Scripture: Luke 2:8-21
Observation: In this passage, the angels come to shepherds and proclaim the good new of Jesus' birth. What is so ironic about this is that shepherds were the lowest of the low, because they couldn't participate in the ceremonies in the temple because they were tending their sheep. They were even considered crooks. They were the last one's to hear about anything, and God chooses to tell them first about the birth of the Savior.
Application: Jesus is Lord. He chose to come into human history to save me of my sins, so that I could be in relationship with Him. Jesus comes, not to the proud, rich, or powerful. He comes to the lowly and humble. I feel much the same way. My entire life I have never been the most popular and I've been goofy and crazy so that people would like me. Yet, Jesus came to me as a 17 year old high school kid and saved me from myself and my sin. Me, a not so popular, overweight goofball. He wants me to share this good news with other people as well! This makes me want to worship and share the good news with everyone around me.
Prayer: Father, I am so amazed at your love for me. I confess that I don't always trust you and that I look for affection and attention from other people when you have given me everything I will ever need. I thank you for Jesus, who came and died for me even while I am a sinner. I worship you today as Lord, giving you my life to use for your glory and to share this good news with others, AMEN!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Power of the Cross
Scripture: Colossians 2:8-15, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
Observation: What does all this jargon mean? What does it mean that we have our sins forgiven? Here in Colossians Paul says that "He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." The language used here is legal in nature. It says the he forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code with its regulations. That written code is the law, it wars against us and is opposed to us. We cannot keep it no matter how hard we try. It keeps beating us down because we cannot follow the rules. But here Paul says that Christ took it away and nailed it to the cross. We were dead and now we are alive with Christ through the power of the cross.
Application: There is great power in this passage. Through the cross, we have the power to say no to sin and yes to Jesus. Yet, so many times I say yes to sin and no to Jesus. But Christ has taken it away and has nailed it to the cross, having victory over it so that it no longer has dominion over me. I must learn to trust the power of the cross to live a new life in Christ by the power of the cross through his grace. Horatio G. Spafford got it right when he wrote these words: "My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!"
Prayer: Blessed Lord Jesus, before thy cross I kneel and see the heinousness of my sin, my iniquity that caused thee to be "made a curse", the evil that excites the severity of divine wrath. Show me the enormity of my guilt by the crown of thorns, the pierced hand and feet, the bruised body, the dying cries. Thy blood is the blood of incarnate God, its worth infinite, its value beyond all thought...Yet thyt compassions yearn over me, thy heart hastens to my rescue, thy mercy bore my deserved stripes. Le me walk humbly in the lowest depths of humiliation, bathed in thy blood, tender of conscience, triumphing gloriously as an heir of salvation"
The Precious Blood, Taken from The Valley of Vision
Observation: What does all this jargon mean? What does it mean that we have our sins forgiven? Here in Colossians Paul says that "He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." The language used here is legal in nature. It says the he forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code with its regulations. That written code is the law, it wars against us and is opposed to us. We cannot keep it no matter how hard we try. It keeps beating us down because we cannot follow the rules. But here Paul says that Christ took it away and nailed it to the cross. We were dead and now we are alive with Christ through the power of the cross.
Application: There is great power in this passage. Through the cross, we have the power to say no to sin and yes to Jesus. Yet, so many times I say yes to sin and no to Jesus. But Christ has taken it away and has nailed it to the cross, having victory over it so that it no longer has dominion over me. I must learn to trust the power of the cross to live a new life in Christ by the power of the cross through his grace. Horatio G. Spafford got it right when he wrote these words: "My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!"
Prayer: Blessed Lord Jesus, before thy cross I kneel and see the heinousness of my sin, my iniquity that caused thee to be "made a curse", the evil that excites the severity of divine wrath. Show me the enormity of my guilt by the crown of thorns, the pierced hand and feet, the bruised body, the dying cries. Thy blood is the blood of incarnate God, its worth infinite, its value beyond all thought...Yet thyt compassions yearn over me, thy heart hastens to my rescue, thy mercy bore my deserved stripes. Le me walk humbly in the lowest depths of humiliation, bathed in thy blood, tender of conscience, triumphing gloriously as an heir of salvation"
The Precious Blood, Taken from The Valley of Vision
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Endurance and Encouragement
Scripture: Romans 15:4, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
Observation: We have the scriptures for a reason. They were written to encourage us so that we may have hope. A hope that we will not be left as we are, but the hope that God in his sovereignty sent his son to die on a cross for our sins and rising again on the third day sealing the victory over sin, Satan, death and hell. Yet, it also serves a reminder that God is not through with us yet, there is still so much for us to learn and so much to accomplish. Therefore it is an encouragement to endure and persevere, suck it up and keep going even when we have nothing left.
Application: This is where I am at currently. I am almost finished with college, in six months I will be a college graduate! I don't know who should be more afraid, me or everyone else. It's like a 16 year old kid getting his drivers licence. I will have this peace of paper that tells me I am now smart, well maybe not. Anyway less than six months left, I am beginning to freak out. Right now I have a boat load to finish just to get me through this semester and I know next semester will be even tougher. I even have a touch of Senioritis coming on. I needed to hear the word endure. I am at wits end and all I can do is put one foot in front of the other and endure, push through to finish the job. I want to finish well.
Prayer: Sovereign Lord I confess that every day I attempt to live this life on my own. I have a bunch of stuff to do and I don't know how I am going to get it done. I thank you for your grace that allows me to persevere. I ask for that grace today, I cannot finish well without you. You are more than enough for me. I thank you again for your grace that allows me to endure and finish well, I thank you that you have not given up on me and you endure with me and I want to endure to reflect your goodness to everyone around me so that my life will point to you and not to me, I ask for this in the good name of Jesus, Amen!
At Your Feet:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN7GjwAbBbs
Observation: We have the scriptures for a reason. They were written to encourage us so that we may have hope. A hope that we will not be left as we are, but the hope that God in his sovereignty sent his son to die on a cross for our sins and rising again on the third day sealing the victory over sin, Satan, death and hell. Yet, it also serves a reminder that God is not through with us yet, there is still so much for us to learn and so much to accomplish. Therefore it is an encouragement to endure and persevere, suck it up and keep going even when we have nothing left.
Application: This is where I am at currently. I am almost finished with college, in six months I will be a college graduate! I don't know who should be more afraid, me or everyone else. It's like a 16 year old kid getting his drivers licence. I will have this peace of paper that tells me I am now smart, well maybe not. Anyway less than six months left, I am beginning to freak out. Right now I have a boat load to finish just to get me through this semester and I know next semester will be even tougher. I even have a touch of Senioritis coming on. I needed to hear the word endure. I am at wits end and all I can do is put one foot in front of the other and endure, push through to finish the job. I want to finish well.
Prayer: Sovereign Lord I confess that every day I attempt to live this life on my own. I have a bunch of stuff to do and I don't know how I am going to get it done. I thank you for your grace that allows me to persevere. I ask for that grace today, I cannot finish well without you. You are more than enough for me. I thank you again for your grace that allows me to endure and finish well, I thank you that you have not given up on me and you endure with me and I want to endure to reflect your goodness to everyone around me so that my life will point to you and not to me, I ask for this in the good name of Jesus, Amen!
At Your Feet:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN7GjwAbBbs
Monday, November 30, 2009
Credited as Righteousness
Scripture: Romans 4:23-24, "The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead."
Observation: Througout this section, Paul uses the phrase "credited to him". He quotes from Genesis 15:6 in verse 3: "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. This is why salvation by works does not stand up against the gospel. Scripture says over and over that salvation is a gift. Paul's says later in Romans 6 that "the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord".
Application: Salvation is a gift. I cannot earn it. I live sometimes as though I can earn it. Yet, I cannot. I am not righteous in and of myself, I cannot work for my salvation. No matter how hard I try, I will never be able. I must trust that the righteousness of Jesus is credited to me by God.
Prayer: Creator of the Universe, Jesus Christ. You alone are worthy of all honor, glory and praise. I confess that many times, I turn to my own righteousness to be sufficient. Yet, I know that it is only by your grace, Jesus, that I can be justified. I thank you for crediting your righteous to me, who has no chance apart from you to be in relationship with you. Give me the strength this morning to live my life cognisant of your grace, Amen!
Observation: Througout this section, Paul uses the phrase "credited to him". He quotes from Genesis 15:6 in verse 3: "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. This is why salvation by works does not stand up against the gospel. Scripture says over and over that salvation is a gift. Paul's says later in Romans 6 that "the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord".
Application: Salvation is a gift. I cannot earn it. I live sometimes as though I can earn it. Yet, I cannot. I am not righteous in and of myself, I cannot work for my salvation. No matter how hard I try, I will never be able. I must trust that the righteousness of Jesus is credited to me by God.
Prayer: Creator of the Universe, Jesus Christ. You alone are worthy of all honor, glory and praise. I confess that many times, I turn to my own righteousness to be sufficient. Yet, I know that it is only by your grace, Jesus, that I can be justified. I thank you for crediting your righteous to me, who has no chance apart from you to be in relationship with you. Give me the strength this morning to live my life cognisant of your grace, Amen!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Religion Saves - The Emerging Church
I have been taking the weekends off from the (enewhope.org/bible) study and have been going through a sermon series by Pastor Mark Driscoll in Seattle, WA. The sermon series is titled Religion Saves and nine other misconceptions. This weeks topic was "The Emerging Church". He talked about four major ways of looking at the church: 1. Emerging Evangelicals, 2. House Church Evangelicals, 3. Emerging Reformers, 4. Emergent Liberals or the Emerging Church. After an overview of what the Emerging Church is he then showed from the Bible what the purpose and call of Christian should be.
Scripture: Acts 17:16-34
Observation: Jesus came to earth as a missionary. Paul goes to the city, Athens, as a missionary (If you want to change the world, you have to reach the city). Paul went to the conversation portals and talked to the people about Jesus. He said that Zeus was not God, Jesus is and he is the creator. He then contends for the Bible and calls people to repentance. People tend to react to Jesus in one of three ways: 1. Contempt, 2. Curiosity, 3. Conversion.
Application: This is the same mission that we have as Christians today. We are to go to where people are and talk to them about Jesus. As I go to school, I am to talk to people about Jesus. I havent' been doing a good job at this. Now is the time for me to repent of that and talk to more people about Jesus. Our goal shouldn't be to put more buts in the seats, or for people to swap churches, but our goal should be to tell as many people as we can about Jesus. We do that in many ways: worship services, internet, facebook, and even here on blogspot. We are to be all about Jesus, the title of my blog says: It's All About Jesus!!!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are creator of all. I confess that I dont' tell people about you as often as I should. I have taken the approach that I will let my life show you Jesus, but if my life is not reflecting you then people aren't seeing you. Father, give me the boldness to talk about Jesus all day every day, so then my life will change and be more like Jesus so that people hear Jesus on my lips and see Him in my life, Amen!
It's All About Jesus:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFTX80TpZ_4
God of This City:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqQhZKpZVCo
Scripture: Acts 17:16-34
Observation: Jesus came to earth as a missionary. Paul goes to the city, Athens, as a missionary (If you want to change the world, you have to reach the city). Paul went to the conversation portals and talked to the people about Jesus. He said that Zeus was not God, Jesus is and he is the creator. He then contends for the Bible and calls people to repentance. People tend to react to Jesus in one of three ways: 1. Contempt, 2. Curiosity, 3. Conversion.
Application: This is the same mission that we have as Christians today. We are to go to where people are and talk to them about Jesus. As I go to school, I am to talk to people about Jesus. I havent' been doing a good job at this. Now is the time for me to repent of that and talk to more people about Jesus. Our goal shouldn't be to put more buts in the seats, or for people to swap churches, but our goal should be to tell as many people as we can about Jesus. We do that in many ways: worship services, internet, facebook, and even here on blogspot. We are to be all about Jesus, the title of my blog says: It's All About Jesus!!!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are creator of all. I confess that I dont' tell people about you as often as I should. I have taken the approach that I will let my life show you Jesus, but if my life is not reflecting you then people aren't seeing you. Father, give me the boldness to talk about Jesus all day every day, so then my life will change and be more like Jesus so that people hear Jesus on my lips and see Him in my life, Amen!
It's All About Jesus:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFTX80TpZ_4
God of This City:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqQhZKpZVCo
Friday, November 27, 2009
My Soul Thirsts for You
Scripture: Psalm 63, "God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped."
Observation: The header of this Psalm says: "A Psalm of David, When He Was in the Wilderness of Judah". This psalm was written by a fugative. The account is most likely from 1 Samuel 23, where David and Sauls men are on either side of a mountain and neither army knows that and David gets away. In this Psalm I see David remembering what the Lord has done for him the past, and we see him thankful for what God will do in the future. He then expresses his need for the Lord and he expresses that only in God can he be satisfied. David is confident that his enemy (Saul) will be destroyed one way or the other. Later in 1 Samuel, we find that to be true.
Application: I love this psalm, but I don't know if I would be as worshipful when I am being pursued by my enemy. Yet, I need to be. Worship is a great way to defend against temptation. Many times I find my self in a dry and weary land, a desert. Yet, if I find my self in that situation I know who can get me out. I don't always remember the past and see where God has brought me from, and I don't rejoice in the future, worry about it. Jesus is my only one who can satisfy me, yet I turn to other things to find it. I must come to the point where Jesus is my only source of safisfaction and fulfillment. With the grace of God I am getting there.
Prayer: God, You are my God earnestly I seek You, oh my soulI thirst for You my body aches in a dry and weary land. I’ve seen You in Your sanctuaryI beheld Your pow’r and shouted glory my soul is full, my lips will sing Your praise, Amen!
Holy One:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NrjtPAFjco
Observation: The header of this Psalm says: "A Psalm of David, When He Was in the Wilderness of Judah". This psalm was written by a fugative. The account is most likely from 1 Samuel 23, where David and Sauls men are on either side of a mountain and neither army knows that and David gets away. In this Psalm I see David remembering what the Lord has done for him the past, and we see him thankful for what God will do in the future. He then expresses his need for the Lord and he expresses that only in God can he be satisfied. David is confident that his enemy (Saul) will be destroyed one way or the other. Later in 1 Samuel, we find that to be true.
Application: I love this psalm, but I don't know if I would be as worshipful when I am being pursued by my enemy. Yet, I need to be. Worship is a great way to defend against temptation. Many times I find my self in a dry and weary land, a desert. Yet, if I find my self in that situation I know who can get me out. I don't always remember the past and see where God has brought me from, and I don't rejoice in the future, worry about it. Jesus is my only one who can satisfy me, yet I turn to other things to find it. I must come to the point where Jesus is my only source of safisfaction and fulfillment. With the grace of God I am getting there.
Prayer: God, You are my God earnestly I seek You, oh my soulI thirst for You my body aches in a dry and weary land. I’ve seen You in Your sanctuaryI beheld Your pow’r and shouted glory my soul is full, my lips will sing Your praise, Amen!
Holy One:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NrjtPAFjco
So Much To Be Thankful For
I should have put this up yesterday but I was all over the place yesterday and barely had time to catch my breath. I guess I was too busy gorging on turkey, dressing, pumpkin and pecan pie, oh yea and can't forget that carrot cake. Yet, I don't know what it means to be thankful for food. I take it for granted. We get together to say thanks and then eat until our eyes bubble and we need a gallon of Milk of Magnesia. Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and a mountain of delicious deserts. We should not just give thanks with our stomachs, but with our hearts. I have so much to be thankful for, the fact that I am alive is a blessing. I am thankful for the grace of God in my life. I don't deserve it but I am so thankful for it. His grace is more than just the forgiveness of sins, that is a big part of it. Yet, it is a daily grace that gets me through that I am thankful for. The grace that allows me to persever and press on when I want to give up. The grace to know that this life is not all there is and I will spend eternity with my creator and King. So on this thanksgiving, I don't want to forget what I am truly thankful for: Jesus!
I'm Alive:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQV8bpNbrHs&feature=related
I'm Alive:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQV8bpNbrHs&feature=related
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