Peripatetics: The Art of Walking
Thursday, September 30, 2004
I think that the Christian community is a little fuzzy on the nature of confession. I know people that actually have accountability partners who literally confess sins to one another. I know people that keep it between them and God and they "grocery list" their sins. I have Catholic friends who go to a priest and confess their sins.
I think I'm a little fuzzy on the nature of confession. I've done all of the above. Well, I haven't gone to a Catholic priest, but I went with a friend of mine when he went because he needed to go by there and take care of business on a holy day before we went out to the movie. I didn't go all the way into the confessional, but I peeked around.
Anyway, since we looked at the act of confession and why it is important yesterday I thought we'd look at the content of confession, and Nehemiah 9 is a healthy example.
And I can't really get away from the idea the confession involves us realizing that God is indeed God and we are not Him. It starts in verse 5 and 6, from The Message:
"...You're the one, God, you alone;
You made the heavens, the heavens of heavens, and all the angels...
(then to the end of verse 8)
...And you kept your word, because you are righteous."
They reviewed the faithfulness of God in the history of Israel.
Then the confession of the bullheaded ancestors begins in verse 16. Their arrogance. They wouldn't obey God. They didn't listen. They were stubborn.
They forgot to remember.
But then the focus immediately goes back to God! His grace. His compassion. His patience. His love. In verse 20, God even gave them the Holy Spirit to teach them to live wisely...it goes on for 6 more verses about how great God is!
Then more confession. Mutiny. Rebellion. Killed the messengers. Jaws set in defiance. Turned backs. Again with the failure to listen.
But around verse 31 the focus goes back to God again. Great. Majestic. Loyal.
Then back to confession. Failure to listen. Failure to recognize His faithfulness and provision.
Again, they forgot to remember.
And in The Message, the confession ends with these words: "We're in deep trouble."
In here somewhere, the fuzziness of confession clears up a bit, don't you think? We tell God our shortcomings, our failures, our forgetting to remember. We're in deep trouble.
Then we remember to remember. God is great. Majestic. Loyal. Gracious. Compassionate...the list could go on forever. It will, actually.
But I do believe that even our confession should wind up with praise of God, because He's actually already forgiven us...but we should remember that He is God and we're not, and confessing our sins reminds us of that reality.
Brent 4:00 AM
Comments:
I think this all goes back to how we all go through highs and lows in our Christian walk. We can be walking with Him one minute and life is great, but in the next, we forget how we were doing it before. Rachel, Katy and I (the other Katie) were talking about this the other day. We want to be desperate for Him, but we don't know how to remember to remember that that is what we want. We just forget sometimes. I heard a song the other day that sort of talked about this. She sang, "I think it's time I rediscover all the ground that I have covered, like "Seek Ye first" what a verse. We are pressed but not crushed, perplexed, but don't despair. We are persecuted, but not abandoned. We are no longer slaves, we are daughters and sons, and when we are weak, we are very strong." -Sara Groves. We are basically just going through a cycle in life. We remember these things then forget them, then remember again, but how can we force ourselves to remember all the time?
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Wednesday, September 29, 2004
After rescuing the city of Jerusalem from ruins, Nehemiah and Ezra decided it was time for the Jewish remnant to become a light to the world again. After a 7-month period in which the dispersed Israelites moved back to the city, a worship service was held...smack in the middle of the public square.
They read the Word. They stood in excitement, bowed in reverence and began to grieve at their own sin.
But Ezra and Nehemiah noticed the mourning and weeping and were forced to remind the Israelites that this day was for celebration. For what we call "fellowship." To take part in a great feast, and in fact, found in the Law a festival of booths to which they immediately spent a week celebrating...and part of the food & drink was a steady diet of the Word of God, too.
And, on the 8th day, a solemn assembly was held. And recorded in Nehemiah 9.
They began fasting. Now lots of books have been written that include the discipline of fasting (self-denial, usually of food for some pre-determined period of time), and I'm not sure that I fully understand the ins and outs of it, but they were doing it. Another echo to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6, too.
The put sackcloth and ashes on themselves. They were dirty. The symbolism is obvious. Personal poverty before God. An admission that God is God and I'm not. Poor in spirit. Sermon on the Mount, again.
Verse 2 tells us that the Israelites gathered together and had a national day of repentance. They confessed their sins. They talked about where their forefathers went astray.
I've been thinking about confession, too.
It doesn't really benefit God...us sitting down and grocery listing sins. He knows what we did anyway.
It benefits us. And not because we get a clean slate to begin living a better life, either...that's a false view. See, when Christ died for our sins, how many of our particular sins were in the future? Obviously, all of them. They're already forgiven. So, why confess?
I think it comes down to the sackcloth and ashes thing. That we are spiritually poor. Remember Jesus' phrase in the Sermon on the Mount? "Blessed are those who mourn..." We're at peace with God when we realize how impoverished we are before Him. That He is God and I'm not.
And that's what gives us the freedom to run the good race of Hebrews 12: 1, "Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus..."
It doesn't hurt to notice that Hebrews 12 follows the famous "Hall of Faith" listed in Chapter 11. When we review God's work in people of history and His faithfulness, for some reason, the next logical steps is celebration. Then confession.
It happens in Nehemiah 9, too.
And the obvious mind vitamin today: Do you really sense a spiritual poverty before God? Why or why not? And if so, when will it be "clearinghouse" time for you so you can run the race unencumbered?
And, if you're so inclined to comment, re-read the section above that ends with "why confess" and tell me if you agree or disagree.
Brent 4:45 AM
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
In last week's study (you can get those by hitting the "archives" link...this blog only shows 7 days at a time) we saw how David was glad to be going to Jerusalem for the festivals, and we took a look at the nature of those festivals. They would've been feasts that went on for days and a chance to spend time having fun.
We saw in Acts 2 (again, last week's study) how one of the four things the early church did that separated them from the "perverse generation" was fellowship.
And now it comes up again in Nehemiah 8. Now remember from the preceding chapter that the Israelites had moved back to Jerusalem after it had been repaired from ruins. Seven months later they held a memorable worship service that began with a reading from Scripture.
In verse 9 of chapter 8 the Israelites seem to fully understand their standing before God. After 300 or so years of being dispersed and having generations forget who they were supposed to be, they heard God's Word.
At first there were plenty of "Amens" from the crowd as they recalled God's faithfulness to them throughout history. Then there was reverence and bowing in worship. Reading the Law will indeed show you the holiness of God.
But it will also show you something else, too: The reality that you are not God. We are not holy. We are sinful people in need of God rescuing us. It's been that way since Adam.
And note the reaction their understanding of that reality provoked their hearts. They wept. In fact, they were bordering on mourning...which we hear echoes of in the Sermon on the Mount (see archives). Their understanding of their unfaithfulness...their sin...caused them to weep.
But look at the reaction of Ezra the priest. He sees this reaction. He has an understanding of what this day is supposed to be about. There'll be time for confession later. Today is about celebration, Israel. In fact, throw a party. Eat meat together. Drink wine together. In fact, make sure that the people who don't have anything get enough to eat and drink, too. This day is for celebration.
And isn't it amazing how it was a concern that everyone be a part of the celebration? No one left out.
And isn't it amazing how important fellowship is? We've seen it over and over again. I remain convinced that for all of our theological propriety, for all our political posturing, for all of our logical apologetics, for all our "rightness"...none of it matters unless we OUT LIVE those that don't know Christ.
If Christ made a claim that we have an abundant life...
...well...
...when those outside the faith look at our lives...
...are we really OUT LIVING them?
And how can we out live them unless we're joyfully spending time together, in true celebration and living life together?
I stand firm on the idea that fellowship is crucial in the spiritual life of those that follow God, and to make it a lower priority than study of the Word or prayer or the sacrements is a horrible mistake.
And, as a tribe, we make it too often. So, do you agree or disagree?
Brent 4:04 AM
Monday, September 27, 2004
Nehemiah 7: 1 starts out announcing that the wall was rebuilt and the doors to the city were in place. Jerusalem, for the first time in 300 years, was secure, and a faithful leader was in charge.
Unless you know the background of the story, this reality won't mean too much to you. See, the nation of Israel hadn't really had too much ability to be the nation of Israel since about 732 B.C. A series of military invasions and occupations had caused the people to be dispersed...and if you know much about Jewish history, well, that's pretty consistent.
This revival started with a man named Nehemiah...a high-ranking and trusted government official who felt a tremendous sorrow that Jerusalem was in ruins. Imagine. The city that David couldn't wait to visit for festivals...the place that allowed Israel to come together and celebrate being Israel...the place where the Temple, the home of God, was...the one place on the planet where Israel could be the light of the world and the city on the hill to show everyone that their life was abundant because they were walking with God...yes, THAT city. Ruins.
Nehemiah got the ball rolling and restored the city in record time. He even did it against much opposition. See, the enemies of Israel had a vested interest in making sure that Jerusalem stayed in ruins. Ruins of hundreds of years were cleared up in a matter of months...no mean task.
Small problem, though. Over generations, Israel had forgotten to remember what it means to be Israel. Just sort of drifted away...generation by generation...until they knew they were Jewish and had some sort of heritage that was unique...but they more or less forgot their God and moved on with their lives.
Nehemiah remembered, though. Fixed the city, but there wasn't anyone to live in it. So, he puts out notice to anyone that remembers they are God's chosen people that Jerusalem is open for business again with land and such available and Chapter 7 gives us details of who moved back in. It took 7 months (verse 73), but they got all moved in.
Now what? Kind of like our Acts 2 study...3,000 people got saved, now what happens?
In chapter 8, verses 1--12, we see that it's time to remember what they'd forgotten. An assembly of the nation was called in the town square. They were going to listen to Ezra, the priest.
And he pulled out scrolls. The Law. Even had a special podium made for the occasion.
Verse 5 staggers me. When the book of the Law was opened the people knew enough to revere it. The stood out of respect for the reality that God was communicating with them.
We've lost that, I think. Hebrews 4: 12 tells us the Word of God is living and active (as opposed to some dead & lazy book irrelevant to our culture) and able to change our very souls. 2 Timothy 3: 16 tells us it's the very breath of God...which has the express purpose of making us grow in Christ (4 particular effects if you read the verses). 1 Timothy 1:5 tells us that the goal of the teaching is love. That when people will grow in Christ, they will love God, and as a consequence, love each other.
Now, Ezra was reading a book that didn't talk about the love of Christ, but rather the faithfulness of God. If he was reading the Pentateuch as I suspect he was, the reaction of the people is easily explained.
The creation account. Noah. Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. Moses. The Exodus. In verse 6 they would've been giving the "Amens" like nobody's business because of remembering God's faithfulness to their nation. They would've bowed low in reverence at the giving of the Law. Verse 8 tells us that they were having to have to book translated since most of the people had forgotten to remember what it means to be Israel that they now spoke Aramaic instead of Hebrew. Imagine. Jewish people not even using Hebrew.
They had forgotten to remember.
And, in verse 9...it made them weep. It went straight to their souls. God's Word will do that. Says so right there in Hebrews.
We'll talk more about that tomorrow. But for today (and if you're still with us on this long devotion, then I'm pretty happy about it) take a mind vitamin on this: Can you think of a time when you really leaned on God and He showed Himself to be faithful to you? When was it, and how can remembering that encourage you?
Journal prompt for today (or give us all your insights in the "comments" section!): In our churches, we tend to unzip our Bible covers and dive right into the text during a sermon or Sunday School class. What can we do to regain a reverence for God's living and active Scripture?
Brent 7:03 AM
Comments:
I think the evidence of God's faithfulness was most evident to me when i realized how much i didn't lean on Him and yet He has always and continues to be a very present help in time of need.
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Sunday, September 26, 2004
Let's take a second to look at where we've been...
In the first three weeks, we've been setting the background for taking information from your head to your heart. This involves realizing that an abundant life is out there to be lived, and that in order to start it off we have to understand that not only will the Father welcome all prodigals, He will also take us on a genuine adventure if we choose to follow.
Last week, we looked at Psalm 122 and asked ourselves the question, "What was it that got David so excited about going to Jerusalem?" We reviewed the festivals, and then spent the bulk of our time in the New Testament book of Acts to see how the early church functioned and we saw what the members were continually devoted to: The apostle's teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayer.
In order to get ready for class tonight, re-read Acts 2: 41--47. Then spend some time reading Nehemiah, chapters 7-10, and see if you can pick out any similarities between the early church and the worship assembly that occurred after the wall was rebuilt.
List them, and bring them to class tonight for discussion.
Brent 4:44 AM
Saturday, September 25, 2004
3,000 souls came to know Christ that day (in roughly 33 A.D. or so). A new life began for them. A life that wasn't separating "Christian" from "secular." It was a new way of filtering the same data...and responding to that filtering in a new way as well. It was a new way of walking. New peripatetics, if you will.
It was a life that involved being taught. Being taught by apostles who knew what they were talking about...first-hand. Literally, first-hand. They were devoted to this stuff. It wasn't just where they went on Sunday to hang out and see and be seen. They were hearing a new way of looking at the Old Testament, both The Law and the Prophets. 400 years and nothing authoritative from God...now, God has intervened not only in history but also in their own lives. There's no way around it. They were devoted to this new teaching.
It was a life that involved fellowship. It was a new way of loving people and being loved by people. It was being known by people. It was knowing people. I can't imagine what their discussions were like. Reinterpreting entire portions of Scripture in light of new revelations. In light of New Revelation. But they did life together in a meaningful way. It was more than the weather and the scores of ball games, but those were part of it, too.
It was a life that involved eating together in some sort of formal fashion. If you believe this to be The Lord's Supper, that's fine. If you believe this was less than sacramental, that's okay, too. But they broke bread together. And sharing a meal meant much more in their culture than it does in these times...so it was important.
It was life that was devoted to prayer. Continually. Later, this tribe would get words like "pray without ceasing" and "lifting up holy hands in prayer" and other items that probably confused them a bit less than it does for us...but they talked to and with God. They were dealing with God in a less formal way now. They didn't have to use a priest or prophet anymore. They hadn't heard the words yet, but now the only mediator between God and man was Christ and they could boldly approach the throne of grace. And those were weren't words that had become so common that they were callous to them.
It was life of Spirit-filled awe.
It was a life of togetherness. All things were in common. "Garage sales" were going on, to take care of each other. A close-knit Jewish culture was becoming even more close-knit. The needy were having needs met. Those with too much stuff were enjoying a minimalism with a smile.
Every day they were going to the temple together. I imagine the old pathways had a new familiarity.
They were taking meals together. In each other's homes.
They were worshipping in a new way. Together. Outsiders were drawn by watching this culture at work (see the new book recommendation to the left...The Celtic Way of Evangelism...a treatise on this entire idea).
They were happy people. Sincere people. Walking with God.
And we can hear the newfangled echoes of David's words in Psalm 122: "I was glad when they said, 'Let us go to the house of theLord.'"
Life together. Authentic. Joyful. Transparent. Loving. Being loved.
Wow.
Brent 1:02 AM
Friday, September 24, 2004
I've been thinking about America's Never-Ending Garage Sale (eBay). People have extra stuff. They let you know that you can buy their extra stuff. You can buy stuff you want. Other people might want it, too, so you try to outbid them. Then you pay for the stuff. Then they mail the stuff to you. Now you have extra stuff.
I've also been thinking about people that don't have stuff. Or maybe they need stuff. Floridians need fresh water or food to prepare for yet another storm coming. Haitians need drainage help for the same reason. People in barrios in Mexico need more permanent shelters. Native Americans need schoolbooks. A child my student ministry sponsors needs medical help and clothes.
The two aren't necessarily related. I mean, I'm not anti-stuff. I'm far from a minimalist (although there's an admirable nod to that philosophy).
But I look at Acts 2: 44 & 45, "And all those who believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need."
God graciously provided the early church with extra stuff. They sold their stuff. They shared the profits from their stuff with those that had a need.
The mind vitamin today is obvious to me: Look at your stuff. Look for needs. Find a way to use your stuff to meet a need or two. And, don't be afraid to loosely define "stuff." It could be your time, or a written note, cash for a NEED, or even just listening to somebody...but try to serve somebody else.
Journal prompt: "The greatest lie I have ever contended with is this: That life is a story about me."--Donald Miller
Brent 5:18 AM
Thursday, September 23, 2004
It should be getting a bit more familiar to you, but glance over Acts 2: 41--47 again. Just to get the feel of it. And keep in mind we've talked about our unique tribe as well as the different things the early church did that made them unique (see below).
3,000 souls added to the tribe.
The next thing that happened is the church started growing spiritually. They devoted themselves to sound teaching. They hung out together. They ate together. They prayed.
Note the result of this in verse 43: "And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. Verse 44 reads: "And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common..."
Awe.
Merriam-Webster defines it this way: "an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime."
In my world, a football team can be awesome. So can a plate of spaghetti. A girl. Parents or teachers. I don't think we really get the meaning behind the word, though.
But their emotions were on edge. God was at work in their midst. They saw it. They were watching people of "a perverse generation" saved by grace, feeding on the Word of God, and they are literally struck with awe.
I think we lost that sometimes. We get in our Christian bubble and we read the Word, we get used to growth in ourselves as well as in those around us, the sacraments don't seem so sacred in plastic cups, and we ho-hum answers to prayer requests.
In the words of Ian Thomas, "We forget to remember."
We forget the saving work of God in our lives.
We forget where we were in the past and the work He is doing currently, not to mention the glorious promises regarding what we will be in the future (for you theology fans, when our sanctification is completed).
We forget the wonderful reminder of hope and unity and faith that, say, the Lord's Supper truly is (even if we use Nabisco crackers and plastic cups). And to think that every time we do that, Jesus is abstaining from it, waiting until He drinks it with us in The Kingdom. And He will, too.
We spend so much time with Christians that when people inform us about that college acceptance letter that confirms to us where God wants us, or when someone gets a better grade in the class, or didn't drink at the party for the first time in a year, or their parents started listening to them, or the dad that is recovering from surgery quite nicely, or...you get the idea. We have a tendency to "ho-hum" those acts of God we ought to
be...
awed...
by.
So, today...take some time. Slow down. Be sensitive to what God is doing in, around and through you today. No mind vitamin for that, but you can journal if you decide to fill up the page with stuff that God is doing in, around or through you.
But I heard a speaker at a youth conference say one time: "Conference halls make me go 'hmmmm.' Drawing close to God makes me go 'WHOA!'"
We need more "whoa" in our lives, don't you think?
Brent 4:04 AM
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
So, the church gets off to a pretty interesting start. 3,000 souls added in one day. They come into one tribe (see yesterday's entry)...with their own identity...with their own way of doing life together.
What happens to them now? The life-changing event has taken place. They've come into a relationship with their Lord and Savior. What does "doing life together" look like?
Read Acts 2: 41--47 a couple of times. Sorta to refresh your brain a little bit.
Let's focus on v. 42: "And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
The first word that leaps out is "continually." They didn't have a "church" life and a "real" life. It was simply life. 24-7-365 (366 in leap years). All too often we have our lives divided in a way that it was never intended. We have our "church" friends and our "school" friends. We have Christian bookstores to handle our specific needs and Christian radio that only Christians listen to. I just can't bring myself to see it that way. It's just life. And we live it out continually...whether or not we're with "church" people or at "church."
Then we get a list of four things that "looks" like:
1) Devoting yourself to teaching. Sound, authoritative teaching at that. And in our society we can get our hands on some of the best teachers of our time. We're not limited to traveling preachers who happen to be coming through town or whoever the parish sticks us with. We can get books, CD's, radio programs, sermons on line, excellent churches with solid, Bible believing expositors, Sunday School classes...the whole deal. One mark of the believer is a desire for consisent teaching. Being a disciple means being committed to a lifetime of learning from those further down the path.
2) Fellowship. Rubbing shoulders with others on that path. In my student ministry, I call it "mileage." Those people doing whatever they do together. It could be watching an NFL game. Or building a house in Mexico (or the bus ride to and from). It could be grabbing a bite to eat together. A good question to get conversations going with other believers: "So, what's God teaching you these days about Himself and yourself?" Spending time with other believers was paramount to them.
3) The breaking of bread. A common meal together. Probably much like a pot-luck supper. Could be the celebration of the Lord's Supper (which, in early times might have been difficult to determine where the Lord's Supper began and the pot-luck ended). But either way, they spent time together at meals, and had a specific time to do it.
4) Prayer. They prayed together. Maybe it was out loud. It doesn't matter. But I think we've lost that communal effort of group prayer. Just talking to God, honestly from our hearts. Slowing down and allowing God's thoughts to be our thoughts and His perspective to seep deep into our pores so that we begin seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness. It ain't rocket science. Sometimes we act like it is rocket science because we get confused and just decide not to do it because we don't understand it. But praying together was part of that life.
So the mind vitamins/journal prompts are pretty easy today: In what ways have you divided your life into "secular" and "Christian" compartments? What part of these four marks of the early church are you strong in? Weak? What can you do to enhance the strong ones? Develop the weaker ones?
Brent 4:05 AM
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
A New Testament passage that correlates to yesterday's insights from Psalm 122 (see entry below) comes from Acts, chapter 2. Take a few minutes and read Acts 2: 41--47 a couple of times. We'll be here for a couple of days.
Anyway, Davids was excited when he heard that he was going to Jerusalem for the festivals. And why not? His experience with his community enjoying life together with each other and with God was one he would always look forward to.
But we don't have the pillar of fire leading us by night and the cloud by day, do we? We don't have Moses coming down and giving us the Law, do we? We didn't have God provide for us every day during the 40 years in the wilderness, did we? Maybe there's some loose tie since we're the "seed of Abraham" but, what do we have to reflect on that gives us reason to look forward to church?
I mean, we work hard during the week. In some cases, the weekends are even busier. Why should there be excitement in waking up early, getting dressed, singing some songs, hearing 35 minutes of a sermon...and being late for the kickoff of the NFL games?
But there should be an excitement, and there are several reasons in Acts 2 that we'll be looking at over the next few days. The first is found in verse 41.
Keep in mind this is after a LONG sermon Peter gives in Acts 2...one that you may even want to read. He gives a background on prophecy and how it all pointed to Christ. The hearers were so enthralled that they literally asked Peter to lead them to salvation. 3,000 people took him up on the offer.
3,000 people. One sermon. Now into one family.
The historian Josephus refers to us as "the Tribe known as Christians." I like that. We become family. Our very own tribe, united by Christ and His work. We have our own history (much richer and storied than our American perspective, too), our own traditions (everything from creeds to our own day for worship to cathedrals to megachurch praise music), our own identity in the world.
And in many ways, we've lost the excitment of all that. That on Sundays, we get to come together and celebrate a life well-lived with our "tribe." And I think it's something we should strive to "get back."
Mind vitamin/journal prompt for today: What is your primary emotion and primary thoughts when you begin to think through your Sunday? Going to your small groups? What do you think causes your thoughts to go that particular way?
Brent 4:05 AM
Comments:
this is the first time i have ever been onthis..and yes i am in 4th period!!! thsi is a great nspiration and Brent, i want to thank you for listening and teaching this series...your doing a great jobn and the Holy Spirit seems to be calling on something in our minds to move and take action..this site is GREATNESS!
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Monday, September 20, 2004
There's a scene from the '80's movie "Animal House" in which the brothers of Delta Tau Chi (led by John Belushi) had a party with their favorite bands, Otis Day and the Knights. They sing a song called "Shout!" that sends the toga-clad fraternity boys and their dates into a dance frenzy.
Hands were thrust out in unison, singing was loud, dancing was the order of the day. They were even getting "a little bit softer now" and crouching low and then they got "a little bit louder now" and screamed along with the band. Guys sang along. Girls danced. They "gatored" on the floor. Everybody was together, and still doing their own things.
They were having fun. Together.
I was in a fraternity in college. We had fun. Together. On occasion, it involved togas.
We did "life" together. The ups. The downs. 60 or so of us in the same house together. We ate together,usually two times a day. We traveled together to football games or ski trips. We studied together (well, at least enough to get "C's"). We had parties together...often involving song and dance, and "Shout" was one that usually got us going.
It didn't take much to get me fired up when word of the upcoming party started to spread. We looked forward to our Thursday night socials for a variety of reasons.
That's why I can relate to David's words in Psalm 122: "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.' Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem."
He then talks about it being an important city, which gave Israel a place to come together and worship the Lord. Therefore, peace and prosperity is a worthy prayer...because if there's peace and a good economy, well, everybody can focus on God and have a great time together.
What were these festivals that got David so keyed up to get excited to go to Jerusalem? Well, the Law prescribed three annual feasts. The first, a 7-day festival held in April, was the Feast of the Passover. It commemorated the events of the Exodus. The second, a one-day festival in June called the Feast of the Pentecost celebrated the giving of the Law. The third festival was called the Feast of Tabernacles which took place over 6 days in October. (Eventually, the Israelites added a few more to commemorate the story in Esther or the cleansing of the Temple by the Macabees).
One reason David would be excited would be the sense of community that would be developed. Not only would you travel with your family but you'd also get to be reunited with others who were in a relationship with God, too.
You'd also get to think about how faithful God has been to you, and not only you, but to others in relationship with Him as well, over all time and history. You'd bring an offering. You'd tell the stories and re-live them. You'd sing about them. You'd read about them.
And you'd have a party. With food and drink and dancing and staying out too late and by the end of the week or day, I'd imagine there'd be more memories and a refueling of the work of God in your midst. You'd be awed (tomorrow's lesson) by the fact that you were a part of God's economy. It'd be a celebration of God by the people of God.
So, with that in mind, today's mind vitamin/journal prompt: What is your attitude towards going to church? What about David's attitude/experience can you relate to? What about it do you not identify with?
Brent 7:08 AM
Sunday, September 19, 2004
In order to get ready for tonight's class, you might want to read through Psalm 122 a few times. You might want to ask yourself why David was excited when he heard they would be going to Jerusalem for the festivals.
Also, take a few minutes to ask why David was so concerned with the welfare of Jerusalem.
We're also going to be talking a little about Acts 2: 42-47. Make a few notes as to what characteristics you see in the church...what was it that relates to Psalm 122?
In the first three weeks, we've been setting the background for taking information from your head to your heart...you remember...it involves realizing that an abundant life is out there to be lived, and that in order to start it off we have to understand that not only will the Father welcome all prodigals, He will also take us on a genuine adventure if we choose to follow.
Now, we're going to start talking about making that move from the head...
Fasten your seat belts.
Brent 5:19 AM
Saturday, September 18, 2004
From The Message:
"After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God. 'Time's up! God's Kingdom is here. Change you life and believe the Message.'
Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.
A dozen yards orso down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee's sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat and the hired hands, and followed."
Every time I read this account of the stories discussed in the previous entries below, I'm stuck by the word "immediately" and the words "They dropped their nets and followed."
Maybe it's me, but there are too many times when Jesus asks me to do something through His Word (the Bible) that "immediately" is not something that pops into my brain. I actually like those things I'm doing, so I'm not inclined to stop.
I like to hang on to the nets...those things that give me security and purpose. They're safe.
Dropping a net and following is an unknown and dangerous, and possibly "stupid" proposition. But, it's part of the adventure...one in which we might just see the heavens opened.
Mind vitamin/journal prompt: Is there anything you're holding on to that keeps you from following and missing the adventure? Why do you think you tend to do that? What practical things can you do to change that tendency?
Brent 7:40 AM
Comments:
I had the oppertuinity to whitness to a friend of mine who is Hindu this week. It truely is a pretty amazing experience when you feel God using you.
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Friday, September 17, 2004
Simon told Andrew: We've found the Messiah. They stick around to see what happens.
Jesus challenges Philip: "Come, follow me."
Philip tells Nathanael: We've found the Messiah. The One our nation's been waiting for for at least 400 years. He's here."
Nathanael can't envision anyone or anything good coming from Nazareth...it ain't that great of a town. Philip says that he should go look and check it out for himself. He does.
I love the way The Message translates the next verse, when Jesus says to Nathanael, "There's a real Israelite, not a false bone in his body."
Can you imagine? Nathanael has never met Jesus that we know of. Christ knew him, though. And Nathanael knows Jesus knows him, too. "How do you know that?" Jesus tells him that He saw him under the fig tree.
Nathanael realizes that Philip is right and announces it, "You are the Son of God, the Messiah, the King."
Jesus tells him that it's really not so much to believe in me just because I knew about the fig tree. Nathanael, if you follow me, you'll see some of the most amazing things you've ever seen. You'll see heaven opened up. You'll see angels descend. You'll see the Son of Man ascend.
Are you following this? The abundant life involves "following." You don't get a road map. You don't have the end in mind. You don't get a business plan. Just follow.
Then adventure like you can't even imagine.
But you have to follow. Taking a page from yesterday...you leave everything and follow.
If you want it to go from head to heart, you have to leave everything and follow.
So, today's mind vitamin/journal prompt: Is there anything keeping you from leaving everything and following Him? What and why? What can you lose if you decide to? What can you gain?
Brent 4:01 AM
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Psalm 121, with its theme of each individual can trust God as the keeper of their very own soul on the journey, leads us to our approach of trusting in another type of very real journey.
Read Luke 5: 1--11 a couple of times. Get the feel of the story.
There's a multitude trying to get close to this revolutionary they've been hearing about. The text describes that crowd as pressing in on him...which would make things difficult as he's already on the shore of Lake Gennesaret.
There's a solution to the situation very close by. A couple of boats. A couple of fishermen cleaning their nets at the end of a lousy night of fishing (we'll see that later in the story, actually. Hope I didn't spoil anything for you). The teacher can get in the boat, push out a little way from shore and alleviate some of the crowding problem.
The Rabbi sits down. Lets the crowd know that teaching will commence. He teaches. Scripture doesn't tell us what He said...must not be important to this story. Obviously, the emphasis is on what happens next, although, if there's a DVD collection in The Kingdom I'd be interested in seeing/hearing whatever the lesson was.
After the sermon we get an odd occurrence: A known carpenter says to experienced, professional fishermen, "Go deep. That's where the fish are right now. Go fishing again."
If we read verse 5, we can almost read a lot into Simon's fatigued answer. It probably was something like this: "Master (an interesting choice of address, don't you think?), us PROFESSIONAL FISHERMEN worked ALL NIGHT LONG. We fish this lake all night, every night, and last night, there wasn't a fish to be caught. But, if YOU say so, we'll load up all our clean nets and go out during the DAYTIME in the DEEP WATER...and I don't even want to get started on cleaning it all again before we go to bed."
They obeyed. They fished.
And they got unprecedented results. So full of fish the nets were breaking. Get help. Help arrives. Fish are caught and put on boats. Boats begin to sink.
Simon Peter gets the big picture. This professional fisherman, who worked all night long on the lake he fishes all night every night and caught nothing, no has a daytime catch like he's never seen in all his days. This is obviously not normal. Nope, this must be supernatural. That can be the only conclusion. God is at work here.
The fisherman reacts the way we all would react when it dawns on all of us who are unholy when we encounter the Holy: "Please get away from me. Please. You are God and I'm not and I don't think we should be in the same place."
The whole team is amazed. Look it up. It'll mean more than what you think it does.
Jesus tells Simon, "Don't be afraid. You'll still be fishing...but for men. And men don't live in water. They're land dwellers. We've got to go do that, which will mean getting a bit further from this lake."
They leave everything they've ever known to go land/man fishing. Their jobs. Their identities. Their money. Their family.
The adventure begins. A very real journey...in which God will be the keeper of their souls. And Psalm 121 echoes: Their feet won't slip...the sun won't get them, or nightfall...no evil will overcome them.
Trust. Follow. Fish for mankind.
What does this look like in a moment-by-moment life for you?
Brent 4:39 AM
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Yesterday, we saw how the Psalm came on the heels of 120, and that each individual should realize that their help comes from the Lord who made the mountains. It's important that we see that the pronouns used here are all "individual" because, as we'll see in a later study, trust can also be "corporate" as a body of believers.
After we realize that our help comes from the Lord, well, what does that "look" like? I mean, what if He should fail us somehow? What if God made all that stuff and then doesn't really care too much about me and what I'm going through right now?
In verse 3 the psalmist reassures us: He won't allow our feet to slip. This would've been a visual picture to them...remember, they were walking to Jerusalem for the feast. A slip on the path...like a turned ankle on a rock or whatever would make such a journey miserable. Sure, you might walk, and you might get there, but you won't enjoy it. It won't be what it should be. Our footing will be sure on this journey.
Well, what if God gets tired or sleepy? Nope. The God who keeps me doesn't sleep. In fact, the God who keeps all of His people doesn't nap or sleep...even if we're traveling when it's dark or we get weary.
In verse 5 we see that God is our "keeper." It isn't the first time we've seen God as a Shepherd/animal keeper. The 23rd Psalm really does a good job of showing us this reality.
On this journey, not even the hot sun can beat us down. We'll even get a covering when the moon and the predators come out. This journey is well watched over.
So, not only does God protect us from all evil, He's the keeper of our soul. Wow. The Creator of the Universe is keeping our very souls. Wow, again.
Finally, in verse 8 we see that He not only guards our right now, but He guards our future as well.
Okay, so God protects us on this journey and guards our present and future. I wonder how our lives would look differently if we really believed this and lived it out. So...
That's our mind vitamin/journal prompt for today: If I really believed this reality and lived it out, what would change?
Brent 4:05 AM
Comments:
these questions are very thought provoking. i really like this site. - thanks for putting in the time to do it!
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Tuesday, September 14, 2004
You remember the practical nature of the Psalms of Ascent, right? It was the hymnal the Israelites used primarily for worship as they traveled (usually as entire families) from wherever they lived to Jerusalem for the festivals. Usually, the family would go three times per year as the nation came together for hearty celebrations and reunions.
I don't think it's coincidence, by the way, that these particular Psalms are arranged in the order they are. However, even if it was by coincidence, there's certainly a case that could be made for the idea that they are in many ways a guide for spiritual renewal.
And Psalm 120, the first one, sets forth the idea that we've been buying into the ways of the world. You know, living in tents in Kedar. Dwelling in Meshech. If you don't know what those terms mean, feel free to check the archives for a longer discussion of this psalm.
So, look how 121 starts: "I will lift my eyes..." Why would he have to lift his eyes? I don't think it's too much of a stretch that, if you've just been confessing your "woes" to God...that you've been thinking the way the world thinks instead of how God thinks...well, a position of humility would be bowing before the Person you're confessing to. So, he will now lift his eyes.
He sees mountains in the distance. Now, you need to know that I've never been to Israel. It's on my "to-do" list. But others have written that from pretty much any area you were coming from to go to the festivals, you could see mountains in the distance.
There are at least two ways to interpret the question the author asks. First, he could be asking if the mountains could actually help him. Something like, "Do these mountains give me help?" Obviously, rhetorically, the answer is no.
Or, it could be that in many of those mountain tops, worship of false gods took place there. If this were the case, the question might sound like, "Do the gods who people think live in those mountains give me help?" Again, the answer is no.
Either way you choose to interpret it (I tend to lean towards the first one, but I like the 2nd one...I'm a sucker for good stories), the answer is still no.
Well, where is his help going to come from?
Verse 2: My help comes from the Lord. The Lord that made heaven and earth. I guess if you make "it," then you're more powerful than whatever "it" might be. That's it. He just knows where his strength, his help, comes from. THE Lord. Maker of Heaven and earth.
So, today's mind vitamin: What are some things you tend ot look for "help" from before you seek the Lord?
And, today's journal prompt: A time in the past I tried to fix a problem using my own abilities or resources was ___________. The results of this were ____________.
Brent 4:05 AM
Monday, September 13, 2004
Have you ever seen the movie Bruce Almighty? It stars Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston. The basic plot is that Bruce (Jim Carrey) gets to be "God" for a while and discovers what's really important to him in life along the way.
There's a scene at the climax of the movie when Bruce has lost everything. He used his powers as God to get promotions, get the girl, get all he wanted out of life. And then it all crumbled. He lost the job. He lost the girl. He lost his friends. He lost his stuff.
After a big fight with his girlfriend "Grace" (interesting choice of a name for a girlfriend, eh?) and realizing he'd now lost everything he goes for a drive. He wrecks his car, and gets out in the rain and has a long talk with God. The soliloquy begins with the quote I listed for the title of this entry.
Bruce then screams at God, "I surrender my will to You." He's kneeling in the highway and then gets run over by a truck.
The scene switches to heaven. God says, "Bruce, just because you're praying doesn't mean you can kneel down in the highway." The next scene God tells Bruce he has a "divine spark" of making people laugh and should be using that gift for others. And then he sends Bruce back from his near death experience to do just that.
Well, since we've been into this study for three weeks, looking at the idea that we're supposed to have an abundant life, and that God will welcome all of us who want to come back to him "in," followed by the realization that a revolution of sorts is to take place in our hearts and minds to affect the planet...well, what's next?
I'd suggest that you read Psalm 121 in that context. Following the beginning of Psalm 120 where we have to admit we've been doing it our way for so long (hit the archives for a discussion of that) and now we've come to the end of ourselves. Psalm 121 starts out with that type of posture as Bruce's: Head down in humble stature, and then having to raise up our eyes.
So, read Psalm 121. Take a look at what you lift your eyes to. Try to discover all the ways God will help us. That's quite a mind vitamin.
Journal prompt for today: What's your divine spark? What do you think you've been put here by God to do?
And, in more ways than one...the adventure begins. I mean that sincerely.
Brent 4:42 AM
Sunday, September 12, 2004
So far in this study we've seen several claims of Christ: That there is an abundant life, a deeper life. This lifestyle begins with making a choice between the world (lies) and a life with God, and He will welcome all prodigals, and even get undignified in doing so. This change in the status quo begins with individuals in their own hearts and minds, as we were intended to be a light to the world.
I know, I know. It seems like we're going backwards. That we're really not making much progress in moving anything really from "head to heart." However, it's important to realize that these are realities we need to understand before we CAN move forward..
So, to get ready for tonight's Sunday School class, we've got to deal with some "here and now" kind of things, and you'll find it helpful to read over Psalm 121...the 2nd one in the Psalms of Ascent.
Ask yourself why we might have to "lift our eyes to the mountains," especially in light of the fact that this follows 121. Also try to find ways that God protects us.
Then take a look at a couple of "calling" passages: Luke 5: 2-11 and John 2: 41-51. Make some basic observations, and dig this quote from Eugene Peterson.
“We Christians believe that life is created and shaped by God and that the life of faith is a daily exploration of the constant and countless ways God’s grace and love are experienced."
Brent 4:01 AM
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Seems to me that, in the end of the Sermon on the Mount (which, did you notice, takes three full chapters?) Jesus is informing the people of reality. Now that they've heard the message...
...the message of revolution...
...the listeners have to make some sort of choice.
In verses 13 & 14 we are told that there are two gates: One that is narrow and one that is wide. Oh, and in case you're wondering, He's telling you to choose the narrow one. It's a command of sorts. He doesn't say, "Look at them both and go through the one you want to." Nope. He simply says, "Enter by the narrow gate." Not if you feel like it. Not when you want to. Not if the urge strikes you to.
No. There are some assumptions here, too. That's is personal. I mean, he's talking to "us." That it's urgent. I mean, He's implying "now." That it's a command. I mean, He didn't finish with "please?"
It's also selective. He tells us that most will hop through the wide gate. Which will, knowingly or unknowingly, lead those on it to destruction. Who hops on a freeway that all the signs say, "Destruction, 40 miles ahead?" But, for some reason they will.
But there are some pilgrims who go through the narrow gate. Living the life abundant. Following the leader of the Revolution of Hearts and Minds.
In the closing section, He tells a story that Christians later wrote a children's song about. One with hand motions. One only slightly less annoying than that one about the wheels on the bus. You know, the one about the wise man building his house upon the rock, and rains coming down and floods coming up, and the house on the rock standing still? (Hands up whoever visualized the hand motions! For those that didn't, be relatively thankful.)
Anyway, the choice is between wisdom and foolishness. When the floods of our lives come (and note the storm came on both houses)...well...the wise one will weather them. (All apologies to my surprisingly large and consistent Florida-based readership who are bracing for Hurricane #3).
Narrow gates or houses on rock. Wide gates or shoddy foundations.
There really are only two choices. And the contrasts could not be more clear.
Journal prompt/mind vitamin: If it's so clear cut, why does Jesus tell us that the masses will choose the wide one? What is it about the human condition that draws the majority to live on a shoddy foundation?
Brent 5:28 AM
Friday, September 10, 2004
Today...short and not so sweet (at least not to me):
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where theives do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."--Matthew 6:19--21.
I'll be honest with you. There's always a "wow" factor to me when I read this verse...and sometimes not in a good way. More that convicting type of poke in the heart that we never like to have happen to us.
I mean, if I'm reading this correctly, it means that the things we spend our money on are real indicators of what our souls are like.
Really, that's all we need to talk about today. What did we spend our money on today? The last week? The last month? The last year? What does it say about the state of our souls?
Like the rest of the chapter highlights, God will take care of our true needs. So don't worry.
We're supposed to seek God's Kingdom first and the rest are just details. So don't worry.
If we really trusted God, and sought the Kingdom first, what would we spend our money on? Would it be different than what we did today? Last week? Last month?
Something to journal about, I think.
Brent 4:05 AM
Thursday, September 09, 2004
There's a basic principle that Christ puts forth in 6:1, which reads: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven."
Beggars would line the streets. Those that were acting righteous would make a big production out of giving them financial help. Jesus said don't bother. Just help them. If you're in it for the show, then the show is all you get.
The same with people who would pray in public. Big show. Jesus called them hypocrites...a word that was used for an actor or pretender. Somebody who was deliberately attempting to portray something or somebody they weren't. Again, don't bother. Just pray. And, while you're at it, don't try to impress God with big words. One other thing: Your "vertical" relationship with God has a tie to your "horizontal" relationships with people.
The same with fasting (denying yourself of food to focus on God). Don't do it to be noticed. Do it to focus on God.
Notice all this is after all the talk of revolution in chapter 5. The inward changes are supposed to have outward manifestations. It's all supposed to be natural. Unforced. Unnoticed. Inward changes produce outward results.
Which takes us back to verse 1. Just walk with God. In Spirit and in Truth. The rest takes care of itself. And, oh, yeah. That walking with God thing has some things you can do to make that happen.
Mind vitamin for today: How is your giving to others (not necessarily money, but serving joyfully) these days? Your prayer life? Your...ummm...fasting (uh-oh)?
Journal prompt for today: Do you agree or disagree that true change...real transformation...comes from the inside/out? Can doing the externals help you with your "inside?"
Brent 4:15 AM
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
One of my favorite ways to read the Bible devotionally is simply to read Eugene Peterson's "The Message." Every now and then I've found some awkward translations in it, but by and large I really enjoy the tone and style. In fact, I really like the "Remix" version best because it has the corresponding verses in the margin (which the original doesn't have).
Anyway, grab your favorite translation and read along with Matthew 5: 13-16 here,
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house. Be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."
So, do you see why this version is more devotional in nature? Where are the similarities you see? The differences? I like to make comparisons and contrasts with The Message, and I really do enjoy the devotional type tone.
Anyway, just doing something different, using The Message's translation, while you're going about your day today, think about some specific ways you can bring out the "God-flavors" and "God-colors" of the earth/world by how you walk with Christ today. Or would you consider yourself to be one of those who lost their usefulness? If this is where you are at the moment, what action steps can you take to reverse that station?
Another thought for the day: Are you really open with God? What does that look like in 2004?
Journal prompt for today: Do you agree or disagree with the idea that if you "open up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God?" Why?
Brent 4:05 AM
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
He sat down. The traditional way a rabbi would let everyone know he was officially teaching. Jesus was giving his call to revolution.
The poor in spirit are blessed. Those who understand their spiritual bankruptcy.
The mourners are blessed. Those who grieve because of their bankruptcy.
The gentle are blessed. Those who have their strength under control.
The hungry and thirsty for righteousness are blessed. Those who desire a way of living that honors God.
The merciful will be blessed. Those who don't give others what they deserve.
The pure in heart will be blessed. Those whose mind and heart right.
The peacemakers will be blessed. Those who have a desire to help those at war with God come to peace with God.
The persecuted and slandered will be blessed. Those that pay a price from outsiders because of their walk with Christ.
The outlaws on the hillside wouldn't have wanted to hear these things. That being "blessed" might actually mean being at "peace with God" and that Jesus' call to overthrow the government might sound a bit too personal...that maybe Jesus was calling on a revolution of people's hearts and minds.
To think about today: Are the qualities Jesus said would cause us to be blessed part of your life? Which ones are more prominent than others? Which ones seem most unappealing?
Journal prompt for today: Do you think mankind can really comprehend spiritual bankruptcy and truly mourn because of it? Why or why not?
Brent 4:01 AM
Monday, September 06, 2004
I'm a sucker for stupid movies. Dumb and Dumber. This Is Spinal Tap. Napoleon Dynamite. Raising Arizona. Caddyshack. I can actually label them "classics" and purchase them for my DVD collection. I have no idea what this says about me.
The Monty Python comedy troupe has their own stupid movies out there. Almost everyone in America can quote these British comedians in their search for the Holy Grail. One of my former teenagers actually downloaded the entire script from the Internet. You never know when a quote from that movie at the proper time might come in handy.
One of those stupid movies is called "The Life of Brian." Basically, a guy named Brian is strolling through the Holy Land during the time of Christ and the Python cast skewers all sorts of religions with witty insights.
And one of the stupid scenes in that movie shows Brian and his mom, and an assortment of other characters at the back of the crowd while Jesus was giving The Sermon on the Mount. To show you how silly the scene is, the first words Brian's mom yells during the scene are "Speak up!" Brian quiets his mom, and this cast of characters start "shushing" each other. Because they're so busy shushing, they don't exactly get Jesus' words correctly, asking each other why "cheesemakers" are so blessed, or who the "Greek" is that is going to inherit the earth. I still think it's a funny idea.
Anyway, the shushers have enough of each other and one guy calls another "big nose" and the next thing you know a full-blown brawl ensues, complete with women getting punched and highlighting the reality that the point of the sermon was entirely missed. Some religious leaders walk by, witnessing the fight, and note that what Jesus failed to take into account was that apparently the meek are the ones with the problems. Everyone missed the point.
That's the problem with the Sermon on the Mount. It throws everybody off with all the wonderful words about the mourners, the meek, the pure in heart, the poor in spirit...They're beautiful words, and the underdogs are all welcome.
The reality of the Sermon on the Mount is that these words would've been highly offensive to those within hearing. The people that would've come up on that mountain in the first century were outlaws and ruffians who were looking for the Messiah to come and lead the Jewish nation into revolt against the Roman occupation. It was common practice in those days to try to start a revolution in the hillside. And that's what the multitudes in Matthew 5 would've been itching to hear. You can almost hear swords being sharpened in the background.
Then Jesus blesses all the "wrong" people. How can the meek lead a revolt? The persecuted? The mourners? The thirsty for righteousness? And then to follow that up with those salt and light references...that basically told Israel that you were supposed to be the light of the world and they were stinking at it.
No. This was no polite "feel-good" message. It was a call to revolution. The new King would indeed be ushering in His Kingdom, however, this revolution was for people's hearts and minds. The Kingdom is coming. Just differently than you think. There's a new way of being God's people in this world, and it involves you making a decision of sorts. Don't believe me? Read chapter 7 again.
The people were amazed at his teaching (7:28). But note that not all of them jumped on board. I'm sure many people left disappointed, or confused, or angry, or whatever.
But if you want to move from information in your head to a genuine walk with Christ, it's going to involve revolution...
And that's a dangerous thing: Following a revolutionary. Heady stuff on Labor Day, I know. But take some time to think about what it would take for you to follow a revolutionary, and why, exactly, you might feel compelled to do so. Could it be that the deeper, abundant life involves a change in the status quo of our lives?
Brent 6:12 AM
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Sunday, September 05, 2004
Okay, we all like the idea of an abundant life...a deeper life than what we might be experiencing at the moment.
We all like the idea of leaving the lies of this world behind...of avoiding being influenced by the enemies of God.
We all like the idea that God will run to meet us...and welcome us with a huge party no matter how bad we've been.
So the obvious question is still out there...What is the content of the spiritual life?
If we're going from take information from "Head To Heart," we're going to have to have some information in our heads, eh?
And there's no more meaningful information about the King and His Kingdom than in His manifesto to Israel in Matthew 5-7. So read it over a time or two to get ready for Sunday School tonight...and ask yourself why such wonderful words would have been so incredibly inflammatory to the audience who first heard it.
Brent 4:05 AM
Saturday, September 04, 2004
The first week of the study is coming to a close. We've seen how we're supposed to be living an abundant life. That's why Christ said He came.
Then we saw how the abundant life begins by making a choice of sorts...to believe the "lies" of the "world" or to live with Christ. Any other choice is settling for something less than that abundant life.
Finally, we've been getting ready for the next week of the study on "Head to Heart" by looking at Luke 15. We've seen how a cold-hearted son chose the polar opposite of the abundant life, and humbled himself in order to come back home. He was surprised by the reality that, even though he couldn't have insulted his father any worse, his father welcomed him home. The "dead" son could now "live."
Today, I wanted to focus on what those who have lived in the house see the "dead" "living."
If you notice in verses 28-30, you'll see the older brother was living in abundance the entire time. He served his father. He never gave his father any trouble. He worked in the field all day. He didn't come to the party when he found out why it was being thrown.
Sometimes, I think those that have been living in the house the entire time lose sight of God's grace when the "prodigals" come home. Sometimes that passion for the abundant life gets lost when we are so close to it all the time.
Those prayer requests that get answered...well, sometimes we "ho-hum" those. Those little moments of spiritual growth we see in somebody who has been struggling spiritually...well, sometimes we wonder why they aren't further along. Those times when we could encourage others in their walk...well, sometimes we can be awfully judgmental. Those times when we could model an abundant life through worship...well, sometimes we bicker about worship styles or song choices or whether or not we should allow coffee in the auditorium.
The bottom line for the week: There's an abundant life available to all of us. A lifestyle of celebration based on a true relationship with the Father. Because He is gracious enough to accept us back when choose to come home after living in Meshech and Kedar, and the lavish us with that grace.
Closing mind vitamin and journal prompt: Are we living that abundant life? If yes, what are the ways you see God lavishing His grace on you? If no, analyze why it is that you're settling, and what it would take for you to walk back to the father's home.
Brent 7:02 AM
Friday, September 03, 2004
(Take some time and review parts 1 & 2 below to get the context of today's blog)
After the Prodigal Son took his father's money (wishing him "dead") and then came to his senses, he actually had to go home and humble himself, and...well...actually ask for forgiveness. He's going to ask his father if he would just take him in as a hired hand. That's all. Just a servant. They ate way better than he was when he was eating pig slop, right?
In verses 20 & 21 we see that when the father saw his long lost son walking down the road to his home, he ran to greet him. It doesn't seem like much. A father running. But in that culture, in that time, it was considered highly undignified for a grown man to run.
Then the son went into his speech, and notice the order of his confession, too. He did it. He humbled himself. Told his dad that he had sinned against God. That he had sinned against him (all too often, when we sin, we don't really worry about it's effect with God...just try to cover our bases in the relationships we goofed up because of it, don't we? Or is it just me?).
He thought he understood the rules of his father's home.
What he didn't understand was his father's heart. The father didn't respond to his son's speech. Servants were summoned. New clothes were provided. Signet ring placed on his finger. New shoes. Party planned. Huge party planned. The dead son has come back to life. Celebration in order.
Can you imagine what must've been going on in the son's heart and mind? In fact, let's make that today's mind vitamin. Spend some time thinking about what the son was thinking while this was going on. What do you think he was thinking when he saw his father running? When the servants brought his new clothes and shoes? When the party was being planned? When the party was taking place? What do you think he was feeling during these times?
Journal prompt: A time in my life that reminds me of this story was when...
& the emotions I experienced and the thoughts I had when that happened were...
Tomorrow: The older brother's reaction.
Brent 4:15 AM
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Yesterday (see below), we took a look at the "younger" brother in the parable commonly known as the Prodigal Son. After he told his father that he wished he was dead and took his father's money...
Take a look at verses 13--19. Times were good. He was young. He had money. He was out on his own...able to do what he wanted when he wanted. And he did what he wanted. My translation of the Bible says he squandered his money on "loose living." I don't know exactly what was involved in "loose" but I'm pretty sure we all have an accurate picture.
Well, times changed. Economy was bad. He ran out of money. He wasn't able to do what he wanted. Now he had to survive. He got a job...the lowest of all possible jobs for a Jewish young man: Working with pigs. In the slop. Actually thinking that what he was feeding them might be good to eat. Can you imagine?
Notice what happens in verse 17: He came to his senses. His brain engaged. He figured out that even the farmhands on his father's ranch had it better than he did. He determined that he would go home.
And tell his father that he sinned. Against heaven. Against his dad. The order is important, I believe (more on that tomorrow).
See, the son had bought into the lies of the world. He believed the beer commercials were true. He found out that sin has consequences...eternal and in the here-and-now. The beer commercials all end too early. You know, where they end with scantily clad beautiful people having the time of their life? If you followed that beer commercial three hours later you might find a DUI...or all sorts of fallout from "loose living." You get the idea.
I know. It's only a story. A parable.
But it rings true.
So, today...spend some time thinking about what you might do if you had plenty of money and plenty of time and no parental oversight. What do you think your life would be like, and what does that reveal about human nature? Your own heart?
And today's journal prompt (for those of you that keep such things): Think of a time you were involved in some type of "loose living." What caused you to come to your senses? What changes did you make and what "action" steps did you take to make those changes?
More on the Prodigal Son tomorrow.
Brent 4:08 AM
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
You know...lost sheep. Lost coin. Lost son. Very middle school joke, I know. But I still remember this everytime I think of Luke 15, so it works as a teaching tool.
And, keep in mind that, if you want to get caught up on week 1 of our study, the first step towards taking a walk of faith that is real is realizing that Jesus came to give us an abundant life...and this is more than waiting on harps and clouds in heaven. It can be real NOW.
The next step is to change the way you think...to decide to think God's way instead of thinking like the "liars" of the "world." Check out the entries below and that should get you all caught up.
Anyway, I'd like to focus on the younger son in this entry. When you read Luke 15:11-12, notice what the younger son said to his father. This older teen said he wanted his share of his father's estate.
It was like saying, "I wish you were dead."
Can you imagine saying that to your parents...and actually meaning it? Can you imagine the reaction they might have...how hurt they'd be?
But more importantly, can you imagine what it would take for you to get to that point in life? Where you could be so cold and heartless, so self-centered, to where you could say that to your parents?
So, for those of you keeping a journal or just looking for something to kick around in your brain today...how does someone get to a point in life where they are cold & heartless? What steps can a person take to avoid being so self-centered?
And, for those of you looking for a "guided" reading plan, why not flip through Luke 15: 11-32 a time or two because we'll be spending some time in it over the next few days...
Brent 4:53 AM
Comments:
how do you keep someone from being so self-centered? man that's a good question. let me kick that one around a little.
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