Genesis 37-50 tells the story of the life of Joseph--one of the greatest stories in the Bible. Two themes jump out at me from the story. One is the faithfulness of God. The story is told from the third person perspective, so we get to see how God is using all the injustices of Joseph's life to honor his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The other theme is the faithfulness of Joseph. Regardless of what happens to Joseph he consistently responds with renewed faith in God, whether it's being sold into slavery, being falsely imprisoned, or being lied to--he never loses his faith. God is faithful. Joseph is faithful.
Joseph didn't have the privilege of of reading the story of his life. He simply had to wake up each day and choose to believe that God would work all things out for his good and God's glory. I hope my life will be as inspiring of a story as Joseph's, but I suppose all I can do is wake up each day and choose to believe that God will work all things out for my good and His glory.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Psalm 13
1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
As David opens this Psalm he is feeling abandoned by God, but by the end he is focused on God's goodness. How does he get there? He goes from feelings of abandonment, to calling out to God for help, and finally to remembering his faith in God's steadfast love. It is almost like he is saying, life sucks right now. Help me. But regardless I have decided to trust in God. He has always been good to me. In the midst of the hard times he remembers his faith and chooses hope rather than despair. In the present he does not sense God's presence nor help, but he remembers it in the past and he hopes for it again in the future. Often in life our troubles pile up and we lose site of God. We ask for his help. We get no answer. David models for us the proper response in those times. Lean heavy on your faith--choose hope--and remember God's past goodness.
Like David, may I get through my worst of times based on my past decision of faith, my future hope in salvation, and my present remembrance of past blessing.
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
As David opens this Psalm he is feeling abandoned by God, but by the end he is focused on God's goodness. How does he get there? He goes from feelings of abandonment, to calling out to God for help, and finally to remembering his faith in God's steadfast love. It is almost like he is saying, life sucks right now. Help me. But regardless I have decided to trust in God. He has always been good to me. In the midst of the hard times he remembers his faith and chooses hope rather than despair. In the present he does not sense God's presence nor help, but he remembers it in the past and he hopes for it again in the future. Often in life our troubles pile up and we lose site of God. We ask for his help. We get no answer. David models for us the proper response in those times. Lean heavy on your faith--choose hope--and remember God's past goodness.
Like David, may I get through my worst of times based on my past decision of faith, my future hope in salvation, and my present remembrance of past blessing.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Acts 8-10
Acts 8-10 continues to cover the spread of the gospel and includes Saul's conversion as well as Peter's encounter with Cornelius. In chapter 10 Peter shares the good news of Jesus with Cornelius. Peter summarizes his message in 10:42-43, "he (Jesus) is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Peter presents Jesus as the judge, the fulfillment of prophecies, and the forgiver of sins.
I rarely summarize Jesus in that way--judge, fulfiller, and forgiver. When sharing the gospel I often testify to his fulfillment of prophecy and his forgiveness of sins, but his judging of the living and the dead I usually leave for a later discussion. But I think the beauty of Peter's synopsis is it casts Jesus in the light of the entirety of scripture. The beginning of the Bible is full of the prophets bearing witness--then He comes and forgives sin on the cross--and then at the end of the Bible He judges the living and the dead. For much of the Bible Jesus' coming is promised. He came and forgave. He is coming back, and when he does he will judge the living and the dead.
May I follow in Peter's example and present a fuller picture of who Jesus is.
I rarely summarize Jesus in that way--judge, fulfiller, and forgiver. When sharing the gospel I often testify to his fulfillment of prophecy and his forgiveness of sins, but his judging of the living and the dead I usually leave for a later discussion. But I think the beauty of Peter's synopsis is it casts Jesus in the light of the entirety of scripture. The beginning of the Bible is full of the prophets bearing witness--then He comes and forgives sin on the cross--and then at the end of the Bible He judges the living and the dead. For much of the Bible Jesus' coming is promised. He came and forgave. He is coming back, and when he does he will judge the living and the dead.
May I follow in Peter's example and present a fuller picture of who Jesus is.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Matthew 6-7
Matthew 6-7 is a continuation of the sermon on the mount. These chapters are chocked full of insight for living Christ-like lives, and a good summary of them all is found in 7:12: "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
Such a simple concept that I so often forget. How many problems could be avoided and relationships could be improved if I would simply follow this most basic of rules. I suppose its like most things--I get so caught up in my own wants/desires/needs that I end up ignoring those of others.
May I follow this golden rule today and thereby fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17).
Such a simple concept that I so often forget. How many problems could be avoided and relationships could be improved if I would simply follow this most basic of rules. I suppose its like most things--I get so caught up in my own wants/desires/needs that I end up ignoring those of others.
May I follow this golden rule today and thereby fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17).
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Genesis 18-30
I recently heard N.T. Wright say that reading the Bible should be like going to the symphony. You should walk away from the experience moved by the grand composition. You may not recall the specific notes of the 2nd movement, but you should be affected by the entirety of the experience. His point was that often we read the Bible in such small bites that we miss the greater narrative taking place (he clarifies that detailed study of Scripture is also worthwhile).
The thread that seems to run through Genesis 18-30 is the promise of God. Over and over again God repeats his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Hundreds of years pass in these chapters, while the heirs of the promise vacillate from faithfulness to deceitfulness; but God's faithfulness to the promise is the consistent over-arching element throughout. I imagine that as God composed his symphony, he anticipated that the listeners would forget some of the names and places; but I imagine that His hope would be that the listeners be moved by His faithfulness to the promise.
May my life today be affected by these ancient stories of God's faithfulness to the promise.
The thread that seems to run through Genesis 18-30 is the promise of God. Over and over again God repeats his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Hundreds of years pass in these chapters, while the heirs of the promise vacillate from faithfulness to deceitfulness; but God's faithfulness to the promise is the consistent over-arching element throughout. I imagine that as God composed his symphony, he anticipated that the listeners would forget some of the names and places; but I imagine that His hope would be that the listeners be moved by His faithfulness to the promise.
May my life today be affected by these ancient stories of God's faithfulness to the promise.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Psalm 7-12
Psalm 10 jumped off the page at me today.
Verse 1
"Why, O Lord, do you stand afar off?
Why, do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
I love the authenticity of the author. We have all felt this way in the past, if not now; but have we all expressed those feelings to God?
Then in verses 2-12 the author expounds on all the injustice he sees in the world; the poor oppressed and the helpless taken advantage of.
In verses 12-16 he says that he knows that God sees it all, and he has seen God help in the past. So take action!
I love verses 17-18
"O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed . . ."
"You will" . . . that is faith . . . "You will" says I know who you are. I have seen you work. I have heard your stories. And based on all of that I believe that You will. . . . The how, the when, and the why may never be answered, but I lay them at the feet of the One in whom I trust. He will. If not in this life then the next, but He will.
May my life exhibit a heart for the afflicted, fatherless, and oppressed; and may I have greater faith today in the One who will.
Verse 1
"Why, O Lord, do you stand afar off?
Why, do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
I love the authenticity of the author. We have all felt this way in the past, if not now; but have we all expressed those feelings to God?
Then in verses 2-12 the author expounds on all the injustice he sees in the world; the poor oppressed and the helpless taken advantage of.
In verses 12-16 he says that he knows that God sees it all, and he has seen God help in the past. So take action!
I love verses 17-18
"O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed . . ."
"You will" . . . that is faith . . . "You will" says I know who you are. I have seen you work. I have heard your stories. And based on all of that I believe that You will. . . . The how, the when, and the why may never be answered, but I lay them at the feet of the One in whom I trust. He will. If not in this life then the next, but He will.
May my life exhibit a heart for the afflicted, fatherless, and oppressed; and may I have greater faith today in the One who will.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Acts 5-7
Acts 5-7 covers stories of the rapid growth of the early church as well as the persecution that accompanied it. The apostles seem incredibly active and the text says that multitudes were believing in the gospel. At one point the apostles are again brought before the Jewish religious leaders and reprimanded for not stopping their spread of the gospel. The Jewish religious leaders aren't sure what to do with the apostles, but their most respected rabbi makes a profound statement in 5:38-39. He says that if this new movement is of man it will eventually fail like all the others before it. But if it is of God, we will never be able to stop it. So let's let these prisoners go and see what happens.
So a highly educated, respected, non-believer logically articulates one of the strongest rationales for faith in Christ. The gospel / Christianity did not eventually fail or putter out. In fact it reshaped the entire world and is still going strong today.
May that realty motivate my faith today.
So a highly educated, respected, non-believer logically articulates one of the strongest rationales for faith in Christ. The gospel / Christianity did not eventually fail or putter out. In fact it reshaped the entire world and is still going strong today.
May that realty motivate my faith today.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Matthew 4-5
Matthew 4-5 covers Jesus' temptation, the call of the disciples, and the sermon on the mount. 4:14-16 jumped off the page at me this morning: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in Heaven."
Often times the Bible is hard to understand. Frequently Jesus speaks in stories and parables that are confusing. However, that is not the case this morning. Jesus doesn't get much clearer than this. As a follower of Jesus I am a light, and I have the responsibility to shine. How do I shine? By my good works. Why do I shine? So others can give glory to my Father in Heaven.
May I bring light into the world today and may others be pointed to my Father in Heaven.
Often times the Bible is hard to understand. Frequently Jesus speaks in stories and parables that are confusing. However, that is not the case this morning. Jesus doesn't get much clearer than this. As a follower of Jesus I am a light, and I have the responsibility to shine. How do I shine? By my good works. Why do I shine? So others can give glory to my Father in Heaven.
May I bring light into the world today and may others be pointed to my Father in Heaven.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Genesis 1-17
Genesis 1-17 covers the stories of the creation, the fall, the flood, and the promises and life of Abraham. In those stories over and over again characters are responding in faith to the promise of God. Adam believes in the promise that through an offspring of the woman God will send One who will destroy the curse--he demonstrates that faith by naming the woman "Eve" because she was to be the mother of all living. Abel offered the firstborn from his flock in faith (Hebrews 11:4). Noah believed God's promise about the coming flood and built an ark. Abram believed God's promise and moved his entire life to a land that God would show him (Gen 11). Hagar believed God's promise about her son and returned to Abram's household. I think there is a pattern of faith in the promise of God throughout Genesis 1-17.
I think the boldest example of faith in the promise of God comes in Genesis 17. God re-confirms his oft-repeated promise that he would bless Abraham and his descendants. However, there is still one glaring oversight . . . Abraham is now 99 years old and has no son. So what does God tell him to do? God tells him to be circumcised and to circumcise all the men in his family from now on. Abraham says, "I am 99 years old. My wife is 90. We have been waiting for years on your promise of a son, and now you want me to snip off the tip of my baby-maker?!" (my paraphrase). Genesis 17:24, (no paraphrase here) "Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin." I can think of few greater displays of faith.
Abraham's faith is bold, illogical, painful, and counter-cultural. It is easy for me to say that I want the same type of faith in my life, but . . . wow, 99 years old . . . wow. . .
I think the boldest example of faith in the promise of God comes in Genesis 17. God re-confirms his oft-repeated promise that he would bless Abraham and his descendants. However, there is still one glaring oversight . . . Abraham is now 99 years old and has no son. So what does God tell him to do? God tells him to be circumcised and to circumcise all the men in his family from now on. Abraham says, "I am 99 years old. My wife is 90. We have been waiting for years on your promise of a son, and now you want me to snip off the tip of my baby-maker?!" (my paraphrase). Genesis 17:24, (no paraphrase here) "Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin." I can think of few greater displays of faith.
Abraham's faith is bold, illogical, painful, and counter-cultural. It is easy for me to say that I want the same type of faith in my life, but . . . wow, 99 years old . . . wow. . .
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Psalms 1-6
I found reading through 6 Psalms to be challenging. Each of them is loaded with so much truth, imagery, complexity, etc. that it makes it difficult to find one thing to write about. But I found one . . .
Psalm 53:3 says,
"In the morning, Oh Lord, You hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation."
I share at least one thing in common with David, the author of the Psalm; we both go to the Lord in the morning. I feel like I must be doing something right if I am even slightly in line with David, "the man after God's own heart". I like the feeling of participating in the ancient tradition of meeting God in the morning and then living the rest of my day in expectation . . .
Expectation . . . I need to emphasize expectation. How will God answer my prayer today? How will God use me today? What will God show me today? Who will God put in my path to serve today? What good is it to start my day with God if I don't carry with me a sense of waiting in expectation for His response? I expect Him to answer my prayers today, and I expect Him to use me to share the light of His love today.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Acts 1-4
Acts 1-4 covers Jesus's final words to his followers, his ascension, the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost, the birth of the church, and the bold witness of Peter and James.
What stood out to me the most from these chapters was chapter 4, verses 7-12. Peter and John have just been arrested by the religious "police". The religious leaders are quickly losing control of Jerusalem. The city is packed with people from all around who have come for Pentecost. Thousands of people are converting to the teachings of Jesus (soon to be labeled Christianity). The religious rulers ask Peter and John how they had healed a crippled man the preceding day. Peter answered (my paraphrase), "Know this: He was healed by Jesus' name. The same Jesus that you crucified and God resurrected . . . salvation is found in no one else." The religious rulers are astonished at these "un-schooled, ordinary men" and the only sense they can make of the situation is that these men had been with Jesus.
Peter's words to the religious leaders seem to almost jump off the page at me. He speaks plainly and boldly at great risk to his life, and when he finishes his audiences first thought is--this guy must have been with Jesus because there is no way an un-educated, ordinary guy could speak that way.
I want the boldness and power that Peter exemplified. I wouldn't mind if my audience thought of me as un-educated and ordinary, if their next thought was, this guy must be one of Jesus' followers. Acts 4:29 records part of a prayer that the church was praying after Peter and John were released, "enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." That is my prayer today.
What stood out to me the most from these chapters was chapter 4, verses 7-12. Peter and John have just been arrested by the religious "police". The religious leaders are quickly losing control of Jerusalem. The city is packed with people from all around who have come for Pentecost. Thousands of people are converting to the teachings of Jesus (soon to be labeled Christianity). The religious rulers ask Peter and John how they had healed a crippled man the preceding day. Peter answered (my paraphrase), "Know this: He was healed by Jesus' name. The same Jesus that you crucified and God resurrected . . . salvation is found in no one else." The religious rulers are astonished at these "un-schooled, ordinary men" and the only sense they can make of the situation is that these men had been with Jesus.
Peter's words to the religious leaders seem to almost jump off the page at me. He speaks plainly and boldly at great risk to his life, and when he finishes his audiences first thought is--this guy must have been with Jesus because there is no way an un-educated, ordinary guy could speak that way.
I want the boldness and power that Peter exemplified. I wouldn't mind if my audience thought of me as un-educated and ordinary, if their next thought was, this guy must be one of Jesus' followers. Acts 4:29 records part of a prayer that the church was praying after Peter and John were released, "enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." That is my prayer today.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Matthew 1-3
Matthew 1-3 opens with the genealogy of Jesus through his earthly father Joseph, covers Jesus' birth, early years, and concludes with John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River.
There are 6 fulfilled prophecies in these chapters--virgin birth, birth in Bethlehem, time in Egypt, Herod's decree to murder the all the babies in the region of Bethlehem, Jesus' home in Nazareth, and the ministry of John the Baptist. The first book of the New Testament opens with example after example of how all that was written before was pointing to Jesus. Perhaps these prophecies seemed contradictory or irrelevant to the original hearers, but as I read them now they fill me with confidence in the God of the Scriptures.
God has a plan. I have the privilege of seeing how that plan has worked out through the stories of the Bible, but His plan is still being worked out in my life. Often times I fail to trust God as I should. It is in those times that I need to be reminded of God's trustworthiness as demonstrated through the fulfilled prophecies of Matthew 1-3.
There are 6 fulfilled prophecies in these chapters--virgin birth, birth in Bethlehem, time in Egypt, Herod's decree to murder the all the babies in the region of Bethlehem, Jesus' home in Nazareth, and the ministry of John the Baptist. The first book of the New Testament opens with example after example of how all that was written before was pointing to Jesus. Perhaps these prophecies seemed contradictory or irrelevant to the original hearers, but as I read them now they fill me with confidence in the God of the Scriptures.
God has a plan. I have the privilege of seeing how that plan has worked out through the stories of the Bible, but His plan is still being worked out in my life. Often times I fail to trust God as I should. It is in those times that I need to be reminded of God's trustworthiness as demonstrated through the fulfilled prophecies of Matthew 1-3.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Starting late
Lest you think that I have already blown my new year's resolution of reading through the Bible . . . I have decided to start on January 8th and journey through the process with others from my church. You can't fail what you haven't started :)
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