June_29

SHARING BREAD

⁶³ The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. ⁶⁴ They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” ⁶⁵ And they said many other insulting things to him.

Luke 22:63-65 (NIV)

To get a panoramic view of our verses for today, let’s check out how the other three gospels present this same scene:

⁶⁷ Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him ⁶⁸ and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”   Matt 26:67-68 (NIV)

 

⁶⁵ Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.   Mark 14:65 (NIV)

 

²² When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.  ²³ “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”   John 18:22-23 (NIV)

 

Isaiah prophesizes this incident in the following way:

 

⁶ I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.  ⁷ Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.    Isaiah 50:6-7 (NIV)

 

Mocked by mere men, blindfolded and blasphemed, spit upon, slapped and repeatedly struck our silent Savior bears our shame – out of pure love, He marvelously demonstrates and displays for us His all achieving power under control.  One word from His holy lips and a myriad of angels would have been at His royal disposal yet He chose to endure the disgrace for my scrawny neck and yours.  The Lord remained silent throughout this fiery ordeal committing Himself to Him who judges justly all the while standing firm in all the will of God – mature and fully assured..  Kind of makes our whining and complaining over a broken fingernail or spilt milk a mute point does it not?  In that day, spitting upon someone showed utter contempt – an act of repudiation and of gross personal insult – imagine this done to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  Peter tells us:

 

²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  ²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.   1 Peter 2:21-24 (NIV)

 

As Jesus is our Supreme example we are to follow His lead.  We are called to emulate His character and His conduct through His power.    Scripture tells us:

 

⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.   1 John 2:6 (NIV)

 

“It is urgently needful that the Christian people of our charge should come to understand that they are not a company of invalids, to be wheeled about, or fed by hand, cosseted, nursed, and comforted, the minister being head-physician and nurse – but a garrison in an enemy’s country, every soul of which should have some post of duty, at which he should be prepared to make any sacrifice rather than quit it.”    F.B. Meyer   

     

“Our identity as Jesus’ followers should define and dictate our lives.”  Joseph Stowell, III

 

“According to the New Testament, God wills that the church be a people who show what God is like.”  Stanley J. Grenz

“Though assaults be many, and my enemies mighty, if God strengthen me, I have enough to comfort me; for the greater my enemy, the more glorious my victory; and the more glorious my victory, the more triumphant my glory.”  K.H. Von Bogatzky

 

What I glean from this:

• Jesus silently suffered under despicable treatment to save me.
• Jesus entrusted Himself to God who judges justly –  ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.    Romans 12:19 (NIV)
• I am to follow Jesus’ lead.

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June_26

SHARING BREAD

⁵⁸ A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

⁵⁹ About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

⁶⁰ Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” ⁶² And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Luke 22:58-62 (NIV)

Brokenhearted, bitterly bruised in spirit, faced with the weakness of his flesh, ashamed over the denials of his Lord flowing from his lips – all qualifications catapulting Peter into useful service for Jesus.  This may come as a surprise to some, but God uses those greatly who are filled with Him and not of themselves and their own abilities!

“The Lord sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.”  D. W. Moody

“There is no other method of living piously and justly than that of depending upon God.”    John Calvin

Peter is ripe for the Lord’s use.  It would do us all well to realize that we are not useful for kingdom work until we come to the end of ourselves.  The wonderful promises of Scripture are thus:

¹⁸ The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:18 (NIV)

 

¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.    Psalms 51:17 (NIV)

 

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   Matt 5:3 (NIV)

Indeed, the prophet Isaiah states the following regarding Jesus’ future job description:

 ¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, ² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor – Isaiah 61:1-2 (NIV)

A believer must have his spirit broken of all self-assertion, acknowledging his need of God for spiritual renewal and cleansing.  This is brokenness over the sin not simply over the consequences occurring from the sin. Oftentimes, we are sad over what the sin produces in our lives rather than the bitterness of heart regarding our own depravity which Peter so wonderfully portrays in our verses for today.  Jesus came to free us from the captivity of sin and of ourselves!

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.   1 John 1:9 (NIV)

 

We must at all times be willing to acknowledge any failure which God’s light exposes in our lives, recognizing our need for spiritual cleansing which comes only from our Savior.  As we turn to Him in genuine repentance, He graciously and mercifully cleanses and restores us.

 

Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.   Charles Spurgeon

Once so confident in his own responses, Peter is now made amazingly aware of his flawed flesh.  I am ashamed to admit how many times I can relate to Peter’s predicament!  As Jesus “looked straight” in my direction (a/k/a as the conviction of the Holy Spirit) my heart melted like chocolate on a hot July day.  His “look” is a significant look bringing both conviction and grace – power goes forth from it to change the wayward heart.  Our part is repentance – a turning from the wrong way to the right way – am embracing of the will of God over our own – and as we turn, He turns us!  Jeremiah tells us:

“If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me;    Jer 15:19 (NIV)

The words translated “repent” and “restore” are the exact same Hebrew word “Sub” meaning to turn back around, return; essentially denotes a movement back from the point of departure.  If we make the decision to willingly turn, He will turn us!  Praise Him!

“The greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.”  William Booth

 What I glean from this:

• God will not despise my brokenness of heart.
• God is faithful to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness when I turn to Him in repentance.
• Jesus’ “look” brings me conviction and grace and the power to change.

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June_24

SHARING BREAD

⁵⁴ Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. ⁵⁵ But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. ⁵⁶ A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

⁵⁷ But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

Luke 22:54-57 (NIV)

I do not know about anybody else, but when I am frightened, I get cold!  I guess that is where we get the term “trembling in fear”!  Not only that, I find it more comforting to be in the midst of people when I am scared – I guess I know enough about my own flesh to know that I am not much help in a crisis!  We find our protagonist Peter, in his fear, following Jesus at a distance in an effort to blend and go unnoticed – experiencing both of these in our verses for today – when the crowds had kindled a fire, we discover Pete sitting down among them.  In the midst of all the commotion, much to Peter’s chagrin, some simple servant girl charges Peter with being a companion of Jesus.  Peter, we are told, denies such allegations – stating firmly that he did not know Him. Contrast this behavior with his brave statement of loyalty to Jesus just a few verses prior:

³³ But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Luke 22:33 (NIV)

 

Words oftentimes flow much easier than actions do they not?  Talk sans ensuing deeds is certainly cheap.  It is cheap in love, it is cheap in business, it is cheap in the pulpit, it is cheap in relationships and it is cheap in discipleship.  Lest we think we are casting stones at Peter by stating the facts of Scripture, we are not – we too can be as impetuous and zealous in our proclamations of what we will or will not do.  I am confident that Peter was convinced of his statement – he believed that he would fulfill what he was vowing; he just neglected to reflect for a moment on the weakness of his flesh.  Flesh wants to preserve flesh – it is a very natural instinct.  We all come well equipped with SOS (Save Our Skin) DNA!  Peter’s failure to follow through on his promise should come as a warning for us to be careful to guard our words and our ways as we are just as easy to fall.  We must remember too that this incident occurred prior to Peter having the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Flesh will fail us, Jesus will not and the One who gives the power gets the glory.

 

“We must first be in Christ before we are new creatures…Look not for sanctification, nor for genuine fruits of righteousness, till thy soul is united unto Christ by a living faith; for it is faith that purifies the heart, and works (that is produces good works) by love.   Thou must first be in Christ, grafted into Christ by faith, before thou canst be a new creature.”   K.H. Von Bogatzky  

 

Scripture states the following regarding making a vow:

 

“This is what the LORD commands: ² When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.   Num 30:1-2 (NIV)

 

Jesus reiterates this in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew:

 

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ ³⁴ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.   Matt 5:33-37 (NIV)

 

One’s life should be sufficient to back up one’s word.  Are we a people who do what we say?  Do we make thoughtless and vast promises that we do not keep?   Do we speak the truth in love or do we blow with whatever wind of conversation encircles us at the time?  Do our lives reflect our words – practicing what we preach or have we simply learned the art of stating only what people want to hear – changing our views with each audience?  Standing for everything and therefore standing for nothing.

 

“There may be no trumpet sound or loud applause when we make the right decision, just a calm sense of resolution and peace.”  Gloria Gaither

 A wise person uses words with restraint.  A wise person gives thought to his words. In fact the Bible teaches:
²⁷ A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.  ²⁸ Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.   Prov 17:27-28 (NIV)

 

¹⁹ When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.   Prov 10:19 (NIV)

 

“Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness.”   C.H. Spurgeon

 

“Honesty has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it.”  Charles Swindoll

What I glean from this:

• I should not be impetuous and rash in stating what I will or will not do.
• I should give thought to my words and my deeds.
• My life should reflect what I espouse.

 

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June_22

SHARING BREAD

⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? ⁵³ Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour–when darkness reigns.”

Luke 22:52-53 (NIV)

Even in His arrest, Jesus reasons with the mob showing forth His divine sovereignty – they were not going to reign until it was their allotted hour.  Coming out in the cover of darkness, and going forth in the force of darkness, these “religious” leaders were themselves breaking their own laws – committing illegal behavior both by arresting Jesus at night and by being accompanied by a hired accuser.  As Jesus told them, “this is your hour” – what a pathetic trade off they were about to make.  I am reminded of Jesus’ words commending the Church in Philadelphia regarding another “hour” yet to occur on this earth – found in Revelation:

 ⁸ I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. ⁹ I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars–I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.   Rev 3:8-10 (NIV)

Contrast these words given above to the Church in Philadelphia with the remonstration that these ecclesiastics received from Jesus in our verses for today.  Holding fast to their religiosity as their god, they received no such commendation from the lips of our Savior.

“That to which your heart clings is your god.”   Martin Luther

They, who were employed in this hateful bit of service, should have known that they need not come in the dead of night nor come with swords and clubs.  They knew that Jesus would not have resisted as He had been daily with them in the temple – He, right in their midst.  Jesus had come to do His Father’s will and He was obedient.  He continually told His followers:

³⁸ For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38 (NIV)

 

Jesus knew that this was all part of the plan.  He was not taken by surprise.  He willingly submitted to the evil deed in order to save me – in order to save you and even in order to save them.  I am reminded of the chorus in the lyrics of the song “New Again”:

 

“Whatever happens…Whatever you see…Whatever your eyes tell you has become of me…This is not…Not the end…I am making all things new again.”

 

 “As a blind man has no idea of colors, so have we no idea (how) the all-wise God perceives and understands all things.”  Isaac Newton

“Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.  Unresting, unhasting and silent as light, Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might; Thy justice like mountains high soaring above Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.”   Walter C. Smith

 

Satan, the ruler of darkness, was permitted to do his worst.  Yet, praise Jesus, the darkness must give way to light – the power of darkness will be made to give homage to the Prince of Light.  Talk about making beauty from ashes!  Just as the prophet Isaiah tells us:

 

 ¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, ² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion– to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.    Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)

“God gives the cross, and the cross gives us God.”   Madame Guyon

What I glean from this:

• Jesus is never taken by surprise.
• Jesus came to do His Gather’s will.
•  Jesus came to make all things new again.

 

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June_19

SHARING BREAD

⁴⁹ When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” ⁵⁰ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

⁵¹ But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

Luke 22:49-51 (NIV)

In our verses for today Jesus wonderfully fleshes out Romans 12 for our eyes to see.  I love the fact that Jesus never asks anything of us that He Himself, in some fashion, did not experience:

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.   Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)

These are difficult words indeed which to be consistently obedient to is made possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s face it, it is easy to be nice to those who are like-minded but let someone cross us or cause us harm and we get all up in arms!  Jesus says “No more of this!”  We are to be different and our difference is made manifest by our love – no matter how difficult the people are to love in our sphere!  This points others to Jesus opening the door for them to come to salvation which is only available through Him.

The Irish evangelist Gypsy Smith once said, "There are five Gospels: Matthew Mark, Luke, John, and the Christian, and some people will never read the first four." 

We are often much too concerned with our own rights when in fact, as believers we have been bought by the blood of Jesus and have relinquished those rights we have a death grip on!  Scripture tells us:

¹⁹ Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.    1 Cor 6:19-20 (NIV)

 

We may be asking “Why?”  Apart from the obvious fact that it is commanded, our obedience also brings much glory to God, ushers others to Jesus and allows us the blessing of the abundant life He holds out for us to embrace.  Salvation is not just for eternity it is also for the here and now.  We miss out on why we are even here if we stubbornly dig in our heals and refuse obedience to our Lord.  We are certainly the losers when this occurs.   Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew:

 

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.    Matt 5:14-16 (NIV)

“Be more concerned for God’s glory than for your relief.”  “The next time you’re overwhelmed, instead of asking, ‘How can I get out of this mess?’ try asking, ‘How can God be glorified in this situation?’”  Robert J. Morgan

Our job is to shine His light pointing others to the proper path.  Our influence should be intentionally evident – as a city on a hill is a beacon in the darkness, in like manner, His light shining through our lives should beam forth to this dark world.  So how are we doing in this endeavor?  It is not easy to live so contrary to the world’s standards of revenge or retribution. People think that we have lost our senses.  We are told we are weak or perhaps a doormat when in reality our meekness is “a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness, not in weakness but in power.  It is a balance born in strength of character” (Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids).   

 

“Meekness is the mark of a man who has been mastered by God.”  Geoffrey B. Wilson

Lest we forget the example Jesus sets forth for us, it might be wise to revisit the prophecy Isaiah stated regarding the voluntary future restraint of our Lord’s power:

 

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.  ⁸ By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants?  For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. ⁹ He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. ¹⁰ Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,  and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.  ¹¹ After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.   Isaiah 53:7-11 (NIV)

 

“Jesus is the One who shows us the paradoxical route to meaning in a chaotic and hostile world.  It’s the paradox of the gospel: Strength is found in weakness. Control is found in dependency. Power is found in surrender….God uses the frustrations of this life and the hurt of relationships to compel us to look beyond what we can control to the God who controls all things in order to woo us to himself. As we move from control to surrender, we move from chasing the wind under the sun to embracing God above it.”  Dan Allender, Breaking the Idols of You

What I glean from this:

• I am commanded to overcome evil with good.
• I may be the only gospel some people in my sphere will ever “read”.
• I am to shine the light of Jesus in this dark world.

 

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June_17

SHARING BREAD

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, ⁴⁸ but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Luke 22:47-48 (NIV)

In our verses for today, we see the angry crowds led by one of Jesus’ own disciples – Judas, who we are told, betrays Jesus with a kiss. Ironically, a kiss is generally such a sweet sign of love yet Judas both desecrates and abuses it.  I wonder how often we desecrate and abuse what is sweet and good?  Demonstrating one thing by our actions yet the motivation behind the action is selfish ambition or vain conceit.

“Man sees your actions, but God, your motives.”  Thomas a Kempis

“Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.”   Charles Spurgeon

God is looking for proper behavior from His children backed by proper motives!  I am reminded of David’s words to his son Solomon regarding the building of the temple.  As our bodies are now the dwelling place of the precious Holy Spirit, it would do us well to remember that we are in the process of building our temples too:

 ⁹ “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. ¹⁰ Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”   1 Chron 28:9-10 (NIV)

The prophet Haggai gives the same command in the following way:

⁷ This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. ⁸ Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the LORD. ⁹ “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the LORD Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.   Hag 1:7-9 (NIV)

 

We often become busy building our houses of wood, hay or straw neglecting the finer gold, silver and costly stones.  When this occurs, we are the ones who suffer loss.  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:

 

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. ¹⁴ If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.   1 Cor 3:10-15 (NIV)

“If we suffer the good to grow weaker, the evil will surely gather strength and struggle desperately for the mastery over us; and so, mayhap, a painful desolation, and a lamentable disgrace may follow.”  Charles Spurgeon

Have you ever taken notice that there are simply no secrets hidden from Jesus?  Knowing full well who was to betray Him, Jesus was even mindful of Judas’ “secret” sign of a kiss which would show the crowd accompanying him exactly who they were looking for to arrest. I am reminded of God’s Words in Jeremiah:

²⁴ Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD.   Jer 23:24 (NIV)

Nothing is outside the realm of God’s omniscience – nothing.  What a comforting thought!  We also find in Isaiah:

²⁴ “This is what the LORD says–your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,    Isaiah 44:24 (NIV)

⁵ I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, ⁶ so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. ⁷ I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.   Isaiah 45:5-7 (NIV)

¹⁰ I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.   Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)

 

What I glean from this:

 

• God knows the motives behind my actions.
• God desires for my motives to be love.
• There are no secrets from Jesus.

 

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June_15

SHARING BREAD

⁴⁵ When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Luke 22:45-46 (NIV)

Ever been sorrowfully depressed over circumstances differing greatly from what was hoped or perhaps even prayed for?   If so, we are in good company.  These disciples, exhausted from sorrow, were experiencing such despair.  Much more than just mere flippant followers of Jesus, these guys normally were adherents to His lead.  Indeed, the very definition of the word translated “disciple” “denotes an adherent who accepts the instruction given to him and makes it his rule of conduct.  Jesus’ teaching was the basis for their conduct.”  Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids.  Oftentimes, we too can become so discouraged over the outcome of a situation that we choose to retreat in sleep – burying our heads, so to speak, under the comfort of the comforter when in reality the Comforter is to be found on our knees in prayer!  Jesus cries out to us as well – “Why are you sleeping?”  

I love the way the gospel of Matthew states this same scene:

⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”   Matt 26:40-41 (NIV)

 

“He speaks as one amazed to see them so stupid.  How small a thing it was that he expected from them – only to keep watch with him.  If he had bid them do some great thing, or die with him, they thought they could have done it; and yet they could not do it, when he desired them to keep watch with him….Yet, He considered their frame, and did not chide them, for he remembered that they were but flesh.”     Matthew Henry 

 

Believer, this is our hour!  Jesus warns us to watch and pray emphasizing the weakness of our flesh even though our spirit is staunch.   Paul warns us in the following way regarding our weakness in temptation:

 

¹² So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!   1 Cor 10:12 (NIV)

 

“Satan does not often attack a Christian who is living near to God.  It is when the Christian departs from his God, becomes spiritually starved, and endeavours to feed on vanities, that the devil discovers his vantage hour.”  C. H. Spurgeon

Repeatedly in Scripture we are commanded to watch and pray – this is for our benefit – to keep us from falling.  Just like the parable of the ten virgins – five being wise and five being foolish – five were prepared and five were not when the Bridegroom arrived.  Jesus ends the parable with the following verse as a warning to us as well:

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.   Matt 25:13 (NIV)

Again, Jesus tells us:

 

⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.   Matt 24:42-44 (NIV)

 

Paul gives us the same warning in Ephesians:

 

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.    Eph 6:18 (NIV)

We are to always be praying and alert not only when the enemy attacks but on all occasions – through the power and the sphere of the Holy Spirit.  Being thorough and intense, alert and persistent in our intercession shows us to be reliable soldiers in our Lord’s army.

 

“Labor to get a deep sense of the majesty of God, and of his mercy, upon thy mind, that thy prayers may be fervent and earnest; and God will bless thee.”   

 

Let our trials lead us to earnest prayer – praying from the heart in our own words – as often as we call upon the Lord, He will hear us and He will help us.

 

¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.   Jer 29:12-13 (NIV)

 

What I glean from this:

 

• When I am sorrowful or spent over circumstances I should not retreat to the comforter on my bed but to the Comforter on my knees.
• I am to be watchful and prayerful so that I will not fall into temptation.  ⁸ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
• My prayers should be both earnest and fervent.

 

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June_12

SHARING BREAD

⁴³ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴ And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Luke 22:43-44 (NIV)

In our verses for today we see a ministering angel sent to strengthen our Lord as He prays in much anguish.  The word translated “anguish” is from the Greek word “Agonia” meaning:   “A contest, conflict; stress, agony intense inner tension.  It has in mind the intense anxiety, dread, or tension one experiences in anticipation of a conflict, as a soldier before a battle or an athlete before a match.  It denotes Jesus’ anguished state of mind in Gethsemane prior to the crucifixion.  He is filled with dreaded anticipation, not fright or panic, as He faces the epic battle on which man’s salvation rests.  In the ultimate conflict of the ages, Jesus will emerge as the Victor.”  Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids.

I love the fact that God sent an angel to strengthen our Lord.  I am reminded of Psalm 91:

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

Psalms 91:11 (NIV)

 

“Though assaults be many, and my enemies mighty, if God strengthen me, I have enough to comfort me; for the greater my enemy, the more glorious my victory; and the more glorious my victory, the more triumphant my glory.”  K.H. Von Bogatzky

 

I also love the example Jesus fleshes out for us to follow when our time of anguish arrives – He earnestly sought His Father in prayer.  God was His refuge and His high tower – as He is ours.  While Christ was not delivered from His sufferings, He was strengthened and supported under them.  We are given the grace sufficient to meet every need God has allowed. We would do well to take heed of Jesus’ actions and apply them in our lives as well.

 

“The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God cannot sustain you!”  Anonymous

“As his sorrow and trouble grew upon him, he grew more persistent in prayer.  Prayer, though never out of season, is in a special manner timely when we are in an agony; and the stronger our agonies are the more lively and frequent our prayers should be.”   Matthew Henry 

“Doubt not His grace because of thy tribulation, but believe that He loveth thee as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness.”  Charles Spurgeon

Oftentimes during trials and calamities it is difficult to remember the promises of God in order to rest in them and pray them back to Him.  I have found Psalm 91 to be a very helpful Psalm to turn to. Indeed, I have found it to be so profitable in my life I have committed it to memory.  I call it the “I will” Psalm of God.  In the sixteen verses we find the word “will” used over 20 times!  It is well worth a long savoring read.  It points to God as being our faithful refuge, fortress and protector as we rest in His shadow – even through our anguishing trials.  This wonderful psalm ends on such an encouraging note:

¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. ¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  ¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”   Psalms 91:14-16 (NIV)

God rescues, protects and answers; He is with us in trouble, He delivers and honors and satisfies – who could ask for greater promises than these?

“Grief exalts us, and troubles lift us.”  Charles Spurgeon

“The one who gives the power gets the glory.”  John Piper

“Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.”  Alexander Maclaren

“Faith,” wrote C.H. Mackintosh, “raises the soul above the difficulty, straight to God Himself, and enables one to stand still.  We gain nothing by our restless and anxious efforts……It is therefore true wisdom, in all times of difficulty and perplexity, to stand still – to wait only upon God, and He will assuredly open a way for us.”

 

What I glean from this:

• Jesus was in much anguish over the dreaded anticipation of the cross, therefore He is mercifully able to understand my fleshly anguish resulting from my trials:   ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Heb 2:17-18 (NIV)
•  God sent an angel to minister to Jesus as He faced this battle as He will do likewise for me as I pour out to Him in prayer.
• It is God who delivers and honors and satisfies me.

 

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June_10

SHARING BREAD

⁴¹ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Luke 22:41-42 (NIV)

In our verses for today we see Jesus fleshing out what He taught His disciples on prayer:

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, ¹⁰ your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.    Matt 6:9-10 (NIV)

 

I am reminded of Paul’s words to us in Romans regarding God’s will for our lives:

 

² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.   Romans 12:2 (NIV)

 

God’s will for our lives is always good and pleasing and perfect – whether we are able to ascertain that through our emotions and feelings or any other of our senses.  God has prepared profitable, useful and beneficial things for each one of us and it is His desire for us to walk in them:

 

 ¹⁰ For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.   Eph 2:10 (NIV)

When we do not submit to God’s will for our lives, we do ourselves much disservice.  Our prayers should echo that of King David:

¹⁰ Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.   Psalms 143:10 (NIV)

 

Like Jesus, David’s prayers were solidly based on his trust in God.  David not only wanted to be shown God’s will for his life but also to be taught how to stand firm in it – knowing with certainty God’s way was for his ultimate good and for the good of others.  In our frailty, being both lame and blind (not to mention dull), we would often choose wrong paths simply because of ease and comfort not to mention fleshly desires and lust.  

 

“Enable me to do what is pleasing to you; give me that grace that is necessary to the right knowledge of your will, and an acceptable obedience to it, that we may neither displease God in anything we do nor be displeased at anything God does.”    Matthew Henry

 

I am presently reading a wonderful book entitled 50 People Every Christian Should Know by Warren Wiersbe.  In discussing the life of the famous hymn writer Fanny Crosby – blinded at the age of six weeks old by a doctor’s careless treatment – we are able to see her wonderful perspective on God’s will for her life:

 

“‘It seemed intended by the blessed Providence of God that I should be blind all my life,’ she wrote in her delightful autobiography Fanny Crosby’s Life Story, ‘and I thank Him for the dispensation.’  The doctor who destroyed her sight never forgave himself and moved from the area, but Fanny Crosby held no ill will toward him.  ‘If I could meet him now,’ she wrote, ‘I would say ‘Thank you, thank you’ – over and over again – for making me blind.’  In fact, she claimed that if she could have her sight restored, she would not attempt it.  She felt that her blindness was God’s gift to her so that she could write songs for his glory.  ‘I could not have written thousands of hymns,’ she said, ‘if I had been hindered by the distractions of seeing all the interesting and beautiful objects that would have been presented to my notice.’”  

 

What an amazing testimony!  How often I flee from the difficult – seeking relief – desiring ease – rather than embracing what is allowed in order for God to make me into the image of His Son.  Filled and empowered by His Spirit, how much better to prefer our lives to be beautiful songs played for His glory than to delve into the pleasures of this world for such a short time.  It would do us well to remember this when we are tempted to kick against His way.  

“Somehow in the wonder-working providence of God, our worst problems become our best pulpits. God turns our tragedies into testimonies and our emergencies into evangelism. Our testimonies are forged and crafted in the trials of life, our pain has an evangelistic purpose, our problems become His pulpits, and the things that happen to us turn out for the furtherance of the gospel.”   Robert J. Morgan

“God always gives His very best to those who leave the choice with Him.”  Hudson Taylor

“How it pays to take one step at a time with God!”  Isobel Kuhn

What I glean from this:

• Jesus taught me through His words and example to submit to God’s will over my own – trusting it to be far better for me.  “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” —  1 Cor 2:9 (NIV)
• God has prepared good works in advance for me to do – it will do me well to walk in them in lieu of fighting against them.
• I must learn to embrace rather than flee from what He allows.

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June_08

SHARING BREAD

³⁹ Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”

Luke 22:39-40 (NIV)

While many perhaps think routine to be boring, there is something rather comforting to me regarding it.  I find it interesting that routine was a part of Jesus’ life too.  In our verses for today we find Him “as usual” on the Mount of Olives.  He would routinely retreat to a solitary place where He communed with His Father in prayer.  To be sure, Jesus was always about His Father’s work.  For the believer, there are certain spiritual disciplines that should be routine in our lives as well – the study of God’s Word and subsequent application of it, prayer, and Scripture memory are just a few “routines” that should be constants in the life of the child of God.  Scripture tells us:

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.   2 Tim 2:15 (NIV)

¹⁷ pray continually;   1 Thess 5:17 (NIV)

 

¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.   Psalms 119:11 (NIV)

 

Our attitudes, as believers in Jesus, should also be of a consistent nature.  Learning to discipline our emotions, choosing to keep our feelings in check is a mark of a mature Christian. We are to take a decisive action in “clothing ourselves” with the proper attitudes and attributes – always dressed appropriately for the King’s service.  Scripture gives us these following admonitions:

 

 ¹⁶ Be joyful always;   1 Thess 5:16 (NIV)

 

¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thess 5:18 (NIV)

 

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.          Col 3:12-14 (NIV)

 

Ridding ourselves of the attitudes of the old life equips us to “shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life” to our needy world.  This allows us to be winsome, compelling and approachable rather than someone others bolt away from.  Remember, we are to be leaving behind the “aroma of Christ” when we depart someone’s presence (ouch!):

 

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ⁷ You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.   Col 3:5-10 (NIV)

 

¹⁴ But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.   2 Cor 2:14 (NIV)

 

In our verses for today, Jesus also commands us to pray against falling into temptation.  We are to pray and to be on our guard against falling to the tempter’s wiles.  Whatever or whomever incites us to stumble and fall from the path God has ordained for us to follow we must flee from – it is never worth it.  We are not to make excuses in our heads and try to justify poor choices when our conscience is clearly shouting “Run!”, “Flee!”, “Don’t go there!” and “Don’t do it!”  “It” (whatever “it” is) is not harmless if it is outside of God’s will for your life.  We must be careful in not comparing ourselves to others in this either.  If God has shown us that it is wrong for us, it is wrong for us – no matter if it is acceptable for someone else.  We must keep our beady little eyes on our own paths – not on others!  The conscience is a wonderful gift from God – we are not to try and shrink it or become dull to its leading – it is there for our good. 

 

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.    Eph 6:10-18 (NIV)

 

What I glean from this:

 

• Being in God’s Word, praying and memorizing Scripture are spiritual disciplines that should be routine in my life.
• My attitude should be consistently joyful and thankful – clothing myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love.
• I must flee from anything that would incite me to stumble or fall.

 

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