Hebrews 12:2,3 (NIV)
…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Reflection:
Jesus never lost sight of the journey He was on and where He was headed. He remained on the path set for Him, and fixed His eyes on the cross because the cross was the ‘sweetness’ of His journey – laying His life down for us. No matter what may try to make us lose heart, we are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the undistracted One, as we journey with Him in this life of faith in God. And because He endured the cross, we can now endure, and live and experience the same sweet journey of laying down our lives for another.
Response:
We are to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Undistracted One. We are to consider how He lived and laid down His life for us. This is the ‘sweeter’ way of the cross. We are now chosen and blessed to live this sweeter way - a life laid down for another. Let us thank and give praise to God today that we can and are able to live such a life of love, and let’s also ask for His Spirit to help us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
]]>
Col. 2:6-10 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
Reflection:
These verses declare the fullness we have in Christ Jesus. There is nothing sweeter, nothing more we really need. Nothing can truly satisfy us more than Him. By God’s grace and through the power of the Spirit, we have received Christ, the very fullness of Him. In light of this, we are to embrace and celebrate this fullness by continuing to live lives that become rooted and built in Him, guarding our hearts from deceptive philosophies, and overflowing with thankfulness. We can depend upon Christ because He is the head over every power and authority!
Response:
The truth is that we have already been given much. All we have to do now is to live it out. Let’s offer up prayers of thanksgiving to God because we have Christ and can now live rooted and built up in Him, lacking nothing.
]]>
Gal. 5:1, 7-9, 13-14, 24-25 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Reflection:
These verses are written to the church in Galatia, who were encountering opposition and false teaching that tried to draw them away from the life laid out by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But the Apostle Paul declared to them and also to us today that whatever the distractions are that come our way, we have been chosen and set free to live a focused life of following Jesus Christ, and that life is lived by the Spirit. And now having received this precious freedom of living by the Spirit, we are encouraged to keep in step with the Spirit - to love and serve one another. And it only gets better. It is the Spirit who makes the journey real and sweeter.
Response:
Marathons can be grueling and once you lose focus, things can get harder and harder, and the race may not always end up in your favor. Blinders are placed on certain beasts of burden in order to help them remain focused and undisturbed as they travel. While on this journey following the Lord, distractions will come that may cause us to lose focus or make the traveling seem not so great after all. However, we have received the Spirit, and can now remain focused and withstand disturbances. Let’s pray and ask the Lord to help us to live in the freedom of Christ, loving and serving one another, keeping in step with the Spirit that lives in us.
]]>
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Reflection:
Many of us desire to offer something back to God, but this passage declares that because God is merciful to us, we are to worship Him with our bodies – the entirety of who we are. As those who belong to Him, we are also to refuse to give in to what the world dictates and instead have our minds renewed as we live lives that are dedicated to the Lord. On this journey with God, this is real transformation – becoming a living sacrifice, knowing God’s will, knowing the ‘why’ about life and being able to know what is sweet and what is not. This is why we are on this journey – for true and proper worship of God.
Response:
As people of God, we may occasionally find ourselves asking why we do what we do and what it is all about. Whether we have been on this Christ-led journey for only a few years or have been at it for most of our lives, we can rest assured that the Spirit of Christ who is alive in us renews and transforms us, and enables us to continue to offer our lives to Him in true worship. Today, let’s give joyous praises to Him, because we have been renewed by the Spirit, and let’s ask the Spirit for more transformation that true and proper worship of God may increase in our lives.
]]>
Ephesians 2:3-10 (NIV)
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Reflection:
This passage describes to us the state that we came from before we knew our Savior – we were deserving of wrath. In full detail of exactly who God is, we are given the incredible truth of how we are no longer trapped or defeated, but made alive in Christ. In no way have we earned this salvation, but it was freely given to us by God’s love and mercy. There is no amount of work that could ever come close to how we have been saved. We are no longer the same! We have been created anew in Christ Jesus. This is the reality of life in Christ.There is no substitute for salvation. We have it real and raw.
Response:
It is easier to be nostalgic about things that were good in the past over those that have been bad. Many of us would rather talk about the positive things that have worked in our lives and forget about what didn’t work. But as people of God, we don’t have to live in the past or be defined by it. Our reality is that we can live in the freedom that we have found in Christ because of the salvation work done by God who loved us greatly for all time. Today, let’s pray and thank our Lord for what He has done for us! Let’s praise God for this very real salvation we have through Christ Jesus that has changed our destiny forever.
]]>Psalm 50:1-15 (NIV)
1 The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes
and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages.
4 He summons the heavens above,
and the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me this consecrated people,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice.
7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
I will testify against you, Israel:
I am God, your God.
8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains,
and the insects in the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Reflection
When crisis hits we tend to go toward one of two extremes. We either try to figure things out on our own, or we cry out to God and seek His help. During these times we often “know” that God is mighty and that He loves us, yet we can get caught in the trap of merely going through the motions, bringing God our worldly offerings, while forgetting that He already owns everything we see. However, we see from this passage that what God desires more than anything are hearts that are willing to praise Him for what He has done, lives that are passionately committed to the way He has called us, and hearts that desperately turn to Him in our times of need. It is when we live like this that we are able to see God’s mighty hand rescue us and bring us again and again to a place of worship and praise.
Response
Let’s pray that we will turn to the Lord even faster when times of trouble come. Let’s ask that we would not insist on trying to figure it out on our own, but that we would return to and depend upon the only One who can rescue and save us – our Father who provides all we need and gives us His Holy Spirit to truly live.
]]>James 5:13-18 (NIV)
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
Reflection
Who do you turn to when things in your life become out of control? What do you do when you are happy? How about when you are sick? The answer to these questions all point towards God who is in control over everything and who deserves all of our worship. God remains constant through every circumstance that we encounter. As a church, we are to be a people of prayer in every instance of life. Our God, who is faithful, will hear our prayers and will pour out His Holy Spirit on us. We are to go to Him in both good times and bad, coming before Him individually and corporately. As a church, we are to pray over the sick and pray for one another. Like Elijah, let’s pray earnestly and constantly as we wait on the Lord with all kinds of requests.
Response
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we can turn to the Lord and pray in every circumstance. Whenever we turn to Him, He will pour out His Holy Spirit on us. Let’s cling on to His Word, that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. With this confidence, let’s spend some time praying over any personal concerns that we may have. Nothing is too small or too big to bring it before the Lord. Let’s ask for His will to be done in our lives.
]]>Acts 2:24-47
24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Reflection
Powerful things happen in the church when we pray. People are saved, communities are formed, worship increases, and God’s love is lived out in real tangible ways. Through Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit, and together we get to see all the wonderful things that happen as we live this out. As we read in the passage above, devotion to prayer is the everyday reality of the church, so let’s go for it with all that we got and see what God will do.
Response
Let’s pray for a stronger devotion to prayer and for the Lord’s work through the Holy Spirit to increase in the church. We have already seen glimpses of God’s power among us through the many healings, salvations, and miracles among us. Therefore, let’s ask for this work to continue and for even more wonderful works to occur as we continue to go forward in our campuses, missional groups, workplaces, and communities.
]]>Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV)
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV)
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Reflection
We can see from this section that prayer is fundamental in our relationship with God. Even though this set of passages is very similar to what we read in Luke 11:1-13, there are some slight differences in the details. One of which is in Jesus’ explanation on the issue of forgiveness. In Luke, Jesus does bring up the matter of asking for forgiveness while having a heart to forgive others. While in Matthew, Jesus continues this point by stressing the fact that forgiving others is actually essential in being right before God. Therefore, if we come before God with persistent and heartfelt pleas, yet we are unwilling to forgive our neighbor for even the slightest wrong, then God will not forgive our own sins. Which in turn, leaves us outside of His loving forgiveness. Yet, if we do forgive our neighbor, then we are fully apart of God’s loving care, and able to receive all of the good gifts that we need. Although the Holy Spirit is not specifically mentioned in these passages we know from other readings, as well as from our own experiences, that God loves to fill His people with His Spirit so that we may truly know Him and tell others about His unfailing love for us.
Response
Let’s pray that we would not only be people that are hungry for God’s favor and blessing over our lives, but that we would also have hearts to willingly and graciously forgive those that have wronged us. For if we try to live any other way, we may find ourselves in complete lack of the very forgiveness that sustains us and allows us to be in His presence. May God stretch our hearts in new ways, so that we can fully experience His loving grace.
]]>Luke 11:1-13 (NIV)
1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Reflection
Can you imagine what it must have been like for the disciples when they learned what it meant to pray? It is so simple, yet Jesus reminds them through the parable about the friend and the bread, that if we want to see real things happen, it is about persisting until we get what we need. In this passage, Jesus explains that God is our Father, and therefore His love for us is like that of an earthly father for his own child, but yet so much greater. When we come to Him for the things we need, God doesn’t short change us or give us things that would bring us harm. Instead, He gives us gifts that bless us. At the forefront of these good gifts is His Holy Spirit. From this we can see that God wants us to know that the most important things in this life are not the material things of this world, but that it actually starts with having His Spirit in us, leading us again and again into this place of being close to Him and dependent on His love for us. From there, God leads us fully into this life of blessing and knowing Him. This is what we need most, and what will truly sustain us through the most difficult of trials.
Response
Let’s spend some time lifting up prayers to the One that knows everything that we need. Let’s ask, seek and knock in faith for those good gifts, trusting that God will bless us, giving us His Holy Spirit, as we journey through every circumstance of our lives.
]]>