Rules of ministry for Christ disciples
S- Luke 9:1-6 (NASB)
1 And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. 2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. 5 And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
O - The disciples (Apostles) are sent out for the work of the ministry even before Christ's death and resurrection, even before the great commission is proclaimed, and they are given power and authority over disease and demons. This is Jesus' way of teaching them for the future but notice it is not insignificant gifts He gives them to use, and then He gives clear instructions on how to carry about the ministry. They were quite simply to go with nothing and stop where invited in, and leave if unwelcome.
A - The application for me is to realize how exciting and scary following Christ can be. It is exciting to know the Lord has a plan for us, and plan for us to prosper in our ministry, but we need to trust the who and the where and the how long to Him. Amazing things happen in ministry, peoples lives are forever changed, healing occurs, and true communion with the father is restored. All that is needed is a yielded and trusting lifestyle.
P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's message, may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you help lead me and my family to the work of your ministry. I am praying for guidance and clarity on how in this season you would have me move out and do your work in this community you have planted us in. I pray for the courage to be obedient to your prompting, and for discernment of which doors to open and which doors to leave behind. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Requirements to produce in the Kingdom
Requirements to produce in the Kingdom
S - Luke 8:15 (NASB)
15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
O - This morning I wanted to focus in on the parable of the seed and take a look at what it takes to be fruitful in kingdom things. From the previous seeds, along the road, rocky and thorny soils we see the devil snatching away, and the world stealing away the focus on kingdom things. So the good soil is us. But what makes the good soil good, it is one who holds fast to the word of God, and because of what the word says and does in us, begins to bear fruit, in kingdom terms does things to draw people to the Lord in a way that more and more lives are impacted by the Gospel. But this person does so with perseverance which is a habit without which you can hold onto the word of God as a means for living your life.
A - The application for me is to persevere in God's work by holding fast to God's word. It seems intuitive to keep to the book that tells us how to live our life but I believe it is more than even that. The challenge of living and producing kingdom fruit in the world comes with supernatural as well as natural challenges and the word of God is alive and good for instructing on how to live today and produce kingdom fruit.
P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your instructions in your word. May today's lesson, be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you would be my instructor and my guide to producing kingdom fruit with perseverance. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
S - Luke 8:15 (NASB)
15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
O - This morning I wanted to focus in on the parable of the seed and take a look at what it takes to be fruitful in kingdom things. From the previous seeds, along the road, rocky and thorny soils we see the devil snatching away, and the world stealing away the focus on kingdom things. So the good soil is us. But what makes the good soil good, it is one who holds fast to the word of God, and because of what the word says and does in us, begins to bear fruit, in kingdom terms does things to draw people to the Lord in a way that more and more lives are impacted by the Gospel. But this person does so with perseverance which is a habit without which you can hold onto the word of God as a means for living your life.
A - The application for me is to persevere in God's work by holding fast to God's word. It seems intuitive to keep to the book that tells us how to live our life but I believe it is more than even that. The challenge of living and producing kingdom fruit in the world comes with supernatural as well as natural challenges and the word of God is alive and good for instructing on how to live today and produce kingdom fruit.
P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your instructions in your word. May today's lesson, be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you would be my instructor and my guide to producing kingdom fruit with perseverance. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Love - the most important habit to live
Love - the most important habit to live
Luke 6:27-37 *(NASB)
Luke 6:27-37 *(NASB)
27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
O - This teaching was directed toward the apostles after Jesus had just chose them. Up to then Jesus was leading a group of followers and He was ministering to individuals and groups in the area's he was traveling. Jesus began to prepare His disciples for the challenges they would face in following and leading His church by teaching Him in my mind the toughest principle of all, loving your enemies. To learn to love all mankind like Christ does, requires that we love as He does. Jesus came to save the worst of the sinners, but He does so because He loves them, he needed His apostles to do the same.
A - The application for me is to realize I must practice the discipline of loving my enemies, even the ones that just hurt or offended me. I have been reflecting lately on those I have not loved well even those I have held a grudge against, or wanted to do bodily harm to. I realize now I cannot be an effective disciple of Christ if I continue not to love how He loves me (us all)
P - Dear heavenly Father,thank you for today's lesson,may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you temper me in a way that controls my passion and allows me to love as you love. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Don't forget the mission
Don't forget the mission
S - Luke 4:18-19
18 “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
O - This scripture was spoken by Jesus at the synagogue of his hometown, he was reading from the book of Isaiah. He had recently been baptized in the Jordan where the spirit of the Lord descended on Him, after which he fasted and was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness. All that is the context in which the next words we here from Jesus in the gospel of Luke is that he quotes was written hundreds of years before about this precise moment in time when Jesus would begin preaching the Gospel and perform miracles.
A- The part that capture my attention and my understanding is that Jesus' mission eventually became my mission when I made him Lord of my life. The mission is the same as listed here, to preach the Gospel to the poor, to help release the captive, give sight to the blind, and set free the oppressed. These are who Jesus went after in His ministry on earth and I suspect I am to do the same in some fashion. The challenge is not to become a social Christian who gathers with like minded Christians for fellowship but never leaves the comfort of the group to share the gospel, to free the oppressed, or give healing to those with affirmities. The Gospel is alive, and the mission is clear, I need simulate to press forward and never forget the mission I am on.
P - Dear heavenly father, thank you Lord for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you would help me to live out your calling in my life, and that you would grow me to fullfil the work that you are doing here on earth. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
S - Luke 4:18-19
18 “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
O - This scripture was spoken by Jesus at the synagogue of his hometown, he was reading from the book of Isaiah. He had recently been baptized in the Jordan where the spirit of the Lord descended on Him, after which he fasted and was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness. All that is the context in which the next words we here from Jesus in the gospel of Luke is that he quotes was written hundreds of years before about this precise moment in time when Jesus would begin preaching the Gospel and perform miracles.
A- The part that capture my attention and my understanding is that Jesus' mission eventually became my mission when I made him Lord of my life. The mission is the same as listed here, to preach the Gospel to the poor, to help release the captive, give sight to the blind, and set free the oppressed. These are who Jesus went after in His ministry on earth and I suspect I am to do the same in some fashion. The challenge is not to become a social Christian who gathers with like minded Christians for fellowship but never leaves the comfort of the group to share the gospel, to free the oppressed, or give healing to those with affirmities. The Gospel is alive, and the mission is clear, I need simulate to press forward and never forget the mission I am on.
P - Dear heavenly father, thank you Lord for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you would help me to live out your calling in my life, and that you would grow me to fullfil the work that you are doing here on earth. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The fruit of a real Christian
The fruit of a real Christian
S- Luke 3:7-14 (NASB)
7 So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11 And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” 12 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” 14 Somesoldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”
O - John the Baptist began truly to make way for the Lord by already preaching the Gospel and giving a picture for everyone of the life one who has salvation and reconciliation with God would live their life. Though the people of Israel were a chosen people, and had a religion set up based on the promise to Abraham, and the commandments given to Noah, they still strayed away from God and His ways for man. What John preached here is that God's people would be known by their fruit not by there family upbringing, or religious practices. He exampled the fruit in terms of their actions: generosity, abundance mindset, fairness and followers of the truth, kindness and gentleness.
A - The application for me is to recognize that the fruit of a christian is the same as that of those who had not yet know Christ back in the days of John the Baptist. Galatians 5:22-23 list the fruit of the spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. These are the things I am to measure my fullness of faith and obedience to Christ.
P - Dear heavenly father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord you would help me example the fruits in my own life, and make adjustments where needed to fully live the live that you designed me to live, and that is pleasing to you. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
S- Luke 3:7-14 (NASB)
7 So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11 And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” 12 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” 14 Somesoldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”
O - John the Baptist began truly to make way for the Lord by already preaching the Gospel and giving a picture for everyone of the life one who has salvation and reconciliation with God would live their life. Though the people of Israel were a chosen people, and had a religion set up based on the promise to Abraham, and the commandments given to Noah, they still strayed away from God and His ways for man. What John preached here is that God's people would be known by their fruit not by there family upbringing, or religious practices. He exampled the fruit in terms of their actions: generosity, abundance mindset, fairness and followers of the truth, kindness and gentleness.
A - The application for me is to recognize that the fruit of a christian is the same as that of those who had not yet know Christ back in the days of John the Baptist. Galatians 5:22-23 list the fruit of the spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. These are the things I am to measure my fullness of faith and obedience to Christ.
P - Dear heavenly father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord you would help me example the fruits in my own life, and make adjustments where needed to fully live the live that you designed me to live, and that is pleasing to you. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
Monday, January 2, 2012
God's graceful plan for us
God's graceful plan for us
S - Gen 3:22-24
22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
O - With alot of help from J. Vernon McGee's commentary I came to understand the grace God has shown here to Adam and Eve. You see once they ate from the tree of life, they walk now in disobedience of God's command, sin. God so loved man he would not allow him to eat from the tree of life at that time because he would have walked eternally in sin. Instead he provided a different, more difficult yet fair path. Man would no longer have eternal life by eating of the tree of life, but would have it by sacrifice and atonement. The rest of the story of the bible is about leading man to the place of final atonement and acceptance of the one true sacrifice that is Christ.
A - The application for me today is really to see the beauty and wholeness of God's plan, as written in God's word. I am continually amazed at the unwrapping of the scripture that God does for me when I spend time in His word. Today I make a renewed commitment to learn and be mentored by God and His word, so that I might continue to grow in the understanding of who He is, what His promises are, and what His plan for me is.
P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you would continue to teach and grow me, so that I might know you better, and that you might use me for your kingdom purpose. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
S - Gen 3:22-24
22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
O - With alot of help from J. Vernon McGee's commentary I came to understand the grace God has shown here to Adam and Eve. You see once they ate from the tree of life, they walk now in disobedience of God's command, sin. God so loved man he would not allow him to eat from the tree of life at that time because he would have walked eternally in sin. Instead he provided a different, more difficult yet fair path. Man would no longer have eternal life by eating of the tree of life, but would have it by sacrifice and atonement. The rest of the story of the bible is about leading man to the place of final atonement and acceptance of the one true sacrifice that is Christ.
A - The application for me today is really to see the beauty and wholeness of God's plan, as written in God's word. I am continually amazed at the unwrapping of the scripture that God does for me when I spend time in His word. Today I make a renewed commitment to learn and be mentored by God and His word, so that I might continue to grow in the understanding of who He is, what His promises are, and what His plan for me is.
P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you would continue to teach and grow me, so that I might know you better, and that you might use me for your kingdom purpose. I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
My wife and helper
My wife and helper
S - Gen 2:18 (NASB)
18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
...
S - Gen 2:18 (NASB)
18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
...
“This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”
24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
O - From the beginning God had a plan in His creation. First to create all things, then to create man in His image, and then to give man a relationship with his own flesh and blood. The scripture says it is not good for man to alone, and he needs a helper. The principle relationship God gives us from the beginning is one with our spouse.
A - As I start the new year, in a new house, on the adventure and mission God has prepared for me, I am reminded of the helpmate He has blessed me with and the relationship He intends me to work within to cultivate life on earth.
P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this refreshing of your plan and your creation. Thank you for all that you continue to invest in my and Abby's life. I pray Lord that you would continue to refresh, provide, and guide us in pursuit of you plan for our lives. I pray all that in Jesus name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)