John 12:
"[Judas] said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put in it." (v.6) Two things came to mind as I read Judas' reaction to Mary anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume.
First, although most of us would not ever think of ourselves as thieves, most of us are. We certainly wouldn't rob a bank or take money from someone's wallet or take something from a store without paying for it. But we may be on Facebook or other social media on our employer's time or use the employer's (or maybe even our church) office equipment and paper to print personal things. We may "borrow" file folders and paper clips and pens and all sorts of things and never give it a second thought...never asking if we can have personal use of them and never returning them. The biggie here, though, is our tithes and offerings. Not putting God first in the area of our finances is the worst case of thievery.
The second thought I had was about the phrase, "not because he cared about the poor". I was reminded of something Perry said a few weeks ago in his Upgrade series message called Stronger. He said he could understand people disagreeing with him but he just couldn't understand and was hurt by the lies people tell. There are people who deliberately try to hurt him and his family emotionally, even leaving notes in the mailbox for his wife and for his 3 year old daughter.
My thought that related this to this passage was these people say these things, not because they care about the lost, which is Perry's passion, they only care about their agenda. God is doing amazing things through the Bible teaching at NewSpring Church. I don't know why this would make people mean and angry except that they just don't love God.
Mark 12:
"And He called His disciples to Him and said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box." (v.43) Jesus is after our hearts. If our hearts are fully surrendered to Him we will not worry about not having enough. Like this poor woman we will surrender all we have for the glory of God including our money, our time, our gifts and talents.
When I was in Kenya, I met people living 5 to a house made of sticks and mud and about 10' across. They had no electricity, no running water, dirt floors. The children walked 2 or 3 miles each way to get to school. The mothers walked up to 5 miles to get fresh water and then carried buckets of it back to the house. These are some of the poorest people in the world. But on Sunday, they came to worship Jesus. They gave their small coins in the offering plate. They gave verbal testimony to the goodness of God. They sang and danced and praised God for all that He has done for them. How could I, who have so much, ever begrudge anything God asks me to give or do.
(As a footnote, many of these people have water in their community now because of the generosity of time and resources of the people of NewSpring Church.)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Blessed
I've been thinking lately about what it means to be blessed. In America we mostly think healthy, wealthy, good job, obedient children, loving spouse, beautiful home, nice car. Thing is those things could be a curse as easily as a blessing. They may draw me away from God rather than toward Him.
If I'm blessed when I have all this good stuff going on, what happens if I lose it? Is my contentment, my happiness, my blessedness tied up in my good life or in my relationship with Jesus? What if I get cancer? Or the stock market tumbles...again? What if my child becomes rebellious? Or my spouse leaves? What if an earthquake or hurricane or tsunami or wildfire or tornado destroys my home and all my possessions? What if I'm a victim of unspeakable violence? Or a disastrous accident?
At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives several "Blessed are..." the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness, those who are reviled because of their relationship with Jesus. And the result of this blessing? The kingdom of God, comfort, inherit the earth, satisfaction, receive mercy, see God, be called sons of God.
There is a lot more, in the eyes of God, to being blessed than what we usually think about. God is always after our hearts, our complete surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we do that we are living the "good life" even if we don't have all the other stuff. I consider myself blessed beyond my wildest dreams not because I have a lot of stuff, which I don't, but because Jesus pulled me from the pit of destruction and radically changed my life. And now I am seeing Him change the lives of my son and his family. That is the greatest blessing of all!
If I'm blessed when I have all this good stuff going on, what happens if I lose it? Is my contentment, my happiness, my blessedness tied up in my good life or in my relationship with Jesus? What if I get cancer? Or the stock market tumbles...again? What if my child becomes rebellious? Or my spouse leaves? What if an earthquake or hurricane or tsunami or wildfire or tornado destroys my home and all my possessions? What if I'm a victim of unspeakable violence? Or a disastrous accident?
At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives several "Blessed are..." the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness, those who are reviled because of their relationship with Jesus. And the result of this blessing? The kingdom of God, comfort, inherit the earth, satisfaction, receive mercy, see God, be called sons of God.
There is a lot more, in the eyes of God, to being blessed than what we usually think about. God is always after our hearts, our complete surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior. When we do that we are living the "good life" even if we don't have all the other stuff. I consider myself blessed beyond my wildest dreams not because I have a lot of stuff, which I don't, but because Jesus pulled me from the pit of destruction and radically changed my life. And now I am seeing Him change the lives of my son and his family. That is the greatest blessing of all!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Day 11 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 11:
"Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was." (v.5,6) Jesus had a very special relationship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus so the sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was seriously ill but Jesus did not rush to the scene. Not because He didn't love this family but because God - and Jesus - would be glorified by His delay. (v.3,4)
As followers of Jesus we too cry out to Him for help in time of crisis. But what if He delays in coming to our rescue? Often we take it as a sign that Jesus doesn't care. Maybe we think we didn't pray hard enough or maybe we didn't pray "correctly" - maybe we didn't use the right words. Sometimes we get angry at God and think He let us down. We may not understand why we are in crisis mode and "why me?" always seems to be a big question. "Why me" is really immaterial; the "why" for any crisis in the life of a believer is to bring glory to God through the way we respond to the crisis whether we are rescued or not.
Mark 11:
"And those who went before and those who followed after were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" (v.9-10) I had always thought hosanna was just another way of saying hallelujah but it is not.
Perry's first message in December as part of the Hope series was Hosanna. He told us that hosanna means save now or please save. So when I ran across hosanna in these verses, I looked up hosanna and hallelujah. Hallelujah means "Praise the Lord!" and guess what...hosanna means "Save now!"
I didn't doubt what Perry said last December; I just remembered what he said and wanted to look it up for myself. It's just amazing to me that, after a lifetime in church, I had never known the difference in these two words. Especially since hosanna is a common Easter services word in music and Scripture reading.
I was reminded as I read those words today that God wants to save now and that being set free from sin through faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest need of every person.
"Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was." (v.5,6) Jesus had a very special relationship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus so the sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was seriously ill but Jesus did not rush to the scene. Not because He didn't love this family but because God - and Jesus - would be glorified by His delay. (v.3,4)
As followers of Jesus we too cry out to Him for help in time of crisis. But what if He delays in coming to our rescue? Often we take it as a sign that Jesus doesn't care. Maybe we think we didn't pray hard enough or maybe we didn't pray "correctly" - maybe we didn't use the right words. Sometimes we get angry at God and think He let us down. We may not understand why we are in crisis mode and "why me?" always seems to be a big question. "Why me" is really immaterial; the "why" for any crisis in the life of a believer is to bring glory to God through the way we respond to the crisis whether we are rescued or not.
Mark 11:
"And those who went before and those who followed after were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!" (v.9-10) I had always thought hosanna was just another way of saying hallelujah but it is not.
Perry's first message in December as part of the Hope series was Hosanna. He told us that hosanna means save now or please save. So when I ran across hosanna in these verses, I looked up hosanna and hallelujah. Hallelujah means "Praise the Lord!" and guess what...hosanna means "Save now!"
I didn't doubt what Perry said last December; I just remembered what he said and wanted to look it up for myself. It's just amazing to me that, after a lifetime in church, I had never known the difference in these two words. Especially since hosanna is a common Easter services word in music and Scripture reading.
I was reminded as I read those words today that God wants to save now and that being set free from sin through faith in Jesus Christ is the greatest need of every person.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Day 10 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 10:
"So the Jews...said to Him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ tell us plainly.'" (v.24) "The Jews picked up stones to stone Him. The Jews answered [Jesus], 'It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.'" (v.31,33)
How blind and deaf these religious leaders were! They were awaiting the Messiah but when He arrived they didn't believe it, wouldn't accept that He was there. But what about us? How blind and deaf are we who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. When Jesus says go there, and we don't. When He says speak to that person, and we walk on by. When He says do this, and we say I need to pray about it.
"...[the shepherd] goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice...and they will listen to My voice." (v.4,16) Following the Shepherd and listening to His voice means doing what He says. There are way too many people who listen but never do what He says.
Help me, Lord, not just to be a student of Your word but a woman of action who will glorify You in all that I do by being OBEDIENT to Your voice.
Mark 10:
"And he said to Him, 'Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.'" (v.20) This is the story of the rich, young ruler who comes eagerly to Jesus asking, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus names some commandments - do not murder, steal, lie, - to which the young man answers in verse 20 - hey, I keep those commandments.
But then Jesus says there is one more things you need to do, "...sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (v.21) Jesus is not down on rich people. Nor does he tell every rich person to sell all he has and give to the poor. Jesus was after this young man's heart and his heart belonged to his wealth.
The first and greatest commandment is "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:29-31). Jesus wanted this young man to love God with all he had, including his wealth, and to love his neighbors - the poor - as much as he loved himself.
What about me? I'm a "good" person but am I ready to give up EVERYTHING for the sake of Jesus Christ if He should ask me to? Do I love those around me who are destined for an eternity in Hell forever separated from God? And not just the nice people in my neighborhood. Jesus hung out with the drunks and prostitutes and those cast out by a religious society. Do I believe that Jesus died for everyone? Even those I think are beyond hope?
"So the Jews...said to Him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ tell us plainly.'" (v.24) "The Jews picked up stones to stone Him. The Jews answered [Jesus], 'It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.'" (v.31,33)
How blind and deaf these religious leaders were! They were awaiting the Messiah but when He arrived they didn't believe it, wouldn't accept that He was there. But what about us? How blind and deaf are we who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. When Jesus says go there, and we don't. When He says speak to that person, and we walk on by. When He says do this, and we say I need to pray about it.
"...[the shepherd] goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice...and they will listen to My voice." (v.4,16) Following the Shepherd and listening to His voice means doing what He says. There are way too many people who listen but never do what He says.
Help me, Lord, not just to be a student of Your word but a woman of action who will glorify You in all that I do by being OBEDIENT to Your voice.
Mark 10:
"And he said to Him, 'Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.'" (v.20) This is the story of the rich, young ruler who comes eagerly to Jesus asking, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus names some commandments - do not murder, steal, lie, - to which the young man answers in verse 20 - hey, I keep those commandments.
But then Jesus says there is one more things you need to do, "...sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (v.21) Jesus is not down on rich people. Nor does he tell every rich person to sell all he has and give to the poor. Jesus was after this young man's heart and his heart belonged to his wealth.
The first and greatest commandment is "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:29-31). Jesus wanted this young man to love God with all he had, including his wealth, and to love his neighbors - the poor - as much as he loved himself.
What about me? I'm a "good" person but am I ready to give up EVERYTHING for the sake of Jesus Christ if He should ask me to? Do I love those around me who are destined for an eternity in Hell forever separated from God? And not just the nice people in my neighborhood. Jesus hung out with the drunks and prostitutes and those cast out by a religious society. Do I believe that Jesus died for everyone? Even those I think are beyond hope?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Worthy of Worship
We all worship something. For some it is their favorite sports team. Perhaps their children or spouse. Perhaps an actor or actress or other TV personality. Perhaps a pastor or other church leader. Perhaps we worship ourselves. But there is only ONE who is worthy of worship.
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human for, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:5-11)
"Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around His chest. The hairs of His head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full strength." (Rev. 1:12-16)
"...the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne saying, 'Worthy are You, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.'" (Rev. 4:10-11)
"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire and on His head are many diadems and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." (Rev 19:11-16)
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human for, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:5-11)
"Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around His chest. The hairs of His head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full strength." (Rev. 1:12-16)
"...the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne saying, 'Worthy are You, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.'" (Rev. 4:10-11)
"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire and on His head are many diadems and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." (Rev 19:11-16)
Day 9 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 9:
"The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight." (v.11) This man's sight was restored after he went to Siloam and washed the mud off his eyes. What if he hadn't gone? I believe he would still be blind.
How many times does Jesus work in our lives but we are not willing to do our part to complete the work? Jesus provides a better job or a raise but we still can't pay our bills because we refuse to live on a budget. We miss out on a life-long marriage because we aren't willing to wait for a person who loves Jesus more than us. A neighbor asks a question that opens the door to talk about Jesus and we miss the opportunity because of fear or uncertainty.
As followers of Jesus we have work to do. If we read our Bibles regularly, we will know what that work is for our personal situation.
Mark 9:
"But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe, help my unbelief!'" (v.22b-24)
There is nothing too hard for Jesus; all things are possible. Most church people would say they believe this but our lives are not characterized by that belief. We worry and wring our hands and have sleepless nights because we don't REALLY believe that Jesus can take care of our situation, which ultimately means take care of us. We worry about our health and our children and our finances as well as politics and wars and natural disasters as if the world is out of control.
At times it may seem so but God is ALWAYS in control...so help our unbelief, Lord!
"The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight." (v.11) This man's sight was restored after he went to Siloam and washed the mud off his eyes. What if he hadn't gone? I believe he would still be blind.
How many times does Jesus work in our lives but we are not willing to do our part to complete the work? Jesus provides a better job or a raise but we still can't pay our bills because we refuse to live on a budget. We miss out on a life-long marriage because we aren't willing to wait for a person who loves Jesus more than us. A neighbor asks a question that opens the door to talk about Jesus and we miss the opportunity because of fear or uncertainty.
As followers of Jesus we have work to do. If we read our Bibles regularly, we will know what that work is for our personal situation.
Mark 9:
"But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. And Jesus said to him, 'If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe, help my unbelief!'" (v.22b-24)
There is nothing too hard for Jesus; all things are possible. Most church people would say they believe this but our lives are not characterized by that belief. We worry and wring our hands and have sleepless nights because we don't REALLY believe that Jesus can take care of our situation, which ultimately means take care of us. We worry about our health and our children and our finances as well as politics and wars and natural disasters as if the world is out of control.
At times it may seem so but God is ALWAYS in control...so help our unbelief, Lord!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Day 8 - 21 Day Bible Reading Plan
John 8:
"So they said to [Jesus], 'Who are you?'" (v.25) That is the million dollar question, isn't it?
Jesus had just said, "I am the light of the world." (v.12) "...it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent Me." (v.16) "...the Father who sent Me bears witness about Me." (v.18) "...if you knew Me, you would know my Father also." (v.19) "...I am from above...I am not of this world." (v.23) "...unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins." (v.24)
All of this was said to biblical scholars, the religious elite, the keepers of the Law. Israel had been waiting for the promised Messiah for a long time. Maybe their hearts were so hard because there had been no prophets for 400 years. They read what God said but did not hear it with their hearts nor believe what their eyes were seeing: "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them." (Luke 7:22)
This is no different than today with a world that is perishing. Unfortunately many of those perishing are actively attending a church, relying on their traditions but not really being able to answer "Who are you, Jesus?" Ask for a salvation story and it is amazing how many church people will talk about joining the church or going on a youth retreat and never mention the name of Jesus, never even allude to I was a sinner in need of a Savior.
Mark 8:
"Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of man." (v. 33) That's pretty strong language for Jesus to use toward one of His chosen twelve. But Peter had rebuked Jesus after Jesus said He was going to suffer many things and be killed. I think He still uses that strong language to us when we try to thwart a work of God.
Often we want to fix people's problems or pray for God to fix them. We never want to suffer or have friends that suffer but maybe God is not ready to fix the problem. Maybe the person needs to wrestle with God over the issue. Maybe there is sin that can not be dealt with without this problem. Maybe it is a godly person that God wants to move to the next level and this struggle is necessary for that to happen.
We don't always understand why stuff happens to us or to those we care about but trying to stop the "happening" could be in direct opposition to what God wants to accomplish. Before we jump in with both feet, we should seek God's counsel on how to, or even if we should, help the person.
"So they said to [Jesus], 'Who are you?'" (v.25) That is the million dollar question, isn't it?
Jesus had just said, "I am the light of the world." (v.12) "...it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent Me." (v.16) "...the Father who sent Me bears witness about Me." (v.18) "...if you knew Me, you would know my Father also." (v.19) "...I am from above...I am not of this world." (v.23) "...unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins." (v.24)
All of this was said to biblical scholars, the religious elite, the keepers of the Law. Israel had been waiting for the promised Messiah for a long time. Maybe their hearts were so hard because there had been no prophets for 400 years. They read what God said but did not hear it with their hearts nor believe what their eyes were seeing: "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them." (Luke 7:22)
This is no different than today with a world that is perishing. Unfortunately many of those perishing are actively attending a church, relying on their traditions but not really being able to answer "Who are you, Jesus?" Ask for a salvation story and it is amazing how many church people will talk about joining the church or going on a youth retreat and never mention the name of Jesus, never even allude to I was a sinner in need of a Savior.
Mark 8:
"Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of man." (v. 33) That's pretty strong language for Jesus to use toward one of His chosen twelve. But Peter had rebuked Jesus after Jesus said He was going to suffer many things and be killed. I think He still uses that strong language to us when we try to thwart a work of God.
Often we want to fix people's problems or pray for God to fix them. We never want to suffer or have friends that suffer but maybe God is not ready to fix the problem. Maybe the person needs to wrestle with God over the issue. Maybe there is sin that can not be dealt with without this problem. Maybe it is a godly person that God wants to move to the next level and this struggle is necessary for that to happen.
We don't always understand why stuff happens to us or to those we care about but trying to stop the "happening" could be in direct opposition to what God wants to accomplish. Before we jump in with both feet, we should seek God's counsel on how to, or even if we should, help the person.
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