Posted by Charlie on Nov 3, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Job 25, Mark 13, 14
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.
Mark 14:61-64
Observation
The high priest went into the kangaroo court in Mark 14 with the preconceived idea that Jesus was something other than who he was, which was honestly becoming obvious the more his ministry progressed. Really, the high priest was just fishing for any excuse to condemn Jesus. Finally he asked Jesus straight out if he was the Christ, the son of the Blessed, to which Jesus replied that he was. As Jaco Pastorius once observed, “It ain’t bragging if you can back it up.”
Application
Jesus is still who he says he is—the Christ and the son of the Blessed One. Many today marginalize Jesus, and as his follower I have to decide how I’ll respond to those who do. Peter buckled, but later went on to be a dynamic witness to the risen Christ. Day by day I have the choice of how I will represent Jesus to the world, especially to those who scoff.
Prayer
Father, please fill me with your Holy Spirit today, and grant that I might be a powerful witness to the reality of the risen Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: boldness, truth, witness
Posted by Charlie on Aug 28, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Ezekiel 1, 2, 3; Revelation 2
And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions. Be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.
Ezekiel 2:6
Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
Rev 2:10
Observation
It seems like a bit of an oxymoron to face suffering and not fear it, but that is what God says to both Ezekiel and, in Revelation 2, to the church in Smyrna.
Application
We live in such uncertain times, and there is plenty in the world to fear. Because I belong to God, however, and because I know where I am headed, and that nothing can separate me from his love, it lends a perspective to hardship and suffering that the world cannot offer. God loves me perfectly, and perfect love casts out all fear.
Bonus thought from today’s reading in Revelation
There are a lot of things that vary from culture to culture that are permissible under the gospel, but deviation from God’s design for human sexuality is not one of them. In Revelation 2, both the churches in Pergamum and Thyatira were sternly rebuked for allowing sexual immorality into their midst, and told to repent.
Prayer
Father, please grant me the courage to boldly live for you without apology, and to do it with wisdom and winsomeness. I guess what I’m asking is to look a bit more like Jesus every day. Amen
Tags: boldness, confidence, fear, love, sexual immorality
Posted by Charlie on Feb 18, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Numbers 3, 4; Acts 25
“I appeal to Caesar.”
Acts 25:11
Observation
I can never read this passage without considering the fact that the Caesar Paul appealed to was Nero.
Application
Jesus commissioned Paul to bear witness for him in Rome in Acts 23:11. It didn’t matter that the emperor was one of the most despicable and unpredictable men in history. Paul went and gave witness.
I have been called to be a witness too. I probably won’t have to stand before a Nero this week, but this helps me remember that God is bigger than anyone I will encounter.
Prayer
Jesus, who do you want me to be a witness to this week? Please grant me the opportunity to share your life with someone. Amen
Tags: boldness, witness
