Life is a Journey
Thoughts on LifeArchive for May, 2008
May 3 Reading: 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20
Scripture: Matthew 20:12 These men who were hired last worked only one hour, they said, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.
Observations: This is interesting – first, these men agreed to work for a day’s wages. So the problem is not that they were cheated, but that those who started later, even as late as one hour before day’s end, were paid the same. That doesn’t really seem fair. Well, that’s not fair, is it? After all, they have borne the burden, the majority of the work! Sounds familiar, somewhat like the older brother in Luke 15. No fair, Father! I served/slaved all these years! Grace is seriously unfair!
Application: I need to put away my scorecard, my measuring tape, my time clock and my rulebook. God promises grace – unmerited gifts – riches beyond my imagination – mercy, not justice. Shall I sit in His grace and compare?
Prayer: Father, help me see your amazing grace for just what it is. Help me recover from wanting to keep score. Be gracious to me & my brother – neither of us deserve it! Amen!
May 2 Reading: 1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19
Scripture: Matthew 19:25-26 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Observations: Hard for a rich man… Who then can be? If possessions hinder, if riches hinder entry to the kingdom – where does that leave us? We who are physical beings, living in this physical world where our 5 senses rule? Where does that leave us? It leaves us in desperate need of what only God can do. The only way any of us has hope is through the saving work of Christ on the cross. Salvation is completely a work of God – He is our only hope – with Him this is possible! However, we should not ignore the message of the Rich Young Ruler – our possessions cannot be more important than our God – or we are at risk of missing the kingdom for stuff!!
Application: I must trust completely & only in Christ for salvation/entry into the kingdom! I must keep my God as first in my heart & life – not my stuff!
Prayer: Father, help me. Apart from you – I don’t stand a chance of heaven. Remind me to honor & value you and your kingdom above everything on this earth!
May 1 Reading: 1 Chronicles 14-15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 15:22 Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it.
Observations: The Levite placed in charge of singing before the Ark (hence before the presence) of the Lord was evidently selected for this task, this leadership role, because of his skill. Could we assume it is biblical, even intelligent to have people doing what they’re skilled at? Could it be this is more important than tenure or relations? Does this mean we aren’t being unbiblical or ungraceful when we evaluate skill in relation to roles & responsibilities?
Application: Skill matters. This may be easier said & understood than applied in the context of the local church. It seems there are other considerations. Now, grated there are considerations of attitude, walk with God, Spirit control, etc. Skill is most certainly not the only issue, but this makes it obvious that it is an appropriate biblical criteria. Duh!
Prayer: Father, give me the wisdom and courage to use your biblical standards in your church. Amen!
April 30 Reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 63; Matthew 17
April 28 Reading: 2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15
Scripture: Matthew 15:8 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Observations: The religious leaders and people of Jesus’ day were great rule keepers. They were score keepers. They were great at checking to see if people were doing/obeying all the right rules. Outwardly they really seemed to have it all together. But Jesus says it was all lip service. If my religion isn’t a matter of the heart – then my worship is in vain. If my talk doesn’t come from the heart it is pointless and empty.
Application: I must continually check my heart. My actions must come from a heart for my God. My life & religion must come from my heart. The condition, attitude, and motivations of my heart need continual monitoring.
Prayer: Father, help me check my heart. Search me & try me. See if there is anything in my heart that is wrong. I want my outward actions and my heart to match. Amen.
April 27 Reading: 2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14
Sorry about the gap and for taking so long to post the past few days. My bad! Sorry to post so many days at once!
Scripture: Matthew 14:29-30 Come, he said, then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me!It would seem that Jesus likes to invite us to walk with Him. Sometimes that will require great trust, seeing past fear, past the storms, past all the reasons it won’t work, past all the reasons I can’t. It means great trust in the one who walks on the waves, the storm and the problems. It will require that I fix my eyes on Jesus – the author and perfecter of my faith. Keeping focused on Him and not on the storm, the waves and the reasons it won’t work. Wrong focus brings fear & sinking! But even then the Lord is mighty to save!I must get out of the comfort of the boat (albeit a sinking boat!) and walk toward Jesus today. It is imperative! I must keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. He is my strength! I must not focus on the waves! This day I walk on the storm toward Jesus!Father, help me! I am weak and easily distracted. Help me keep getting out of the boat! Keep my focus on Jesus! Help Me!
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