Scripture Verse that Caught my attention today: John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Observation: They had seen the resurrected Jesus twice. But it was unclear where he was then, so Peter and his companions went back to their trade. Part of me wonders if they even cared if they caught any fish. Perhaps they just wanted some time alone out on the water.
Application: I suspect that most of us occasionally want/need some time alone—maybe after a rough day or maybe just because we’re in a reflective mood. Such times can be a healing experience and a healthy practice. They can also be dangerous; in relative isolation we don’t always see or appreciate the larger picture. Therefore it’s easy to underestimate our significance or, sometimes, overestimate our significance.
Tonight will be Christmas Eve. Among other things, the story of Christmas is the recounting of God’s refusal to let us ever be completely alone. Although many thoroughly enjoy the holidays, for some the holidays can be an especially lonely or even painful time. But even if you or I ever feel like we are the only ship on the sea, we have Jesus—or rather, Jesus has us! In Jesus we can never over-estimate our significance, for we owe everything to him. By the same token, in Jesus we can never under-estimate our significance either, for he demonstrated that, to him, we are worth the sacrifice of his life. So if we ever want or need some time alone to think…well, those are a couple of things worth thinking about.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of yourself to us in this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Scripture Readings today included: John 19-21)
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Even When We're Scattered
Scripture Verses that caught my attention today: John 16:31-32 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.
Observation: Do we ever believe deeply enough in Jesus? Here again the disciples naively proclaim the depth of their faith. And here again Jesus reminds them that they are over-selling themselves. Though in the next couple verses he will nevertheless offer them significant cause for hope.
Application: It has been said that one never knows for sure how he or she will handle a situation until he or she is actually placed in that situation. We may, in advance, have ideas for how we might handle a given situation, but once we are in it, well, then we find out what our true response will be. Sometimes we follow through. Sometimes we change our mind. There are often good reasons for our response. There are often bad reasons for our response. Either way, because of Jesus, all hope is not lost.
Tomorrow night many people will gather in various locations all over the world purportedly to celebrate the birth of Christ. To what extent do we really believe? How easily will we be subsequently scattered?
Ironically, it probably doesn’t matter. Jesus promises to draw all people to himself. He did so long ago when he was lifted up on the cross. And he continues to do so today for all who have the courage to see him in such estate.
Prayer: Lord, our belief is never as deep as it could or should be and we are so very easily scattered. Draw us together again in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: John 15-18)
Observation: Do we ever believe deeply enough in Jesus? Here again the disciples naively proclaim the depth of their faith. And here again Jesus reminds them that they are over-selling themselves. Though in the next couple verses he will nevertheless offer them significant cause for hope.
Application: It has been said that one never knows for sure how he or she will handle a situation until he or she is actually placed in that situation. We may, in advance, have ideas for how we might handle a given situation, but once we are in it, well, then we find out what our true response will be. Sometimes we follow through. Sometimes we change our mind. There are often good reasons for our response. There are often bad reasons for our response. Either way, because of Jesus, all hope is not lost.
Tomorrow night many people will gather in various locations all over the world purportedly to celebrate the birth of Christ. To what extent do we really believe? How easily will we be subsequently scattered?
Ironically, it probably doesn’t matter. Jesus promises to draw all people to himself. He did so long ago when he was lifted up on the cross. And he continues to do so today for all who have the courage to see him in such estate.
Prayer: Lord, our belief is never as deep as it could or should be and we are so very easily scattered. Draw us together again in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: John 15-18)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Are you in Ephraim?
Scripture Verse that Caught my attention today: John 11:54 Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples.
Observation: I hadn’t noticed Jesus going to “Ephraim” before. I looked it up on the concordance. Ephraim was first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 41:52 as one of Joseph’s sons. From there the name shows up another 161 more times in the Bible though, interestingly, only once in the New Testament. In addition to refering Joseph’s son, it also refers to Joseph’s lineage, to the region where they lived and, as expressed in the New Testament example, a town.
Application: There are far more interesting story lines in these three chapters of John, but devotions are meant primarily to be personal and so, from a personal standpoint, I’d have to say that I simply don’t remember reading about Jesus visiting the town Ephraim before. I was also shocked by the sheer number of times that this name comes up in the Old Testament. Apparently I’ve largely glossed over it in the past.
Is this visit to Ephraim significant? I don’t know. But if nothing else, Jesus’ time in Ephraim served as a bridge between some very important times in his life. Perhaps he used his time there to reflect on what he had done and on what he had yet to do.
If so, perhaps many of us are in a form of Ephraim too. After all, we are nearing the end of yet another calendar year with, Lord willing, another around the corner. It’s a good and natural time to reflect.
Along those line, the other day there was a guy who submitted online a list of some 40 things he’s learned in the past year. Creating such a list might be a good idea for any of us. For who knows what the future might hold and how what we’ve learned from the past might crucial in helping us, by God’s grace, weave our way through.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the experience of life and how you teach through it. And thanks for your little visit to Ephraim that, in itself, got me to thinking in ways that I had not thought so much before. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: John 9-11)
Observation: I hadn’t noticed Jesus going to “Ephraim” before. I looked it up on the concordance. Ephraim was first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 41:52 as one of Joseph’s sons. From there the name shows up another 161 more times in the Bible though, interestingly, only once in the New Testament. In addition to refering Joseph’s son, it also refers to Joseph’s lineage, to the region where they lived and, as expressed in the New Testament example, a town.
Application: There are far more interesting story lines in these three chapters of John, but devotions are meant primarily to be personal and so, from a personal standpoint, I’d have to say that I simply don’t remember reading about Jesus visiting the town Ephraim before. I was also shocked by the sheer number of times that this name comes up in the Old Testament. Apparently I’ve largely glossed over it in the past.
Is this visit to Ephraim significant? I don’t know. But if nothing else, Jesus’ time in Ephraim served as a bridge between some very important times in his life. Perhaps he used his time there to reflect on what he had done and on what he had yet to do.
If so, perhaps many of us are in a form of Ephraim too. After all, we are nearing the end of yet another calendar year with, Lord willing, another around the corner. It’s a good and natural time to reflect.
Along those line, the other day there was a guy who submitted online a list of some 40 things he’s learned in the past year. Creating such a list might be a good idea for any of us. For who knows what the future might hold and how what we’ve learned from the past might crucial in helping us, by God’s grace, weave our way through.
Prayer: Lord, thanks for the experience of life and how you teach through it. And thanks for your little visit to Ephraim that, in itself, got me to thinking in ways that I had not thought so much before. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: John 9-11)
Monday, December 20, 2010
Say What?
Scripture Verses that Caught My Attention Today: (SEVERAL VERSES TODAY)
John 7:1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him.
John 7:8-10 Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After saying this, he remained in Galilee. 10 But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret.
John 8:13-18 Then the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. 18 I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.”
John 8:58-59 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Observations: I chuckled at verse 7:1—it’s a very human portrait of Jesus—naturally he wouldn’t want to go where people wanted to kill him! I can relate with that kind of Jesus!
But then in 7:8-10 I’m struck by a Jesus who says one thing (I’m not going to the festival) but does another (then he also went [to the festival]). Hmmm.
John 8:13-18 is an example of the bizarre—it’s a circular reasoning that, frankly, we would never accept in the court of law today. If Jesus really talked like this, it would be little wonder that he found himself in a heap of earthly trouble.
In John 8:58-59 it’s striking that this one who has been around since ‘before Abraham’ and who knows when his time has ‘not yet come’ nevertheless, apparently, has to resort to ‘hiding.’ Hmmm.
Application: I’m not really sure how to ‘apply’ all of this in daily life. In some ways the one we proclaim as Savior and Lord is so simple—he came, he died, he rose again. In other ways he is complicated beyond measure. If it’s true that John was the last of the Gospels written and that it was written maybe 70 or so years after Jesus rose from the dead, then this would make some sense—at least the parts where Jesus seems to know everything all the time. Seventy years of hindsight when considering the Savior of the World would naturally lead to a portrayal of an all-knowing/always-right Jesus. Yet sprinkled therein are those little human bits and pieces. Things like Jesus not ‘wishing’ to go where people want to kill him or Jesus going into ‘hiding,’ etc. it’s surprising, in a way, that John would include such human details.
But then again, maybe John is a bit like me (or vice-versa), intent on making sense of this crucified and risen one even though, personally, both John and I are years removed from the earthly Jesus and the actual events of his life, death, and resurrection.
Prayer: Lord, you both puzzle and inspire, confuse and make clear. I pray that my confusion on some aspects of your sayings and actions will keep my humble while your more clearly profound involvement in our world will always lift me up. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included John 7-8)
John 7:1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him.
John 7:8-10 Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After saying this, he remained in Galilee. 10 But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret.
John 8:13-18 Then the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. 18 I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.”
John 8:58-59 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Observations: I chuckled at verse 7:1—it’s a very human portrait of Jesus—naturally he wouldn’t want to go where people wanted to kill him! I can relate with that kind of Jesus!
But then in 7:8-10 I’m struck by a Jesus who says one thing (I’m not going to the festival) but does another (then he also went [to the festival]). Hmmm.
John 8:13-18 is an example of the bizarre—it’s a circular reasoning that, frankly, we would never accept in the court of law today. If Jesus really talked like this, it would be little wonder that he found himself in a heap of earthly trouble.
In John 8:58-59 it’s striking that this one who has been around since ‘before Abraham’ and who knows when his time has ‘not yet come’ nevertheless, apparently, has to resort to ‘hiding.’ Hmmm.
Application: I’m not really sure how to ‘apply’ all of this in daily life. In some ways the one we proclaim as Savior and Lord is so simple—he came, he died, he rose again. In other ways he is complicated beyond measure. If it’s true that John was the last of the Gospels written and that it was written maybe 70 or so years after Jesus rose from the dead, then this would make some sense—at least the parts where Jesus seems to know everything all the time. Seventy years of hindsight when considering the Savior of the World would naturally lead to a portrayal of an all-knowing/always-right Jesus. Yet sprinkled therein are those little human bits and pieces. Things like Jesus not ‘wishing’ to go where people want to kill him or Jesus going into ‘hiding,’ etc. it’s surprising, in a way, that John would include such human details.
But then again, maybe John is a bit like me (or vice-versa), intent on making sense of this crucified and risen one even though, personally, both John and I are years removed from the earthly Jesus and the actual events of his life, death, and resurrection.
Prayer: Lord, you both puzzle and inspire, confuse and make clear. I pray that my confusion on some aspects of your sayings and actions will keep my humble while your more clearly profound involvement in our world will always lift me up. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included John 7-8)
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Discipline Yourself
Scripture Verse that Caught My Attention Today: 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.
Observation: The phrase “discipline yourselves” shows up three times in the book of First Peter. I just did a quick concordance search and found that, although the word ‘discipline’ shows up multiple times in Scripture, the phrase ‘discipline yourselves’ is only found in First Peter and, as noted above, it is found three times therein.
Application: Self-discipline is perhaps the hardest form of discipline even though it is usually the least painful. Furthermore, it lends itself toward a host of positive outcomes. By contrast, a lack of self-discipline can easily lead one to be confronted by discipline from outside oneself. This discipline can be very painful and even embarrassing, though ideally it too can help point one toward more positive outcomes eventually.
Self-discipline requires intentionality. It’s a proactive movement and a form of personal responsibility. I’ve heard it said, “discipline yourself or someone else will do it for you.”
A question that comes to mind is: “to what extent is such self-discipline necessary or even possible?” I’ve noticed that most people are self-disciplined in some areas and not in others. Some are self-disciplined, for example, in their fitness but not in their relationship fidelity. Or maybe they are self-disciplined in their faith practices but not in their finances. Some are self-disciplined in their professional environment but not in how they manage their personal life. So it goes. Truth be told, most if not all of us have areas in our lives where we are very self-disciplined and other areas where it looks like we let the cows get out. Is it really possible to be self-disciplined in every area of life?
Probably not. We are finite human beings, after all, and while self-discipline tends to offer more pleasant possibilities, one thing it cannot offer is a guarantee. Even the writer of First Peter acknowledged that sometimes people suffer even when doing right (1 Peter 2:20). It also occurs to me that some folks have personalities that are more likely to adhere to a self-disciplined way of life than others.
Still, there’s something to be said for taking stock of one’s gift of life and for endeavoring to live it intentionally with thanksgiving, awareness, and, as Rick Warren reminded the world, with purpose. That requires some self-discipline, not just in the sense of avoiding unhealthy vices, but also in the sense of pursuing worthwhile possibilities, not the least of which is what the author of First Peter put in print: “set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.”
Prayer: Lord, help us all to maintain the balance between self-discipline and thanksgiving for all that you so richly provide. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: 1 Peter 1-5)
Observation: The phrase “discipline yourselves” shows up three times in the book of First Peter. I just did a quick concordance search and found that, although the word ‘discipline’ shows up multiple times in Scripture, the phrase ‘discipline yourselves’ is only found in First Peter and, as noted above, it is found three times therein.
Application: Self-discipline is perhaps the hardest form of discipline even though it is usually the least painful. Furthermore, it lends itself toward a host of positive outcomes. By contrast, a lack of self-discipline can easily lead one to be confronted by discipline from outside oneself. This discipline can be very painful and even embarrassing, though ideally it too can help point one toward more positive outcomes eventually.
Self-discipline requires intentionality. It’s a proactive movement and a form of personal responsibility. I’ve heard it said, “discipline yourself or someone else will do it for you.”
A question that comes to mind is: “to what extent is such self-discipline necessary or even possible?” I’ve noticed that most people are self-disciplined in some areas and not in others. Some are self-disciplined, for example, in their fitness but not in their relationship fidelity. Or maybe they are self-disciplined in their faith practices but not in their finances. Some are self-disciplined in their professional environment but not in how they manage their personal life. So it goes. Truth be told, most if not all of us have areas in our lives where we are very self-disciplined and other areas where it looks like we let the cows get out. Is it really possible to be self-disciplined in every area of life?
Probably not. We are finite human beings, after all, and while self-discipline tends to offer more pleasant possibilities, one thing it cannot offer is a guarantee. Even the writer of First Peter acknowledged that sometimes people suffer even when doing right (1 Peter 2:20). It also occurs to me that some folks have personalities that are more likely to adhere to a self-disciplined way of life than others.
Still, there’s something to be said for taking stock of one’s gift of life and for endeavoring to live it intentionally with thanksgiving, awareness, and, as Rick Warren reminded the world, with purpose. That requires some self-discipline, not just in the sense of avoiding unhealthy vices, but also in the sense of pursuing worthwhile possibilities, not the least of which is what the author of First Peter put in print: “set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.”
Prayer: Lord, help us all to maintain the balance between self-discipline and thanksgiving for all that you so richly provide. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: 1 Peter 1-5)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
I wanna be a billionaire so freakin' bad...well, maybe not.
Scripture Verses that Caught my Attention today: James 1:9-11 Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, 10 and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away.
Observation: Not much hope for those who are rich according to this passage. But that doesn’t stop most from trying to attain the ability to live ‘the good life.’
Application: At church we’re in the middle of a course led by Dave Ramsey (via DVD) entitled “Financial Peace University” (FPU). Thus far it’s been excellent. Tons of really down-to-earth practical advice. Things I wish like crazy that I could have or would have learned years ago. He pretty much believes that most people, if they can be diligent with their savings and disciplined in their spending, accumulate a surprising amount of wealth over time. Of course, first one has to get out of debt! Thankfully he offers some solid plans for how to begin and finish the process of doing so.
To his credit, Dave believes that such wealth can and should be used to help others. He says that the purpose of money is for emergencies, purchases, and to be given away. He also makes clear that money in and of itself will not buy happiness and that, on its own, money is amoral—neither inherently good or bad. Still, that doesn’t stop him from peppering his books and speeches with a host of Biblical quotes about the good and wise things about being rich. Interestingly, passages like James 1:9-11, generally speaking, are notably absent!
I won’t really fault Dave and/or FPU. He actually offers a very helpful corrective to a whole culture that has become enslaved to debt. It’s also refreshing that he nurtures a philanthropic spirit. Good thing—according to passages like James 1:9-11, all rich people will eventually end up philanthropic whether we want to be or not! And ironically, if we’re Godly, we’ll actually be glad about it.
Prayer: Lord, although the author of James seems to have some serious and perhaps even over-the-top hang-ups with rich people, his driving point is still valid—all real hope is ultimately found only in you. Thanks again for that reminder. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: James 1-5)
Observation: Not much hope for those who are rich according to this passage. But that doesn’t stop most from trying to attain the ability to live ‘the good life.’
Application: At church we’re in the middle of a course led by Dave Ramsey (via DVD) entitled “Financial Peace University” (FPU). Thus far it’s been excellent. Tons of really down-to-earth practical advice. Things I wish like crazy that I could have or would have learned years ago. He pretty much believes that most people, if they can be diligent with their savings and disciplined in their spending, accumulate a surprising amount of wealth over time. Of course, first one has to get out of debt! Thankfully he offers some solid plans for how to begin and finish the process of doing so.
To his credit, Dave believes that such wealth can and should be used to help others. He says that the purpose of money is for emergencies, purchases, and to be given away. He also makes clear that money in and of itself will not buy happiness and that, on its own, money is amoral—neither inherently good or bad. Still, that doesn’t stop him from peppering his books and speeches with a host of Biblical quotes about the good and wise things about being rich. Interestingly, passages like James 1:9-11, generally speaking, are notably absent!
I won’t really fault Dave and/or FPU. He actually offers a very helpful corrective to a whole culture that has become enslaved to debt. It’s also refreshing that he nurtures a philanthropic spirit. Good thing—according to passages like James 1:9-11, all rich people will eventually end up philanthropic whether we want to be or not! And ironically, if we’re Godly, we’ll actually be glad about it.
Prayer: Lord, although the author of James seems to have some serious and perhaps even over-the-top hang-ups with rich people, his driving point is still valid—all real hope is ultimately found only in you. Thanks again for that reminder. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: James 1-5)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Propped up for the Kingdom
Scripture Verses that Caught My Attention Today: Jude verses 24-25 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Observation: Our hope really is only in God.
Application: While playing checkers with our daughter the other day I took the opportunity to move in such a way as to provide her with a little gift—the opportunity for her to get a triple-jump. Of course, I lost the game after that and couldn’t have been more pleased. It was way more fun helping her win than to win personally.
It would seem that our Lord has a similar perspective in regard to us. The author of Jude proclaims that our God is able to keep us from falling and, in fact, can make us stand—and without blemish to boot!
As perpetually wayward people, this is incredibly good news. A quick audit of any one of our lives will reveal huge discrepancies between what is and what ought to be. And although we are sometimes able to make improvements here and there, at the end of the day we still all fall short.
It continues to baffle me why our Lord would have any remaining interest in us. Surely humanity should have been given up as a lost cause millennia ago.
Not so, according to Jude and, in fact, the overall witness of all of the Scriptures. It’s as if, without us, the Lord would have no purpose at all.
Well then, at least we’re good for something! ☺
Prayer: Dear Lord, what can I say but thanks again for propping up your people in order that we might be able to stand in your sight with both glory and rejoicing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: Hebrews 12-13 and Jude)
Observation: Our hope really is only in God.
Application: While playing checkers with our daughter the other day I took the opportunity to move in such a way as to provide her with a little gift—the opportunity for her to get a triple-jump. Of course, I lost the game after that and couldn’t have been more pleased. It was way more fun helping her win than to win personally.
It would seem that our Lord has a similar perspective in regard to us. The author of Jude proclaims that our God is able to keep us from falling and, in fact, can make us stand—and without blemish to boot!
As perpetually wayward people, this is incredibly good news. A quick audit of any one of our lives will reveal huge discrepancies between what is and what ought to be. And although we are sometimes able to make improvements here and there, at the end of the day we still all fall short.
It continues to baffle me why our Lord would have any remaining interest in us. Surely humanity should have been given up as a lost cause millennia ago.
Not so, according to Jude and, in fact, the overall witness of all of the Scriptures. It’s as if, without us, the Lord would have no purpose at all.
Well then, at least we’re good for something! ☺
Prayer: Dear Lord, what can I say but thanks again for propping up your people in order that we might be able to stand in your sight with both glory and rejoicing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(readings today included: Hebrews 12-13 and Jude)
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