah 3: 6 – 10

During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. Because Israel’s immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD. (NIV)

 

Observation:

God feels violated and rightfully so. He desires faithfulness and Israel is out, “running around” with just about every thought, every idol, every anti-God approach. God desires to give her a release ( a written statement of divorce) for her infidelity to Him. The key here is this statement: “Because Israel’s immorality mattered so little to her – she defiled the land and committed adultery (idolatry with graven images out of stone and wood).

 

Application:

With the wide coverage of the admitted adultery by John Edwards, people are quick to judge and point fingers. Some who are committed literal adultery seem shocked by his admission while not looking clearly at their own. All of us however commit adultery against God each day. When we gravitate to that which is against His heart and way or we put our trust in something or someone other than Him – we commit adultery. God sees Himself as the groom and we are the bride!  Where in your life, and in mine are we not allowing God his rightful place? Where are we moving to infidelity in our faith and soul? Where are we not loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength?

 

Prayer:

Lord, help me to see areas in which I am unfaithful to you. Help me not to keep secrets and live in the shadows but to be open to you, showing you my deep love and keeping my heart intimate with you. May I live to make you smile and your heart dance. Amen

Who Do You Think You Are?

Scripture:

Isaiah 50: 1 –5 ; 2 Peter 1: 3 & 4

“This is what the Lord says… ‘When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst. I clothe the sky with darkness and make sackcloth its covering.”  The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.  His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (NIV)

Observation:

In this passage God is explaining His dealings with His people. It is their alienation of God and His power from their midst that is causing the temporary situation of distress they are dealing with. The Red Sea is dried up and the Euphrates River from which life sustaining water flows and fish for food are found. God is showing them His power and abilities with just a word – and to remind them just as the word can dry up the waters, His word can bring life to the weary. Note: His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him…..These two passages remind us:

·         God’s word brings life (Isaiah)

·         Our actions have an affect on how God reacts to us.

·         His word and precious promises allow us to participate in Him.

·         His word brings life (Peter)

 

Application:

If we think we have all we need and can make it on our own we only fool ourselves. As Pastor Jack Hayford spoke to our church today, he said: “As great as programs and outreaches are, without the heart of God touching what we do, we only have program and structure and no Spirit.” God is amazing and desires to bring life to us, by His word and promises. But, we must not move on our power and by doing so, move away from God. His desire is to give us the word – His word, that sustains the weary and to realize God’s words here. Does He lack the strength to rescue you? Does He lack the credibility to make certain His promise is true to us? You must answer those questions in the face of your current issues and heart condition. I will say, God is greater than all we face and His word will give us life.

 

Prayer:

Dear God, allow me to trust in you. Give me the courage to believe, without doubt that you can sustain me and heal me and bring me freshness. Your promises are real and they will take care of me. May it be more than words of old, or words on this page, but real to my heart. Amen.

Giving God Your Stuff

Scripture:

2 Kings 19: 14 – 16

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD : “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. (NIV)

 

James 5: 7 & 8

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. (NIV)

 

Observation:

Today’s reading if filled with twists and turns. Hezekiah begins his reign and “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done.” (2 Kings 1:3)  As we know, this is not always easy to do. Yet, Hezekiah trusted the Lord. In his years of rule, there are many who conspired against him and His God. False gods, accusations, warring against, lies and more are a part of the story and all to keep Hezekiah’s and Jerusalem’s deliverance from taking place. At one point, an army is marching out to get him and the enemy’s messengers bring word to Hezekiah of an impending loss and reporting how other countries have been destroyed by the Assyrians and so it will go with Hezekiah and Jerusalem. Hezekiah grabs the letter and after reading it, “spreads it out before the Lord.”  He takes each piece and lays it out before the Lord with the confident statement that God alone is “over everything.”

James harmonizes with the theme of Hezekiah when he reminds us to be patient, because the Lord is coming. It is as if to say, it will be all right, just be patient! But in your patience stand firm. Hezekiah stood firm and believed giving it all to God was his way to trust the Lord for His soon coming.

 

Application:

Hezekiah lays all his “stuff” in front of the Lord. What a great picture. I can see him spreading out the pages of the letter. I can hear him say, ‘See Lord, I am not keeping this to myself, I am bringing every page, every line right to you. I am trusting in you alone and waiting patiently for what you alone can do. It is a great lesson for us to spend time with God and lay everything open to Him, every line, every thought every page. Go ahead and give God your stuff.

 

Prayer:

Lord, help me to lay my life and all my stuff before you. Not to run and hide, but to give to you and to trust you with patience because you will come to me. Amen

Iniquity in the Heart

 

Scripture:

 

Micah 2: 1 and 2

Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! 
At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud a man of his home, a fellowman of his inheritance.

Observations:

Micah is a book that can be divided into three sections:

1.   Chapters 1–3 mainly consist of oracles of judgment.

2.   Chapters 4–5 of oracles of hope.

3.   Chapters 6–7 begins with judgment and moves to hope.

            (Wikepedia)

 

Chapter two is that section of oracles and judgments as the prophet gives the “woe” list to us. Here he is pleading to those who plan to bring harm to another. He speaks against greed – the longing of one man to have what another has so much so that he stays awake at night and plots to bring the other man down. Their greed and plotting are to defraud another of his home and inheritance. Simple because they have the power to bring ruin on another they do it.

 

Application:

We have seen this very thing happen in our country of recent date, but it is not unique to our life and time. When someone defrauds another, lies about services or products, steals another person’s identity, then we have this very passage being lived out. But it can happen to us anytime when we allow iniquity in out heart. The question today is where does this live inside of you? Do you have that heart in you? It rises when someone wrongs us and we want more than justice, we want revenge. It rises when someone says, “take them to court.”  It rises when someone says: “I see opportunity to take advantage of another person here, and if I have to be dishonest in the process I will.” It is the greed and the covetous heart that drives the actions and this is what we must guard against at all cost.

 

Where do I hope for someone else’s failure?

Where do I covet something someone else possesses?

Where do I hold hate, grudges or disdain for another?

 

Answering these questions will keep us off the path of iniquity. Woe to us if we do!

 

Prayer:

Lord, help me to have a heart of grace in all things and towards all people. Remind me that vengeance belongs to you and not to me.

I thank you for how you care for me and love me, may I treat others the same. In Jesus the grace-givers name. Amen.