3:2ff - There are those who mutilate/destroy the flesh through violence...through unhealthy obsession...through self-hatred...through cruel judgement, but in reality the flesh is meaningless. The spiritual aspect of our existence is what is important...the flesh is passing away and of little consequence. But I also believe that when you live confidently through the Spirit of God, you will have a healthier physical too...when you remove stress and live out the joy of the Lord - life is better.
3:8 - In comparison to Christ everything else is dull - a waste - a loss. Question: If our faith isn't costing us anything...is it really faith?
3:10 - I would like to hear comments on this...what is the power of the resurrection? What kind of power does the resurrection of Christ bring tot he table?
3:11 - Faith described here carries with it this idea of continually fighting and continually growing and changing that seems to fly in the face of the once saved always saved doctrine. Thoughts?
3:13 - Mature believers live not for this world, but for the world to come. Like a child always focused on the new - the future...never looking back with regret. Can I do that? Can I brush off the weight of this world and look to the world beyond?
3:19 - Think of what we allow ourselves to be controlled by! Think about it. Our bellies. Our appetites. Our loins. Our selfishness. These things are pieces of blood and flesh and ego...there has to be more to this life...there has to be. There has to be a higher calling.
3:20 - "But our citizenship is in heaven..." - is that a hard concept for you to accept? Why?
3:21 - Jesus Christ as an answer for 3:19, "there has to be more than this," offers us the power to make the body and mind ours subjects instead of our slave masters. Jesus, I want in... I want on board!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Philippians Chapter 2 - September 24, 2008
2:1 - I like how Paul starts that out, 'If there is encouragement." It's like an uber guilt trip. If you have ever been encouraged by God or received any blessing from God or been strengthened by His Spirit - GO LIVE FOR HIM! God has given us everything we have...God has given us a purpose for existence...a mission to live out...a hope for the future - maybe because of that we can come together as His people and live for Him.
2:7 - Jesus is God. When he was walking around on earth he was God, yet he still took a position of extreme humility and made himself nothing. We often do the opposite and try to make our "nothing" selves into gods.
2:12,13 - Discipleship may begin at belief, but it does not stop at belief. Belief is worked out, struggled out and fought for with fear of God's perfection in comparison to our own imperfection. Not to save ourselves - but because belief demands action and the holiness of God demands humble service.
2:17 - Drink offerings in the OT were additional offerings that were poured out on top of another offering that had already been made. Paul is saying that he is willing to sacrifice even more than he already had. He has risked much to take the Gospel to the people of Philippi and he wanted to know that if he was killed...his death would serve as an additional sacrifice that would bring join to the Philippians. Joy because they knew he was with Jesus and joy because their faith (that Paul had given much to build up) had stayed strong and continued to grow. I love that Paul looks at his life as a tool for the glory of God and not a vehicle for his own enjoyment.
2:19ff - Timothy rocks.
2:7 - Jesus is God. When he was walking around on earth he was God, yet he still took a position of extreme humility and made himself nothing. We often do the opposite and try to make our "nothing" selves into gods.
2:12,13 - Discipleship may begin at belief, but it does not stop at belief. Belief is worked out, struggled out and fought for with fear of God's perfection in comparison to our own imperfection. Not to save ourselves - but because belief demands action and the holiness of God demands humble service.
2:17 - Drink offerings in the OT were additional offerings that were poured out on top of another offering that had already been made. Paul is saying that he is willing to sacrifice even more than he already had. He has risked much to take the Gospel to the people of Philippi and he wanted to know that if he was killed...his death would serve as an additional sacrifice that would bring join to the Philippians. Joy because they knew he was with Jesus and joy because their faith (that Paul had given much to build up) had stayed strong and continued to grow. I love that Paul looks at his life as a tool for the glory of God and not a vehicle for his own enjoyment.
2:19ff - Timothy rocks.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Philippians Chapter 1 - September 23, 2008
*You could spend days on this one chapter...it is so rich! I'm gonna put some of my highlights, you put yours and we'll hopefully do chapter 1 justice.
1:3-5 - Every day he is praying for his brothers and sisters in Christ and he is excited about praying for them...he is passionate about covering God's people in prayer. Is that my prayer life? Or am I too busy praying for myself?
1:6 - God did not start His work in my life (Changing my heart and attitude, saving me, building up my faith, etc) just to leave me hanging. God finishes what He begins and He will be faithful to complete the good work He has started in you and me. When we are going through times of struggle, we have to cling to the fact that God has not left us behind...He has not quit on us. He will finish what He started, so we need to do the same. Finish the race...stay focused...trust in Him.
1:13 - Through his trials Paul sees God at work in the bigger picture. It is amazing what we can see when we take our eyes off ourselves.
1:14 - When we live boldly, we inspire other Christians to live boldly.
1:18 - Paul's grace in incredible...do I look at other churches and ministers critically and judgementally, or with an understanding that even in their imperfection when Christ is preached it is a good thing?
1:21-24 - He longs for heaven, but he is ready and willing to stay behind and live to encourage his brothers and sisters in Christ. I would say that most human beings cling to life like this is what it is all about...we often act like life is all that matters and we live like there is no tomorrow, serving ourselves. Pretty stark contrast from the aspirations of Paul who willingly lives only to turn people towards Christ and who longs for the day when his life is over and he can return home to his Father.
1:27 - Whether our prayers are answered positively or negatively...nothing should change about our faith.
1:29 - A clear sign of our faith in Christ and the power and victory we receive through him, is that we willingly suffer with him and for him.
1:3-5 - Every day he is praying for his brothers and sisters in Christ and he is excited about praying for them...he is passionate about covering God's people in prayer. Is that my prayer life? Or am I too busy praying for myself?
1:6 - God did not start His work in my life (Changing my heart and attitude, saving me, building up my faith, etc) just to leave me hanging. God finishes what He begins and He will be faithful to complete the good work He has started in you and me. When we are going through times of struggle, we have to cling to the fact that God has not left us behind...He has not quit on us. He will finish what He started, so we need to do the same. Finish the race...stay focused...trust in Him.
1:13 - Through his trials Paul sees God at work in the bigger picture. It is amazing what we can see when we take our eyes off ourselves.
1:14 - When we live boldly, we inspire other Christians to live boldly.
1:18 - Paul's grace in incredible...do I look at other churches and ministers critically and judgementally, or with an understanding that even in their imperfection when Christ is preached it is a good thing?
1:21-24 - He longs for heaven, but he is ready and willing to stay behind and live to encourage his brothers and sisters in Christ. I would say that most human beings cling to life like this is what it is all about...we often act like life is all that matters and we live like there is no tomorrow, serving ourselves. Pretty stark contrast from the aspirations of Paul who willingly lives only to turn people towards Christ and who longs for the day when his life is over and he can return home to his Father.
1:27 - Whether our prayers are answered positively or negatively...nothing should change about our faith.
1:29 - A clear sign of our faith in Christ and the power and victory we receive through him, is that we willingly suffer with him and for him.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Luke Chapter 24 - September 22, 2008
*We will kick off Philippians tomorrow.
5: "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" This verse jumped out at me. The angels throw a little sass in the faces of these women...what are you looking for? Didn't you listen to Jesus when he said he was going to die and rise again? He isn't dead - you'll find nothing here. It seems to me that we humans have this crazy compulsion to look for life in places of death. How many times have I ignored the teaching of my master and turned to the world for fulfillment, finding only emptiness? I see generation after generation of high school students that leave behind the message of Jesus, the truth, to chase after lies. Why do we seek life among the dead?
27: Jesus explains to them how he fulfills prophecy from the OT...it is pretty amazing - over 300 prophecies fulfilled. The statistics for that happening by coincidence are basically impossible. You can check them out at http://mb-soft.com/believe/txh/proph.htm. Enjoy.
49: Jesus tells them to wait. Don't go off half-cocked and emotionally charged. We shouldn't go into anything huge without prayer. He tells his disciples to wait for the power to descend on them and boy does it! This segues into beginning of Acts when they are praying and waiting and the Holy Spirit descends on them. This is really good advice for us too - cover everything you do in prayer and open yourself to the guiding of the Spirit.
5: "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" This verse jumped out at me. The angels throw a little sass in the faces of these women...what are you looking for? Didn't you listen to Jesus when he said he was going to die and rise again? He isn't dead - you'll find nothing here. It seems to me that we humans have this crazy compulsion to look for life in places of death. How many times have I ignored the teaching of my master and turned to the world for fulfillment, finding only emptiness? I see generation after generation of high school students that leave behind the message of Jesus, the truth, to chase after lies. Why do we seek life among the dead?
27: Jesus explains to them how he fulfills prophecy from the OT...it is pretty amazing - over 300 prophecies fulfilled. The statistics for that happening by coincidence are basically impossible. You can check them out at http://mb-soft.com/believe/txh/proph.htm. Enjoy.
49: Jesus tells them to wait. Don't go off half-cocked and emotionally charged. We shouldn't go into anything huge without prayer. He tells his disciples to wait for the power to descend on them and boy does it! This segues into beginning of Acts when they are praying and waiting and the Holy Spirit descends on them. This is really good advice for us too - cover everything you do in prayer and open yourself to the guiding of the Spirit.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Luke Chapter 23 - September 12, 2008
23:3 - We have seen throughout the gospels, that Jesus can destroy anybody in an argument, yet when he is on trial he refuses to defend himself. This is just another example of Jesus forsaking his wisdom and power because of his great love for us. He could easily have defended himself and won his freedom, but instead he stayed his tongue and willingly headed to the cross. I hope in this life that I can follow in the footsteps of my master and willingly humble myself for the good of His kingdom.
23:12 - I think they became friends because they were both agreed that the charges of the Jewish religious leaders were ridiculous. Their point of unity was the absurdity of the prosecution...this is just more evidence of the innocence of Jesus.
23:39 - The thief on the cross shows us the characteristics of a true believer. A: He believes so strongly that he is willing to defend the name of Jesus. B: He fully understands his guilt and Jesus' innocence. C: He faithfully understands that even in death Jesus is the only one who has the power to save him. I never thought I would say this, but I aspire to e a thief...this thief anyway.
23:49 - Anybody else notice that the women are the only disciples of Jesus left? There is power in the quiet, unmovable faith of a godly woman.
23:50 - Another man to emulate from this passage (besides Jesus, of course) is Joseph. I want to be described like him in my life - good, righteous, goes against the crowd, seeks the kingdom of God, and honors and respects Jesus.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Luke Chapter 22 - September 11, 2008
*Because the eye of the storm is bearing down upon us...I almost didn't write this blog today. But Abraham Lincoln once said, "If you are a racist - I will attack you with the north." And that is the principle I live my life by...so here it is...
22:3 - Remember the parable that Jesus told about cleaning out your house and not finding a strong man to guard it...the hooligans will come back with friends and take over your new clean house? Remember that? I think Judas is an example of this. He had cleaned out his house...he was walking in the way of Jesus...he was a disciple, but maybe he never really invited Jesus in. Maybe those doubts and fears and questions came back as Jesus started talking about leaving and dying, leaving Judas open to Satanic possession. We must remember that we cannot fight the evil one through our own power...we must rely on the strength of God and invite Him to clean us and dwell within us.
22:45 - As Jesus' modern day disciples, we cannot allow ourselves to "fall asleep" in this life. We cannot let our guard down...every day we are surrounded by temptation and desperation and failure and we must be ready. The disciples did not heed Jesus' warnings to pray and they scattered like dust in the wind when Jesus was arrested.
22:52 - We need to make sure we walk in places of light...make sure your life is a quest to walk into the light and not a descent into dark places that will feed our desires.
22:61 - Imagine that look. Peter looks up after he has denied his master three times and sees Jesus staring back at him. I want to live my life to stay away from that look. How many times has he looked on me in disappointment? How many time have bitterly wept in failure?
22:3 - Remember the parable that Jesus told about cleaning out your house and not finding a strong man to guard it...the hooligans will come back with friends and take over your new clean house? Remember that? I think Judas is an example of this. He had cleaned out his house...he was walking in the way of Jesus...he was a disciple, but maybe he never really invited Jesus in. Maybe those doubts and fears and questions came back as Jesus started talking about leaving and dying, leaving Judas open to Satanic possession. We must remember that we cannot fight the evil one through our own power...we must rely on the strength of God and invite Him to clean us and dwell within us.
22:45 - As Jesus' modern day disciples, we cannot allow ourselves to "fall asleep" in this life. We cannot let our guard down...every day we are surrounded by temptation and desperation and failure and we must be ready. The disciples did not heed Jesus' warnings to pray and they scattered like dust in the wind when Jesus was arrested.
22:52 - We need to make sure we walk in places of light...make sure your life is a quest to walk into the light and not a descent into dark places that will feed our desires.
22:61 - Imagine that look. Peter looks up after he has denied his master three times and sees Jesus staring back at him. I want to live my life to stay away from that look. How many times has he looked on me in disappointment? How many time have bitterly wept in failure?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Luke Chapter 21 - September 10, 2008
21:4 - While I consider myself rich by worldwide standards - there are many times when I feel poor with regards to my readiness to be a ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We've probably all been there - I'm not good enough, holy enough, smart enough, prepared enough, etc. The poor widow encourage me to give everything out of the poverty of my character and righteousness and let the power and grace of God make that enough. God can take my pitiful offerings of ministry and use them to do great things through His power, like the 5 loaves and 2 fish.
21:12ff - Persecution at its most intense is the ultimate catalyst for powerful witness and testimony. When is the gospel more powerful and real than when it is lived out faithfully in the face of extreme hatred and persecution? Never. I think one of the problems we have with Christian burn-out in the States, is that lack of persecution and challenge leads to stale Christianity. It is so easy to be a "christian-by-name" here that you don't even have to rely on God - that is dangerous.
21:14 - Very comforting...you don't have to know all the answers...Jesus will give you the words that you need, when you need them...so step out in faith and live boldly.
21:32 - One of the hardest and most confusing verses around (F.Y.I. all the people he was addressing are dead and Jesus hasn't come back yet). Does this mean Jesus was wrong? No. I believe that when he references "this generation" he is actually continuing to talk about the future generation that he brings up in verse 25 (go read it again). He is saying that all the end times stuff will happen before that generation passes, so through the course of one human generation. When will that be? Don't know, but you should live like it's tomorrow.
21:36 - WAKE UP! Be on the lookout...don't get sidetracked by the things of this world...live like this is your last day on earth, because it could be.
21:12ff - Persecution at its most intense is the ultimate catalyst for powerful witness and testimony. When is the gospel more powerful and real than when it is lived out faithfully in the face of extreme hatred and persecution? Never. I think one of the problems we have with Christian burn-out in the States, is that lack of persecution and challenge leads to stale Christianity. It is so easy to be a "christian-by-name" here that you don't even have to rely on God - that is dangerous.
21:14 - Very comforting...you don't have to know all the answers...Jesus will give you the words that you need, when you need them...so step out in faith and live boldly.
21:32 - One of the hardest and most confusing verses around (F.Y.I. all the people he was addressing are dead and Jesus hasn't come back yet). Does this mean Jesus was wrong? No. I believe that when he references "this generation" he is actually continuing to talk about the future generation that he brings up in verse 25 (go read it again). He is saying that all the end times stuff will happen before that generation passes, so through the course of one human generation. When will that be? Don't know, but you should live like it's tomorrow.
21:36 - WAKE UP! Be on the lookout...don't get sidetracked by the things of this world...live like this is your last day on earth, because it could be.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Luke Chapter 20 - September 9, 2008
20:8 - Jesus refused to answer their question that was really a trap, because they refused to answer his trap question. They came to argue with the sole purpose of destroying his credibility and bringing him down...there was no way to change their heart on any issue, so Jesus ended the conversation. We need to remember the wisdom of walking away from a useless argument.
20:16-17 - They understood exactly what Jesus was talking about in the story and they react with, "Surely not!" Meaning - surely our leadership will no be so corrupt and disobedient to bring about the destruction of Israel. But the master sent his son to make things right with the tenants and the tenants killed him - just like in the story. They brought destruction on themselves.
20:17ff - There is an old Jewish midrash (commentary) on Esther 3:6 that applies here..."If the stone falls on the pot, alas for the pot. If the pot falls on the stone, alas for the pot." This is a parallel to what Jesus is saying. Basically, woe to anyone who stands in opposition to God. If you attack the rock that is Jesus Christ you will be broken...and if you ignore the rock that is Jesus, you will be crushed. Don't stand in opposition tot he Son of God.
20:27 - They don't even believe in the resurrection, but they are so bent on destroying Jesus that they make up some absurd hypothetical question about the resurrection. Jesus answers them anyway, because even though they come out of malice, he sees an opportunity to point people to the true nature of God. We must always keep our eyes open for opportunities to point others towards God (Even annoying, hateful others).
20:47 - Serious warning to those who like to "play church" or pretend to be godly and holy when they only seek their own selfish gain. I for one would like to miss out on the greater condemnation part! Let's be real...love God...love others and live humbly.
20:16-17 - They understood exactly what Jesus was talking about in the story and they react with, "Surely not!" Meaning - surely our leadership will no be so corrupt and disobedient to bring about the destruction of Israel. But the master sent his son to make things right with the tenants and the tenants killed him - just like in the story. They brought destruction on themselves.
20:17ff - There is an old Jewish midrash (commentary) on Esther 3:6 that applies here..."If the stone falls on the pot, alas for the pot. If the pot falls on the stone, alas for the pot." This is a parallel to what Jesus is saying. Basically, woe to anyone who stands in opposition to God. If you attack the rock that is Jesus Christ you will be broken...and if you ignore the rock that is Jesus, you will be crushed. Don't stand in opposition tot he Son of God.
20:27 - They don't even believe in the resurrection, but they are so bent on destroying Jesus that they make up some absurd hypothetical question about the resurrection. Jesus answers them anyway, because even though they come out of malice, he sees an opportunity to point people to the true nature of God. We must always keep our eyes open for opportunities to point others towards God (Even annoying, hateful others).
20:47 - Serious warning to those who like to "play church" or pretend to be godly and holy when they only seek their own selfish gain. I for one would like to miss out on the greater condemnation part! Let's be real...love God...love others and live humbly.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Luke Chapter 19 - September 8, 2008
19:8 - Zacchaeus' faith immediately became evident through action. Do I live my life in the same way? Is my faith evident through my words and actions? Is my belief real enough to cause action?
Ten Minas - Jesus uses this parable to reference the future after the cross. He is the nobleman, going to another place to receive his kingdom. There are people that despised Jesus...they didn't buy in to him or his message and they were happy to see him die on the cross (religious leaders - they were probably even praying to God to condemn Jesus, because they hated him...strangely enough God allowed Jesus to be condemned because he loved them - ironic). The people that were followers of Christ were going to react in different ways. Some would take his message and the spirit within them and build upon Jesus kingdom...because they bought in...they trusted him...they loved him. Other servants do nothing with his truth - these are no real servants because it means they do not truly follow their king. They are servants out of convenience and do nothing to build on his kingdom. Justice will be swift when everything is made
right. To those who worked to build the kingdom and act on their beliefs - infinitely more will be given. Those who pretended to be followers of Christ and did nothing with his gifts, will be known as wicked wastrels. Those who always rejected Jesus - will receive rejection from the judge and ruler Jesus. Who are we?
19:26 - There must have been hundreds or thousand of people following Jesus at this time because they covered the entire road with their cloaks. It must have been beautiful to see...thousands praising the son of God and cheering him into the city. Unfortunately, Jesus knew that very few of these people would stick with him through the end. They wanted a conquering king, not a sacrificial lamb. We never learn our lessons...look at the crusades and inquisition and the middle east, look at what happens when religion is used to rule a country. The power of the way of Jesus does not work in the political realm, because the power of the way of Jesus is in self-sacrifice and humility. That is how Christians are going to change the world...through sacrificial living...through unconditional love...through humble service.
19:41ff - Jesus weeps because so few of God's people turn out to support their Messiah. He says, "If you had only known what it truly takes to make peace in this world!" See, they believe that their Messiah was going to be a bringer of war...someone who would crush their enemies through force. Jesus walked the path he walked because the peace that we needed could only be bought through his death.
Ten Minas - Jesus uses this parable to reference the future after the cross. He is the nobleman, going to another place to receive his kingdom. There are people that despised Jesus...they didn't buy in to him or his message and they were happy to see him die on the cross (religious leaders - they were probably even praying to God to condemn Jesus, because they hated him...strangely enough God allowed Jesus to be condemned because he loved them - ironic). The people that were followers of Christ were going to react in different ways. Some would take his message and the spirit within them and build upon Jesus kingdom...because they bought in...they trusted him...they loved him. Other servants do nothing with his truth - these are no real servants because it means they do not truly follow their king. They are servants out of convenience and do nothing to build on his kingdom. Justice will be swift when everything is made
right. To those who worked to build the kingdom and act on their beliefs - infinitely more will be given. Those who pretended to be followers of Christ and did nothing with his gifts, will be known as wicked wastrels. Those who always rejected Jesus - will receive rejection from the judge and ruler Jesus. Who are we?
19:26 - There must have been hundreds or thousand of people following Jesus at this time because they covered the entire road with their cloaks. It must have been beautiful to see...thousands praising the son of God and cheering him into the city. Unfortunately, Jesus knew that very few of these people would stick with him through the end. They wanted a conquering king, not a sacrificial lamb. We never learn our lessons...look at the crusades and inquisition and the middle east, look at what happens when religion is used to rule a country. The power of the way of Jesus does not work in the political realm, because the power of the way of Jesus is in self-sacrifice and humility. That is how Christians are going to change the world...through sacrificial living...through unconditional love...through humble service.
19:41ff - Jesus weeps because so few of God's people turn out to support their Messiah. He says, "If you had only known what it truly takes to make peace in this world!" See, they believe that their Messiah was going to be a bringer of war...someone who would crush their enemies through force. Jesus walked the path he walked because the peace that we needed could only be bought through his death.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Luke Chapter 18 - September 5, 2008
18:8 - What a great challenge for us! When Jesus returns will he find people of faith? Will there be a legacy of believers that have been left behind by my generation and the generations to come. The responsibility is ours. I want to make sure there is faith, true faith, on earth when Jesus returns.
18:13 - We have to remember that the only thing we have to boast about is God's great mercy. The Pharisee probably believer that God was lucky to have him on His side...the dishonest tax collector understood that the mercy of God was the only truly good thing about his life. Which camp do we fall into?
18:17 - How does a child approach life - with innocence, joy and total trust in his protectors. To receive the kingdom of God we must seek innocence...see the joy and blessings poured out on us every day...and trust completely in God.
18:24 - I covered this in my blog over Matthew chapter 19.
18:34 - The disciples were clueless to the importance of what Jesus was saying. In our own discipleship journey, I think there are times when we forget or ignore the power of Jesus sacrifice. We allow ourselves to get blinded by our own misconceptions of importance and preoccupations with meaninglessness and we forget just how necessary and life-changing his death is for our life.
18:39 - Even when he is being rejected and persecuted by the people around him, he continues to cry out to Jesus because he knows that Jesus offers the only path to healing and life. This blind man is a great example for us to follow. I hope that I can be a man who chases after Christ regardless of how I am perceived by my peers.
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