Posted by Charlie on Oct 29, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Job 20; Mark 3, 4
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
Mark 4:30-32
Observation
I think in our post-modern America it is easy for us to fall prey to the feeling that the church is doomed to shrinking influence and marginalization. According to Jesus, however, the influence of the true kingdom of God has just the opposite effect. Instead of moving from a history of influence to marginalization, the true kingdom is like a mustard seed that gets planted and then grows in its reach and influence until it is rooted and sturdy.
Application
The real question, then, is what is necessary for the true seeds of God’s kingdom to take root? Often today’s Evangelical church falls into the trap of attempting to establish God’s reign in the world through kingdom-of-the-world kinds of methods, but that was never the way Jesus or the Apostles operated. Instead, the power of the gospel touched individual lives to the core, and the change that resulted left person after person forever changed. Out of that powerful influence of the transforming power of Christ the world was turned upside down.
The key is to live in a way that invites God’s presence and power on a daily basis. The gospel and the kingdom it represents have never changed, and still pack the power of a mustard seed for the transformation of the world.
Prayer
Father, please forgive my tendency to marginalize your place in my life day by day. I pray that you would grant me an undivided heart to follow you and the grace to abide in your presence at all times. Then I pray that my life would be the means of sowing much kingdom seed in the lives of the people I encounter. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: gospel, influence, kingdom, seed
Posted by Charlie on Oct 27, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27, 28
“Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
Acts 28:28
Observation
Upon his arrival in Rome, Paul called for the local Jewish leaders and spent a full day expounding from the Law of Moses and the prophets regarding faith in Jesus Christ. After some believed and some did not, Paul quoted Isaiah 6 saying that this people’s ears and eyes have grown dull, and then he makes the statement quoted above, “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
Application
First, I am forever grateful that God sent the message of salvation to the gentiles, because had he not, I would be a lost soul. But beyond that, Paul asserts that the gospel has been “sent” to the gentiles. The word in Greek is apostello, which speaks of something that is commissioned—specifically intended for someone. Paul is declaring that the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has been specifically appointed by God to be received by the entire world, and that has never changed. Not all will receive it, but the message has power and needs to be proclaimed clearly and respectfully.
Prayer
Father, please help me to see where you are at work today, and grant me the boldness to be an effective witness to the gospel. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: gentiles, gospel
Posted by Charlie on Mar 24, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Joshua 18, 19, 20; 1 Corinthians 9
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more…
1 Corinthians 9:19
Observation
In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul defends his apostleship and assures the Corinthians of his motives for serving among them. While it is appropriate for those who serve the church and preach the gospel to make their living from the gospel, Paul has reserved none of these rights for himself.
Paul then talks about the way he molds his life to match his audience so that they might understand the gospel. I think the key to this passage is in verse 19, where Paul says, “…I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more.” Paul doesn’t just throw caution to the wind and live the way the world does just so he can preach to the world. What he does is understand the context of the person he’s trying to reach and then he alters his approach so he serves that person’s best interest. It takes intentionality to pull that off in a genuine way, while staying close with Jesus in the process.
Application
My challenge is that most of my life is lived in a Christian bubble. Because I work either from home or my office at the church I can go days on end without interacting with a non-Christian unless I’m intentional about it. I confess I need to become better at understanding my post-modern neighbors. It’s going to take some work to be effective at Paul’s approach— “To my post-modern neighbors I became as a post-modern….”
Prayer
Father, you have placed people around me who don’t know you yet. Please help me to understand their world better and to be able to communicate truth to them in a way they can grasp. Please be at work in the hearts and lives of my neighbors and draw them to yourself. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: Evangelism, gospel, post-modernism, servant
Posted by Charlie on Feb 22, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Numbers 10, 11; Psalm 27; Mark 1
“Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
Mark 1:38
Observation
Mark sets the stage for the development of Jesus’ ministry in chapter 1 by painting a scene that is somewhat tragic. Because of his love for people, Jesus reaches out to relieve human brokenness. He casts out demons and heals the sick as he proclaims the message of the kingdom. But rather than a response of gratefulness and a desire for relationship with God, people mob him everywhere he goes, simply seeking the temporary benefits of healing he can provide. He is not able to settle in and teach in any one place for very long because the crowds just want the freebies, not the entrance of the kingdom. Jesus is repeatedly compelled to move on, hoping to find the few who will actually get it.
Application
When I think about God’s intention for sending his Son into the world it boils down to his unrelenting love for mankind. When Jesus began his ministry he proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (1:15) That gospel simply says that God desires his love to manifest itself in a relationship between him and the people he made. His highest aim is for people to want him—that they would be so wrapped up in relationship with him that he can share the depths of his heart with them for eternity, and he has cleared the way for that relationship through the sacrifice of his Son.
God is pleased to heal, deliver, and provide for his children. But I must never lose sight of the fact that he is my reason for living—he himself is my shield, my exceedingly great reward.
Prayer
Jesus, today I set aside all the cares, desires, and activities of my life, and I cry out for you. Thank you that the kingdom of God is at hand. Thank you that the way is open to really know you and to have your presence with me day by day. Please draw near to me today, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: deliverance, gospel, healing, kingdom, relationship
Posted by Charlie on Feb 6, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Leviticus 1, 2, 3; Acts 13
“And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Acts 13:11–12
Observation
In Mark 16 Jesus declares, “These signs will follow those who believe….” I have long pondered the question of what the normative role of signs and wonders should be in the proclamation of the gospel. Paul engaged in the use of signs and wonders at times in his communication of the good news about Jesus Christ, but not exclusively. In Salamis he struck Elymas the sorcerer blind, which provided a rather convincing spin to his words. Then, in Antioch in Pisidia, he stuck with a typical gospel presentation that was tailored for a primarily Jewish audience without the use of miracles. In tomorrow’s reading we will be back to signs and wonders.
Application
There are several things to think about here. In 2Cor. 12:12 Paul says, “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.” It is likely that Paul, due to his apostolic anointing, was able to walk in a greater-than-normative use of signs and wonders in his proclamation of the gospel. I think in situations such as Peter healing the lame man in Acts 3 and Paul striking Elymas blind in Acts 13 it is probable they had a word of knowledge from God that they simply acted on in faith. I doubt Paul’s actions in Acts 13 were something he dreamed up on his own and then asked God to perform.
On the other hand, this needs to be balanced with the declaration of Jesus, “These signs will follow those who believe…,” it is also likely that most of us walk in less-than-normative use of miracles than what God intends. I know that from my experience it seems safer not to “walk out on the ice” by believing or praying for a miracle because I don’t really have the faith to expect God to follow through. I’m sure there are times when the Holy Spirit prompts me to do something that I fail to do because I don’t recognize what’s happening and am just being dull of hearing.
Today I want to be more in tune with what the Father is doing in the world around me. God has not changed since the book of Acts. These signs still follow those who believe. I want to join God in his work today and will seek to have open ears and eyes.
Prayer
God, you change not! I know you are doing mighty works today, and you have greater things to accomplish in the world around me than I can even imagine. Open my eyes and ears today to see and hear what the Father is doing. Grant me closeness in my walk with you to instantly understand and obey the prompting of your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: gospel, miracles, signs
