Weep No More

Scripture: …and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Rev. 5:4-5

Observation: No one is worthy. What a terrifying truth. No one, no matter how good they are, are worthy. But weep no more and behold the Lion. Jesus has conquered death and sin and evil, so he is worthy.

Application: Thinking today about the Lord’s Supper, and especially the admonition not to take the Lord’s supper in an unworthy manner. I think some people think this means that they examine themselves to see if they have been worthy enough in the last few weeks to enable them to take communion. But who is worthy to take communion? No one. Communion reminds us we are unworthy, but that the Lion has conquered and he is worthy for us. I am unworthy; my worth is found in Christ.
How would that change the articles I need to write, the email I need to send, the sermons I have to prepare, if I trusted the worth of God? How would that change the conversations, the family time, the choices I make today if I behold the Lion?

Prayer: God, help me in the many things I need to do today, to live not like I am worthy enough, but like a man who beholds the Lion who is worthy for me.

Can God's Heart Be Broken?

Scripture: …how I have been broken over their whoring heart that has departed from me and over their eyes that go whoring after their idols. Ezekiel 6:9 ESV

Observation: God foretells an upcoming judgment against his own people. He is going to make his own people an example to the world of what happens when God is against you. As horrible as this is, something powerful is happening in the heart of God. He is broken. It is always tricky to assign emotions to God, since his ways are not like our ways. But here, God himself gives us language to describe how he is feeling. God says that his heart is broken over the unfaithfulness of his people. The heart of God is broken.

Application: I struggle still to think of God as angry with me, disappointed when I do not follow him. These are not biblical thoughts. I know there is now no condemnation. But I often fail to consider that the God of the universe might be broken over my sin. That his heart might yearn for my faithfulness. That he loves me and wants what is best for me—and my unfaithfulness is not what is best for me. God cares deeply for me and his heart breaks when I go after idols.

Prayer: God, forgive me for wandering. I pray my heart would be broken over my sin like your heart is broken over my sin. Help me to align with you and rely upon you to be faithful.

Dealing with Dissension

Scripture: I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. 3 John 1:9-10

Observation: Paul is writing to Gaius, a pastor who is facing a troublemaker in his church. Specifically, this troublemaker, Diotrephes, is talking against leadership, refusing to yield to God-appointed authority, and actively refusing to support the missional ministry direction of Gaius’ church.
We do not know Diotrephes’ heart, except that he likes to put himself first. He may be an unbeliever, or a church leader. He may even be a well-meaning believer who is at odds with the leadership. If you sat and talked with him, he might point out all the ways Gaius is doing things wrong. He might even have a slew of verses to support his position.
But regardless of his position, his actions are wrong. Paul’s counsel is twofold: Walk in the truth and confront opposition.

Application: When I get whiffs of dissension, like all leaders do, I can tend to let that slide, to hope it will resolve itself. But part of a leader’s responsibility is to deal with dissension. The key is to make sure you are walking in the truth—both that your life is right with the Lord, and that your position is based on God’s word.

Prayer: God, I know that dissension drains me. I would often rather not deal with it. But good shepherding of people means helping them get on board with God’s direction. That requires truth and conversation. Will you show me when and how to deal with dissension?

When the Discipline is Over, Hope Remains

Scripture: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the LORD, for I am with you.
I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished." Jeremiah 46:28

Observation: Jeremiah is predicting God’s judgment on the nation of Egypt. At the end of this chapter, he speaks a word from God to God’s people: “I will not make an end of you. I will punish you, I will discipline you, but I will not end you.” Though God’s discipline is hard, it is necessary. And when the discipline is over, hope remains. For his kids, God always offers hope at the end of discipline.

Application: This is an element I need to bring into my discipline of my own kids…the promise of hope. The assurance that even though the punishment may be tough, when it is over, there is the hope of restoration. That we still love them even though we punish them. And when the punishment is over, there are not lingering consequences—they are fully back in the family. Actually, they never left.

Prayer: God, help me to have the attitude of God when I discipline my kids. Help me show them my love for them even though they have sinned. Let them know my love and commitment for them has not wavered.

Jesus Wants Us to Know He Loves the Father

Scripture: I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. John 14:31 ESV

Observation: Jesus is teaching his disciples during his last night before the cross. He is sharing some important last minute instructions. In a section about the imminent departure of Christ, and the future arrival of the Spirit, Jesus makes this statement: I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Why is it important to Jesus that I know he loves the Father? Is this to give me comfort, like a kid going to sleep at night secure in the love his parents have for each other? Is it a model of life for me, that I am to obey God out of my love for him? Is it a hint at something mysterious and deep, a unique relationship Christ shares with his father? Is it a subtle reminder that I am not the center of things, that before I or humanity in general showed up, God was already in a perfect relationship with Jesus (and the Spirit)?

Application: I don’t know what this means. Jesus wants me to know that he obeys God, and he wants the world to know that he obeys God so we will know he loves him. I have to think more on this.

Prayer: Jesus, you thought this was important for me to know. Why? Will you help me hear from you? Will you show me why your love for the father is good for me to see and know?

God Will Save Us (By Beau, age 9)

Scripture: God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3?:17 (NLT)

Observation: God will come down to the world and save us when he is done making Heaven.

Application: I need to stop worrying because God will save me.

Prayer: Dear God, please help me not worry.