I'm reading through the Bible this year with my church. We are using the One Year Bible that you can buy at any book store or Amazon. You can also sign up for the reading plan on YouVersion here.
If you are reading through the Bible this year, you might want to check this out first- just for laughs.
This is a post by Jon Acuff- Already being behind on your read through the Bible in a year plan.
Enjoy
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
An Improbable baby and an Impossible Baby
Today I am on the 15th day of the Rediscovering the Christmas Season reading plan by YouVersion (you can sign up for it here). Today's theme is about God doing the impossible. The reading was Luke 1 and Jeremiah 32:17, which says, "Oh, Lord God! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you!"
Luke 1 tells the story of the arrival of an "improbable baby (John the Baptist)" and the announcement of "an impossible baby (Jesus)." These two acts set the stage for God to do the impossible- making sinful humanity right with a Holy God. The truth is- it is only impossible for us to achieve. We could never make ourselves right with God; however, this is more than possible for God- it is accomplished through the life and death of Jesus Christ.
Luke 1:17 caught my attention this morning. The angel, Gabriel, says that John the Baptist "will go before [Jesus] in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people."
I always pick up on the turning of disobedient people to the understanding of the righteous. I get that...isn't that what God wants to do? He wants to reach sinful people and make them righteous. However, I totally missed the other emphasis in this passage.
God's Spirit not only draws disobedient people to Himself, His Spirit also works in the heart of fathers [parents], I believe both physical and spiritual parents, to their children (again these can be both physical and spiritual).
What this means is that God's Spirit becomes active in the heart of spiritually mature people in order to raise up children, i.e. disciples. The passage says that these fathers "make ready for the Lord a prepared people."
God's Spirit not only goes after the those far from God to draw them back to Himself; He also stirs the heart of the spiritually mature to develop the spiritual children. The Spirit will not rest with just people coming to God. No His work is not finished until they become a prepared people for the Lord.
Jesus, please empower me to raise up for You a prepared people.
Luke 1 tells the story of the arrival of an "improbable baby (John the Baptist)" and the announcement of "an impossible baby (Jesus)." These two acts set the stage for God to do the impossible- making sinful humanity right with a Holy God. The truth is- it is only impossible for us to achieve. We could never make ourselves right with God; however, this is more than possible for God- it is accomplished through the life and death of Jesus Christ.
Luke 1:17 caught my attention this morning. The angel, Gabriel, says that John the Baptist "will go before [Jesus] in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people."
I always pick up on the turning of disobedient people to the understanding of the righteous. I get that...isn't that what God wants to do? He wants to reach sinful people and make them righteous. However, I totally missed the other emphasis in this passage.
God's Spirit not only draws disobedient people to Himself, His Spirit also works in the heart of fathers [parents], I believe both physical and spiritual parents, to their children (again these can be both physical and spiritual).
What this means is that God's Spirit becomes active in the heart of spiritually mature people in order to raise up children, i.e. disciples. The passage says that these fathers "make ready for the Lord a prepared people."
God's Spirit not only goes after the those far from God to draw them back to Himself; He also stirs the heart of the spiritually mature to develop the spiritual children. The Spirit will not rest with just people coming to God. No His work is not finished until they become a prepared people for the Lord.
Jesus, please empower me to raise up for You a prepared people.
Monday, December 13, 2010
I Refuse
On Sunday (Dec. 12), we sang a new song, I Refuse, in our worship service. It is a different kind of song for us to sing in a worship setting- it doesn't focus on the character or deeds of God, but it is a song to God. A song that expresses our desires to be more than what we are...to do more than what we have done. I think it is a true expression of worship because it says, "God, you are worth more than the easy path or my comfort."
Josh Wilson, the writer of I Refuse, tells why he wrote the song here. I love that he realizes that he can't do everything, but he refuses to do nothing. I want to live that way as well. You can listen to the whole song here. I included the lyrics below.
Sometimes I,
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone’s alright
When I know they’re not.
This world needs God
But it’s easier to stand and watch.
I could pray a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong.
But I refuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately,
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of you, oh God.
So, if you say move,
Then it’s time for me to follow through,
And do what I was made to do.
Show them who you are.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
To stand and watch
The weary and lost
Cry out for help.
I refuse
To turn my back
And try and act like all is well.
I refuse
To stay unchanged,
To wait another day,
To die to myself.
I refuse
To make one more excuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
Jesus, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what You have called me to do myself.
Josh Wilson, the writer of I Refuse, tells why he wrote the song here. I love that he realizes that he can't do everything, but he refuses to do nothing. I want to live that way as well. You can listen to the whole song here. I included the lyrics below.
Sometimes I,
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone’s alright
When I know they’re not.
This world needs God
But it’s easier to stand and watch.
I could pray a prayer and just move on
Like nothing’s wrong.
But I refuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately,
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of you, oh God.
So, if you say move,
Then it’s time for me to follow through,
And do what I was made to do.
Show them who you are.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
To stand and watch
The weary and lost
Cry out for help.
I refuse
To turn my back
And try and act like all is well.
I refuse
To stay unchanged,
To wait another day,
To die to myself.
I refuse
To make one more excuse.
‘Cause I don’t want to live like I don’t care.
I don’t want to say another empty prayer.
Oh, I refuse to
Sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself.
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse.
Jesus, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what You have called me to do myself.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Gifts I have already received for Christmas
Obviously the Christmas season is heating up. Trees are up and decorated, lights are turning neighborhoods into Clark Griswold wannabes, and shopping for gifts has gone into high gear.
I've been doing a lot of thinking about gifts lately. What do I get for my wife...my boys...my family? Then I've had to give ideas about what I want for Christmas to my family. It is hard to determine what exactly you need (or want) when there isn't a whole lot you really need. It sure makes gift giving more challenging when you are trying to find something special.
Anyway, 1 John 5:18-21 put a new perspective on gifts for me. As I was reading these verses, I was reminded of some incredible gifts that God has given me through Jesus. These are truly special gifts- gifts that I both need and want:
-He has given me freedom from the power of sin ("We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin")
-He has given me safety and security in my relationship with Christ ("the One (Christ) born of God keeps him (the believer) safe")
-He has given me protection from Satan ("and the evil one cannot harm him (the believer)")
-He has given me assurance and eternal security ("We know that we are children of God")
-He has delivered me from the control of the evil one ("and the whole world (which no longer defines a believer) is under the control of the evil one")
-He has given me understanding about Him and His will ("We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true")
-He has given us a relationship with God and eternal life ("And we are in Him who is true- in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life")
Those are some incredible gifts. I encourage you to share the gift of Jesus with others this year at Christmas. He gives the gifts that everyone needs.
Jesus, thank you for these gifts. Gifts that were beyond my ability to obtain on my own, but gifts that you freely give to all who believe.
I've been doing a lot of thinking about gifts lately. What do I get for my wife...my boys...my family? Then I've had to give ideas about what I want for Christmas to my family. It is hard to determine what exactly you need (or want) when there isn't a whole lot you really need. It sure makes gift giving more challenging when you are trying to find something special.
Anyway, 1 John 5:18-21 put a new perspective on gifts for me. As I was reading these verses, I was reminded of some incredible gifts that God has given me through Jesus. These are truly special gifts- gifts that I both need and want:
-He has given me freedom from the power of sin ("We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin")
-He has given me safety and security in my relationship with Christ ("the One (Christ) born of God keeps him (the believer) safe")
-He has given me protection from Satan ("and the evil one cannot harm him (the believer)")
-He has given me assurance and eternal security ("We know that we are children of God")
-He has delivered me from the control of the evil one ("and the whole world (which no longer defines a believer) is under the control of the evil one")
-He has given me understanding about Him and His will ("We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true")
-He has given us a relationship with God and eternal life ("And we are in Him who is true- in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life")
Those are some incredible gifts. I encourage you to share the gift of Jesus with others this year at Christmas. He gives the gifts that everyone needs.
Jesus, thank you for these gifts. Gifts that were beyond my ability to obtain on my own, but gifts that you freely give to all who believe.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
A Bible Reading Plan for Christmas
The other day I started a 25 day reading plan called Rediscovering The Christmas Season. It is available at YouVersion.com. It is 25 daily readings focused on keeping Jesus at the center of the Christmas season. It has a daily reading and some additional questions to encourage reflection.
I put the plan below but I really encourage you to go to youversion.com and sign up for a free account. It’s a wonderful tool I think you’ll love.
If you don't want to sign up for it on your mobile phone or device, I encourage you to read along with the plan anyway. Below are the 25 days and their reading. It is not too late to start.
Dec 1: Luke 2:21-40
Dec 2: Matthew 1
Dec 3: Luke 2:1-20
Dec 4: Mark 9:33-37
Dec 5: Matthew 4:12-17, Isaiah 9:1-3, Matt 5:14-16
Dec 6: Acts 20:35, 1 John 4:10
Dec 7: Exodus 25
Dec 8: Matthew 25:31-46
Dec 9: Isaiah 9:6-7, Revelation 19:1-16, 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Dec 10: Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 7:10-15, John 1:14
Dec 11: Genesis 1, Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 51:1-10
Dec 12: Revelation 2:1-5, 1 John 3:1-3
Dec 13: Psalm 150
Dec 14: Acts 15:22-31
Dec 15: Luke 1, Jeremiah 32:17
Dec 16: Matthew 2:1-12
Dec 17: Galatians 4:1-7
Dec 18:Isaiah 58, Matthew 6:16-18
Dec 19: Luke 11:1-13
Dec 20: John 1
Dec 21: John 21:25
Dec 22: Psalm 100
Dec 23: Matthew 25
Dec 24: John 3:16
Dec 25: Luke 1:26-56, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-40
I put the plan below but I really encourage you to go to youversion.com and sign up for a free account. It’s a wonderful tool I think you’ll love.
If you don't want to sign up for it on your mobile phone or device, I encourage you to read along with the plan anyway. Below are the 25 days and their reading. It is not too late to start.
Dec 1: Luke 2:21-40
Dec 2: Matthew 1
Dec 3: Luke 2:1-20
Dec 4: Mark 9:33-37
Dec 5: Matthew 4:12-17, Isaiah 9:1-3, Matt 5:14-16
Dec 6: Acts 20:35, 1 John 4:10
Dec 7: Exodus 25
Dec 8: Matthew 25:31-46
Dec 9: Isaiah 9:6-7, Revelation 19:1-16, 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Dec 10: Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 7:10-15, John 1:14
Dec 11: Genesis 1, Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 51:1-10
Dec 12: Revelation 2:1-5, 1 John 3:1-3
Dec 13: Psalm 150
Dec 14: Acts 15:22-31
Dec 15: Luke 1, Jeremiah 32:17
Dec 16: Matthew 2:1-12
Dec 17: Galatians 4:1-7
Dec 18:Isaiah 58, Matthew 6:16-18
Dec 19: Luke 11:1-13
Dec 20: John 1
Dec 21: John 21:25
Dec 22: Psalm 100
Dec 23: Matthew 25
Dec 24: John 3:16
Dec 25: Luke 1:26-56, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-40
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
What does God say about eternal life
Today I was meditating on 1 John 5:6-12. It is one of those passages that seems confusing at first, but at second glance, it is pretty simple.
The main truth John is sharing is that God has given us eternal life, and that eternal life is only found in Jesus, His Son. (verses 11-12)
So many are trying to find real life...something beyond just the day to day existence that they are experiencing. People want life that is full, overflowing. A life that has purpose and meaning. However, John is clear that this type of life is found only in Jesus. It is not found in our jobs, our stuff, our conquests, or our relationships. Life is found only in Jesus. The One who is life.
John not only tells us where true life is found, he also gives a description of this life. He calls it eternal. Most people read eternal, but their minds substitute "everlasting." We miss the point of John's writing if we think quantity when John is writing about quality.
When John uses the word eternal, he takes the discussion about life to a new realm. Think about it? Who alone is eternal? God. Eternal can be used to describe no other but God. God alone has always existed. People were created. You and I have a definite beginning, but God has just always been. John is talking about you and I being able to experience a quality of life- the very life of God within us. The Eternal One gives us His Life through Jesus.
This was the type of life that was intended all along. This was the type of life Adam and Eve experienced before the Fall and the death that sin brought to all.
Not only is John saying that we have this life through Jesus, but he says it is the testimony of God. A testimony is a truthful statement. We give sworn testimonies in court, where we promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Human testimonies can sometimes lack honesty; however, God's never does. He can't lie. He always tells the truth. He is truth.
The confusing part is the beginning of this section. He talks about three that testify- the water, the blood, and the Spirit. What does John mean by the water, the blood, and the Spirit testifying?
I'll start first with the Spirit. John's point in his writings (his Gospel and letters) is that it is impossible for a person to acknowledge Jesus is God without the Spirit. Part of the Holy Spirit's responsibilities is to reveal, draw, and convict sinful people that Jesus is God. He says plainly that no one can claim Jesus is God apart from the Holy Spirit. That is what I believe the testimony of the Spirit is.
The water and the blood are a little more cryptic. In fact, Bible scholars and theologians have many opinions on what each phrase exactly means. In my humble opinion, John is referring to two events in Jesus' life that reveal He is the Son of God. The water, I believe, points to Jesus' baptism. In John's Gospel he writes that John the Baptist gave this testimony about Jesus' baptism:
The blood points to Jesus' death. John writes about his own testimony concerning Jesus' death:
John's point in writing His Gospel is that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and receive life through Him. John's point in writing 1 John is assurance. He wants you to know- not hope or guess- that you have eternal life.
It is pretty simple- if you have Jesus, you have life, but if you don't have Jesus, you don't have life. That is God's testimony...and it is the Truth!
The main truth John is sharing is that God has given us eternal life, and that eternal life is only found in Jesus, His Son. (verses 11-12)
So many are trying to find real life...something beyond just the day to day existence that they are experiencing. People want life that is full, overflowing. A life that has purpose and meaning. However, John is clear that this type of life is found only in Jesus. It is not found in our jobs, our stuff, our conquests, or our relationships. Life is found only in Jesus. The One who is life.
John not only tells us where true life is found, he also gives a description of this life. He calls it eternal. Most people read eternal, but their minds substitute "everlasting." We miss the point of John's writing if we think quantity when John is writing about quality.
When John uses the word eternal, he takes the discussion about life to a new realm. Think about it? Who alone is eternal? God. Eternal can be used to describe no other but God. God alone has always existed. People were created. You and I have a definite beginning, but God has just always been. John is talking about you and I being able to experience a quality of life- the very life of God within us. The Eternal One gives us His Life through Jesus.
This was the type of life that was intended all along. This was the type of life Adam and Eve experienced before the Fall and the death that sin brought to all.
Not only is John saying that we have this life through Jesus, but he says it is the testimony of God. A testimony is a truthful statement. We give sworn testimonies in court, where we promise to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Human testimonies can sometimes lack honesty; however, God's never does. He can't lie. He always tells the truth. He is truth.
The confusing part is the beginning of this section. He talks about three that testify- the water, the blood, and the Spirit. What does John mean by the water, the blood, and the Spirit testifying?
I'll start first with the Spirit. John's point in his writings (his Gospel and letters) is that it is impossible for a person to acknowledge Jesus is God without the Spirit. Part of the Holy Spirit's responsibilities is to reveal, draw, and convict sinful people that Jesus is God. He says plainly that no one can claim Jesus is God apart from the Holy Spirit. That is what I believe the testimony of the Spirit is.
The water and the blood are a little more cryptic. In fact, Bible scholars and theologians have many opinions on what each phrase exactly means. In my humble opinion, John is referring to two events in Jesus' life that reveal He is the Son of God. The water, I believe, points to Jesus' baptism. In John's Gospel he writes that John the Baptist gave this testimony about Jesus' baptism:
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”(John 1:32-34)
The blood points to Jesus' death. John writes about his own testimony concerning Jesus' death:
But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.” (John 19:33-37)
John's point in writing His Gospel is that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and receive life through Him. John's point in writing 1 John is assurance. He wants you to know- not hope or guess- that you have eternal life.
It is pretty simple- if you have Jesus, you have life, but if you don't have Jesus, you don't have life. That is God's testimony...and it is the Truth!
Monday, November 22, 2010
A cycle of love, trust, and obedience
I was just meditating on 1 John 5:1-5 this morning. I am always captivated by the interconnectedness that John develops. He has a way of showing that by doing one thing, you are simultaneously doing another as well. For instance, if I love Jesus then I am loving the Father as well. If I am loving God then I am loving others.
John even digs deeper into this interconnectedness by showing that it is not just the "whats" but the "hows" that are connected as well. For instance, the "what" is loving God and others. John has already shown that those two things are connected. He says over and over again that a person cannot love God and not love others; or the inverse, a person who loves God loves others. You can't have one without the other.
John now shows the "hows" of that connectedness. How do I love God? John says, "This is love for God: to obey His commands" (1 John 5:3). John also says, "This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commandments" (1 John 5:2). Do you see it? John shows how we love God and others- it is by obeying God's commandments.
I want to make it clear- obeying God's commands does not earn us anything. John shows that obedience is the clearest demonstration of our faith. It works itself out like this: God loves us, so we love him back. Love drives out all fear. Since I have no fear, I can trust him completely. Since I can (and do) trust Him completely, I can obey Him without question. I can obey Him without question because I know that He loves me unconditionally.
It is a cycle of love, trust, and obedience that builds upon itself. The more I know that God loves me, the more I love Him and trust Him. The more I trust Him, the more obedient I become. The more obedient I am, the more I realize that His commands are God's way to demonstrate His love for me (because His commands are always to provide and protect me).
Finally, John says that God's commands are not burdensome. In fact, they are God's directions in how we overcome the world (the broken system of how people relate to each other based upon their own selfish desires). In my opinion, John is saying that our only hope of overcoming the world is entering into the cycle of love, trust, and obedience to Jesus Christ.
What do you think?
Jesus, thank you for bringing me into this ever increasing cycle of love, trust, and obedience to You that leads me to overcome the world and my own selfishness.
John even digs deeper into this interconnectedness by showing that it is not just the "whats" but the "hows" that are connected as well. For instance, the "what" is loving God and others. John has already shown that those two things are connected. He says over and over again that a person cannot love God and not love others; or the inverse, a person who loves God loves others. You can't have one without the other.
John now shows the "hows" of that connectedness. How do I love God? John says, "This is love for God: to obey His commands" (1 John 5:3). John also says, "This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commandments" (1 John 5:2). Do you see it? John shows how we love God and others- it is by obeying God's commandments.
I want to make it clear- obeying God's commands does not earn us anything. John shows that obedience is the clearest demonstration of our faith. It works itself out like this: God loves us, so we love him back. Love drives out all fear. Since I have no fear, I can trust him completely. Since I can (and do) trust Him completely, I can obey Him without question. I can obey Him without question because I know that He loves me unconditionally.
It is a cycle of love, trust, and obedience that builds upon itself. The more I know that God loves me, the more I love Him and trust Him. The more I trust Him, the more obedient I become. The more obedient I am, the more I realize that His commands are God's way to demonstrate His love for me (because His commands are always to provide and protect me).
Finally, John says that God's commands are not burdensome. In fact, they are God's directions in how we overcome the world (the broken system of how people relate to each other based upon their own selfish desires). In my opinion, John is saying that our only hope of overcoming the world is entering into the cycle of love, trust, and obedience to Jesus Christ.
What do you think?
Jesus, thank you for bringing me into this ever increasing cycle of love, trust, and obedience to You that leads me to overcome the world and my own selfishness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
