ALL – Psalm 67:1-7
ALL – Proverbs 23:29-35
OT – Isaiah 41:17-43:13
NT – Ephesians 2:1-22
Interesting passage for the day: Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian. – Galatians 2:19, The Living Bible
Thought: It’s nice to belong. No, it’s amazing to belong.
Everyone’s been an outsider at some point. Being an outsider is just…awkward. Perhaps you spend some time living in someone else’s house. You’re used to having chores at home, but in their house you feel like you have no role at all and you’re useless. Maybe you’re visiting a new church and you discover that they have some sort of “understood” pattern for when to stand and when to sit—but they don’t communicate it verbally, so you’re constantly finding yourself in the wrong position. Or perhaps you’re not into sports and someone takes you to a basketball game. You’re barely interested but you feel stupid knowing nothing, and you can’t even begin to follow what’s going on.
It’s that first-ever day of school feeling. “Will I ever really belong here?”
When we first get to know God’s people, everything’s new and foreign. They open up the Bible and tell us strange things. We realize we don’t belong. But we want to belong. We recognize the truth, the grace, the love, the righteousness. We want to know Jesus.
And then we give our lives to Jesus—we submit to Him, confess how awful we’ve been, ask for forgiveness and receive it. He welcomes us into His family, takes us by the hand and walks us up to the throne of His Father—now ours. And the heavenly Father says, “You belong in my household with every other Christian.”
We who trust in Jesus Christ are no longer strangers. We belong in God’s house. We belong.
Question: Do you still feel like an outsider, or have you realized in your heart that you belong with God? What is keeping you from being at rest in Jesus’ family?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
I Can’t Understand You!
ALL – Psalm 37:12-28
ALL – Proverbs 21:25-26
OT – Job 1:1-3:26
NT – 1 Corinthians 14:1-17
Interesting passage for the day: I suppose that there are hundreds of different languages in the world, and all are excellent for those who understand them, but to me they mean nothing. A person talking to me in one of these languages will be a stranger to me and I will be a stranger to him. – 1 Corinthians 14:10-11, The Living Bible
Thought: During my recent trip to Brazil, I learned a few words in Portuguese. I learned more Portuguese words than many people expected me to learn, and it was very enjoyable. But I have to be honest: if our hosts had not been able to communicate at least a bit in English, or to share praise songs with us that have the same tunes and meanings in both English and Portuguese, it would have been impossible to develop the relationships that blossomed during our time there. Understanding binds people together; mutual meaninglessness creates strangers and, sometimes, even enemies.
The first goal of a missionary in a foreign culture is understanding the language. Without that understanding, he/she will be a stranger to the host nation forever.
The first goal of a teacher in a classroom is to explain ideas clearly and to carefully define the meaning of any technical words as they come along. Using technical language without defining its meaning for the students would leave the teacher alone in understanding his lesson.
The first goal of a pastor in his assigned church is to help people hear God’s Word clearly. Without understanding God’s Word, no one would have a reason to zealously love and serve Jesus Christ.
And the first goal of a Christian with other believers or with neighbors and co-workers is to be plain about the basis for his hope of eternal life—to be able to say, “The God who created life plans to give me life forever, even if I die first, because the crimes that separated me from Him have already been punished. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, died the death I deserved. And I know that God can raise me to life, because God raised Jesus to life again. I’ve entrusted my life into Jesus’ hands, and I’m following His teachings until God brings me home forever.”
Can we be clear? Jesus is alive, even though He died. He invites us to be His people. And I’ve accepted the invitation.
Question: Do you have the kind of hope I have? What would happen if we all expressed our hope clearly to the people in our lives? If you don’t have this hope yet, would you want it?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 21:25-26
OT – Job 1:1-3:26
NT – 1 Corinthians 14:1-17
Interesting passage for the day: I suppose that there are hundreds of different languages in the world, and all are excellent for those who understand them, but to me they mean nothing. A person talking to me in one of these languages will be a stranger to me and I will be a stranger to him. – 1 Corinthians 14:10-11, The Living Bible
Thought: During my recent trip to Brazil, I learned a few words in Portuguese. I learned more Portuguese words than many people expected me to learn, and it was very enjoyable. But I have to be honest: if our hosts had not been able to communicate at least a bit in English, or to share praise songs with us that have the same tunes and meanings in both English and Portuguese, it would have been impossible to develop the relationships that blossomed during our time there. Understanding binds people together; mutual meaninglessness creates strangers and, sometimes, even enemies.
The first goal of a missionary in a foreign culture is understanding the language. Without that understanding, he/she will be a stranger to the host nation forever.
The first goal of a teacher in a classroom is to explain ideas clearly and to carefully define the meaning of any technical words as they come along. Using technical language without defining its meaning for the students would leave the teacher alone in understanding his lesson.
The first goal of a pastor in his assigned church is to help people hear God’s Word clearly. Without understanding God’s Word, no one would have a reason to zealously love and serve Jesus Christ.
And the first goal of a Christian with other believers or with neighbors and co-workers is to be plain about the basis for his hope of eternal life—to be able to say, “The God who created life plans to give me life forever, even if I die first, because the crimes that separated me from Him have already been punished. God’s Son, Jesus Christ, died the death I deserved. And I know that God can raise me to life, because God raised Jesus to life again. I’ve entrusted my life into Jesus’ hands, and I’m following His teachings until God brings me home forever.”
Can we be clear? Jesus is alive, even though He died. He invites us to be His people. And I’ve accepted the invitation.
Question: Do you have the kind of hope I have? What would happen if we all expressed our hope clearly to the people in our lives? If you don’t have this hope yet, would you want it?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Family that ... Together
ALL – Psalm 36:1-12
ALL – Proverbs 21:21-22
OT – Esther 4:1-7:10
NT – 1 Corinthians 12:1-26
Interesting passage for the day: If one part suffers, all parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. – 1 Corinthians 12:26, The Living Bible
Thought: Have you ever tried to send just a part of your body to play a game or do a job?
“Hey, feet, go play soccer for me.”
“I don’t want to stay up late tonight. Hands, do you mind just typing out this paper for me?”
We don’t say, “My feet played soccer today,” or, “My hands were on the computer all day.” We say, “I played soccer,” and, “I was on the computer.” Why? Because if one part of our body is involved, we ourselves are involved. Our entire body shares life’s experiences, even if different limbs get used more than others. When I’m typing at the computer, it means my fingers are working wildly. But it also means that my feet are resting, my back and stomach are working to keep me sitting upright, my heart and lungs are working to keep me alive, my eyes are watching the computer screen, and my brain is directing my thoughts through the whole process.
Christ’s church is Christ’s body. We are one. We share life. One life. Jesus Christ’s life. If one of us gets a promotion at work, we are all happy. If one of us falls into sin, it shames and hurts all of us. If one of us introduces a friend to Jesus, all of us share in the celebration and all of us feel like we’ve succeeded in making progress towards fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission. You can pretend to be a loner Christian, but the truth is that you’re a part of a community—like it or not. And even your attempts to disassociate yourself from the church affect the rest of God’s people. You’re simply that connected because of Jesus Christ.
Question: Since Jesus has joined all us believers together, what could you do to make our experience as a family, community and body the best possible experience on earth?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 21:21-22
OT – Esther 4:1-7:10
NT – 1 Corinthians 12:1-26
Interesting passage for the day: If one part suffers, all parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. – 1 Corinthians 12:26, The Living Bible
Thought: Have you ever tried to send just a part of your body to play a game or do a job?
“Hey, feet, go play soccer for me.”
“I don’t want to stay up late tonight. Hands, do you mind just typing out this paper for me?”
We don’t say, “My feet played soccer today,” or, “My hands were on the computer all day.” We say, “I played soccer,” and, “I was on the computer.” Why? Because if one part of our body is involved, we ourselves are involved. Our entire body shares life’s experiences, even if different limbs get used more than others. When I’m typing at the computer, it means my fingers are working wildly. But it also means that my feet are resting, my back and stomach are working to keep me sitting upright, my heart and lungs are working to keep me alive, my eyes are watching the computer screen, and my brain is directing my thoughts through the whole process.
Christ’s church is Christ’s body. We are one. We share life. One life. Jesus Christ’s life. If one of us gets a promotion at work, we are all happy. If one of us falls into sin, it shames and hurts all of us. If one of us introduces a friend to Jesus, all of us share in the celebration and all of us feel like we’ve succeeded in making progress towards fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission. You can pretend to be a loner Christian, but the truth is that you’re a part of a community—like it or not. And even your attempts to disassociate yourself from the church affect the rest of God’s people. You’re simply that connected because of Jesus Christ.
Question: Since Jesus has joined all us believers together, what could you do to make our experience as a family, community and body the best possible experience on earth?
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Happiness and Sorrow
ALL – Psalm 67:1-7
ALL – Proverbs 11:27
OT – Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
NT – Luke 6:12-38
What makes you sad? Pain? Being excluded? Insults? Being treated unfairly or unkindly? These wrongs and difficulties are the basis for many of the sad days I’ve experienced.
What makes you happy? Comfort? Wealth? Laughter and jokes? Being included? Receiving praises? Being super-respected? These certainly make me feel good.
At least, they did. But ever since Jesus expressed His perspective on these things, I’ve had to wrestle with my feelings. Apparently I am getting things backwards. I find happiness in the wrong things—in shallow things that won’t last. And I become sad for shallow reasons, too, when deep and wonderful gifts have been given to me and should give me joy!
What happiness it is when others hate you and exclude you and insult you and smear your name because you are mine! When that happens, rejoice! Yes, leap for joy! For you will have a great reward awaiting you in heaven. And you will be in good company—the ancient prophets were treated that way, too! But, oh, the sorrows that await the rich. For they have their only happiness down here. They are fat and prosperous now, but a time of awful hunger is before them. Their careless laughter now means sorrow then. And what sadness is ahead for those praised by the crowds—for false prophets have always been praised. – Luke 6:22-26, The Living Bible
So what should make us happy? Being included with Jesus and His family seems like the right answer. And what should make us sad? Having our best life now without any relationship with Jesus and His family—a tragedy in the making!
Are you happy? Or sad? And why? It’s so easy for our perspectives to get misguided by our feelings. Let’s look to Jesus and learn to let our perspectives shape our feelings, walking by faith and finding His happiness and joy.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
ALL – Proverbs 11:27
OT – Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
NT – Luke 6:12-38
What makes you sad? Pain? Being excluded? Insults? Being treated unfairly or unkindly? These wrongs and difficulties are the basis for many of the sad days I’ve experienced.
What makes you happy? Comfort? Wealth? Laughter and jokes? Being included? Receiving praises? Being super-respected? These certainly make me feel good.
At least, they did. But ever since Jesus expressed His perspective on these things, I’ve had to wrestle with my feelings. Apparently I am getting things backwards. I find happiness in the wrong things—in shallow things that won’t last. And I become sad for shallow reasons, too, when deep and wonderful gifts have been given to me and should give me joy!
What happiness it is when others hate you and exclude you and insult you and smear your name because you are mine! When that happens, rejoice! Yes, leap for joy! For you will have a great reward awaiting you in heaven. And you will be in good company—the ancient prophets were treated that way, too! But, oh, the sorrows that await the rich. For they have their only happiness down here. They are fat and prosperous now, but a time of awful hunger is before them. Their careless laughter now means sorrow then. And what sadness is ahead for those praised by the crowds—for false prophets have always been praised. – Luke 6:22-26, The Living Bible
So what should make us happy? Being included with Jesus and His family seems like the right answer. And what should make us sad? Having our best life now without any relationship with Jesus and His family—a tragedy in the making!
Are you happy? Or sad? And why? It’s so easy for our perspectives to get misguided by our feelings. Let’s look to Jesus and learn to let our perspectives shape our feelings, walking by faith and finding His happiness and joy.
To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Being the Church - Video
I just watched and would like to share a helpful video about what it means to be the church. Pastor Daniel Montgomery of Sojourn Community Church keeps it simple, but shares some big concepts from God that can transform the way we look at ourselves as the church.
Church 101 from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.
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