When God Breaks My Rules

Scripture: But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Luke 13:14

Observation: Let me get this straight: A woman who was severely disabled for 2 decades, so dehabilitating that she could not even stand upright, was healed instantaneously. On top of that she began to praise God. What is the response of her “pastor?” Indignation that a religious rule had been broken.

Application: How could this religious leader not be thrilled? A woman in his flock who suffered for 18 years has been freed from pain. She is praising God (which is his ultimate goal as a religious professional). Yet he is upset. Upset because he is jealous, maybe? Upset because he is controlling? Upset because God chose to work and did not consult him? All the signs of serious spiritual abuse are here—who legislates when people can and cannot receive healing anyway?

Prayer: God, may I not thwart or condemn your work—even if it falls outside my expectations. Even if you don’t ask my permission first. May I be open to how you want to move and minister in ways that might even contradict “the way we’ve always done it.”

When I Don't Trust God

Scripture: And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Luke 12:29-31

Observation: Jesus offers a simple teaching which is easy to understand and difficult to practice. Don’t worry. Don’t worry about how God will provide what you need; seek the kingdom and believe that God will.

Application: What makes this difficult is that at my core, I do not trust God. I need more than His word—I need his detailed plan. Once he shares that plan with me, then I will be able to trust him. Problem with this approach is that God needs not, and most of the time does not, share his plans with people. He shares his promise, and calls them to believe. Refusal to trust God is worry. Worry then, is a lack of faith. It is a choice not to trust.
I know I am in a place right now where I think I need to see God’s plan. I do not trust that he knows what he is doing or is able to accomplish what I think I need. This is not my responsibility. My job is to seek the kingdom and trust God knows what I truly need and will provide it at the right time.

Prayer: God, forgive my lack of faith, my worry. You know what I need. You will provide that as I seek your kingdom. Show me how to seek your kingdom today, Tuesday, so that you may add to me what I need.

Give From Within

Scripture: But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, n everything is clean for you. Luke 11:41

Observation: Jesus is responding to a religious professional who is aghast that Jesus did not ceremonially wash his hands before a meal. Jesus retorts that the real rules people should keep are not external, but internal. Instead of following traditions of men to please God, give your heart.

Application: Someone who prays before the meal is holding to a tradition, but if the ensuing conversation is dishonoring to God, then what is the point of the ceremony? Jesus would rather me give of my heart—thankful for the meal, seeking His opportunities during the conversation—than he would a tip of the hat to Him which I promptly ignore. What are rituals I follow that are external? Where is God calling me to give from what is within? I happily give 10% of my income back to God; where is the tithe of my heart?

Prayer: God, show me today traditions I follow that are not in sync with my heart. Show me where I need to give alms from within.

Who is Worthy?

Scripture: And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”… “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy…” Luke 7:4,6

Observation: Luke 7 seems to deal with the issue of worth. Jewish officials believe a centurion is worthy for Jesus to do him a favor. When Jesus comes near, the centurion waves him off by saying, “I am not worthy.” John sends word to Jesus asking if he is worthy to be the one they have waited for. An unworthy woman washes Jesus’ feet, while the religious people watch on and comment on her unworthiness. Jesus rebukes the generation for failing to recognize his worth.

Application: It seems Jesus brings a different idea of worth to the conversation. People value worth by conformity, accomplishment, adherence to expectations. Jesus values worth by humility, child-like faith, personal recognition of sin, and going in peace. Which value system mirrors mine?

Prayer: God, I confess I am more impressed by accomplishment than humility. I ascribe worth to getting it done over being at peace with God and others. I’m not sure I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness (Ps 84). Help me today to value what you value, and give worth to what you deem worthy.

I Can't Get No....

Scripture: Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Luke 6:21

Observation: Those who are hungry now—physically and spiritually—are blessed because God will satisfy them later. Maybe later in life or ultimately in the kingdom.

Application: Jessica and I spent a day hungry yesterday, and did not realize it until we talked late last night. Hungry for something we are longing for God to do. Hungry because our needs outweigh our haves. With our needs, we agreed God could provide and that our hunger is due in part to choices we have made to try to honor Him with our finances. But we still are hungry. In the other area, the jury is still out. I still don’t see His satisfaction on the horizon. But if I am hungering for the right thing, I have to hold out hope God will keep his word and satisfy me.

Prayer: God, help us hunger for the right things. Increase our hunger for you and your kingdom. Fill us with the hope of satisfaction.

When I Know I Won't Catch Anything

Scripture: And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets”…And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Luke 5:5,10

Observation: Simon had no success fishing all night, as hard as he worked. Yet because Jesus asked, he lowered the net again and caught tons of fish. Later Jesus says that if Simon will continue to follow him, he will catch men in the same way. I am sure Simon thought Jesus was crazy, or knew nothing about fishing, yet he gave it a shot anyways.

Application: There are times when Jesus’ call for me to share my faith seems like it will also be unsuccessful. Especially when I have shared and shared and felt that no men were ever “caught.” Yet instead of giving up, I need to listen to Jesus and heed his call to put my net in the water again. As crazy as Jesus leadings might be, as unsuccessful as his plans may seem to me, I need to follow him. I might be just as surprised as Simon that God will use my worn and weary nets to catch men for him.

Prayer: God, don’t let me decide ahead of time that I won’t see anyone come to Christ today. Give me the faith of Simon, even if I am tired or worn out, to take whatever shots you give me to share my faith with others.

And Jesus, Full of the Holy Spirit...

Scripture: And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit…And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee…The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… Luke 4:5,14,18

Observation: In Luke 4, we see Jesus relying upon the Holy Spirit. He is filled with the spirit, led by the spirit, exercises the power of the spirit, and has the Spirit upon him. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit is not just reserved for Jesus, but is a pattern for all who would follow him.

Application: I can expect that if I am filled with the Spirit, I can be led by him and used by him as well. What I need to discover is how I can be filled with the spirit. Scripture says: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 Walking by the Spirit is not some spiritual mumbo-jumbo. Walking by the spirit is the normal experience of every believer. This is what Paul meant back in Galatians 2:20: It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Walking by the Spirit means accepting by faith that Christ lives in me and has given me power over my passions. I can choose in every situation whether I will respond the way I want, or by the Spirit’s help, to respond the way God wants and empowers me to do. Will I daily decide to continue and trust his power in my life?

Prayer: God, As I continue to grow in my understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit, help me to follow Your example and walk by the Spirit. Thank you for your modeling of this life and your promise I can live it as well. Show me today areas where I am walking by myself and not in step with your Spirit.

Slow to Anger, Rich in Love

Scripture: The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Psalm 145:8

Observation: God is slow to anger. In Acts 2, Peter stands before the very people who crucified the Messiah—the One God sent to rescue them, and extends an offer of forgiveness.

Application: If God can be slow to anger and rich in love specifically to people who rejected and murdered him, what right do I have to be quick to anger?

Prayer: God, I am quick to anger. I am not rich in love. The antidote to both of these is Your Holy Spirit working in my life. Please be my Helper (John 14:6) this week in slowing my anger and enriching my love towards my kids, wife, and dog.

Judged By Deeds or Names?

Scripture: And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done…And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12,15

Observation: One day people will be judged using these books. Either by their deeds or by their names. Either by what they have done in life, or by what Christ has done for them. This will be a pass-fail judgment. Sadly, everyone who tries to stand on his or her actions in life will perish at this judgment. Only those who stand on the act of Christ will survive.

Application: I must remember that the key to this judgment is faith in Christ. Do I believe this? Or do I think that somehow, God will grade on a curve? This passage reminds me that the only way is Jesus.

Prayer: God, thank you for delivering me from my sin and my deeds. Thank you that you wrote my name down in your book. Holy Spirit, help me to point others towards Jesus today.

No One Knows His Name

Scripture: 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. Revelation 19:12

Observation: This is part of a majestic and terrifying description of Jesus, riding on a white horse, to lead the armies of heaven in a final battle with the forces of evil. Amidst this description is the line “he has a name that no one knows but himself.” Amazingly, a bible that has gone to great lengths to describe and share with us the names of Jesus withholds this one. We know many names of Jesus, each describing a different part of his character or role. He is the Christ, the Word of God, Faithful and True, Immanuel , Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and so much more. Yet John tells us this name is one no one knows. Why? Maybe this shows us that as much as we strive to know Jesus, to build a relationships with him, we must be reminded that Jesus is an infinite God, not merely a man. There are depths and mysteries to his transcendence we can never plumb. It may be this name will one day be revealed to us, or maybe not. But we know this: there is more to Christ than we could ever conceive with our limited minds.

Application: I must walk a balance of friendliness and godly fear around Jesus. He is my friend and he is my God. I can know him, and yet, there are things I will never know, at least down here. Strangely, this encouraged more than discourages me. There will always be more for me to know about the person of Jesus. Even after I have read the bible 100 times, I will have miles to go.

Prayer: Jesus, I honor you today. You are faithful and true, and yet you are also the only one in the universe who has a name no one knows. No one has power over you. Help me to come to you with a balance of intimacy and respect. Show me how to live in love with and in awe of you.

Those Who Had Conquered

Scripture: And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. Revelation 15:2

Observation: Before the 7 final judgments fall, John sees a large group in heaven standing by a sea of glass. These are the ones who conquered the beast. Satan may have conquered them through death, but they have conquered him by life after death, through the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony (Rev. 12:11). They get the last laugh because they get to see Satan’s ultimate and permanent defeat.

Application: Why does it say they had conquered instead of the more religiously correct, “Christ conquered through them?” Is there some power or victory we get to have? I know that whatever the victory was, it was not achieved through their own willpower or discipline, but by the blood of the lamb and the words of their testimony. How can I rely on these two things so I can also be a conqueror in my life?

Prayer: God, you have been speaking to me this last month about overcoming. This is not a language I feel comfortable using. But open me up to your word, especially verses like Revelation 15:2. Help me to receive all you want me to know and learn about conquering and victory over darkness in my life and others.

Only As He Allows

Scripture: Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. Revelation 13:7

Observation: During the last days, the beast (probably a world leader) will rise to power and one act will be to successfully make war against believers. The key word here in the verse is allowed. God allows this ‘success’ for his purposes.

Application: I must remember as I read Revelation that at all times God is in control and his plan is intact. Satan, the antichrist, judgments, even the apparent defeat of the saints only happen as allowed by God. At no time is God’s kingdom in serious jeopardy.

Prayer: God, thank you for your sovereign command over the kingdoms of this world. You are in control. Today, I trust your control in the conversation I need to have with my neighbor.

His Time Is Short--Yet Still He Fights

Scripture: Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 12:17

Observation: Revelation 12 pulls back the curtain on a conflict that has raged from before creation between Christ and Satan. Satan rebelled against God but was defeated and cast out so that there was no longer any place for him in heaven. But he lost more than that. He lost his power to accuse believers because when he accuses, we overcome him with the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. So, having lost his battle to overthrow Christ, and having lost his power to successfully accuse Christ’s followers, he furiously makes war on believers—those who obey God and believe Christ. He does this because his time is short. This war, while real, is the desperate act of a losing man.

Application:

1. Satan’s war against me is real.
2. He will lose this war, for we will overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.
3. My only defense against Satan is not tough words or ignoring him, but holding fast to Jesus.

Prayer: God, this war is real and rages even now, though I cannot see it. Give me perception to see Satan’s hand at work. Thank you for reminding me today to retreat behind the blood of the lamb, and of my need to hold to the testimony of Jesus. I proclaim you as the overcomer in my life. Thanks for fighting in my place.

What Shuts Heaven Up?

Scripture: When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Revelation 8:1

Observation: Revelation 8 is a breather, after the breaking of the seals of the seven scrolls. These scrolls reveal visions of God’s justice poured out on all who opposed him. Each scroll has been accompanied by terrifying sounds—thunder, cries of angels, voices of doom, earthquakes, and even people calling out for death to released them from the pain of judgment. But when the seventh scroll is opened, there is 30 minutes of silence.
Why silence? Was the angel so stunned by the words released that he was speechless? Looking ahead to what was revealed, we see horrors that even John cannot capture with limited human vocabulary. What will come—the trumpets and bowls of God’s judgment—is so unspeakable, that the angel is unable to speak.

Application: Reading through Revelation, the temptation is to dissect the book, to render it inert by the use of charts and diagrams. To not let the full force of its truth hit me. But what is coming one day is horrible—for those who have opposed God. Even though I know this means justice, I cannot help but hurt for those who have rejected God. Instead of gloating at their defeat, I shudder at a horror so great that they pray for death as a release.

Prayer: God, I have joined with others in attempting to share the love of Christ for 10 days. This truth from Revelation redoubles my effort. Help me to see people through your eyes—the love you have for them, the judgment that awaits if they reject. And let me be moved to pray for opportunities to tell them of your truth. Let the 30 minutes of silence motivate me to speak on the earth.