Posted by Charlie on Jul 30, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Isaiah 60,61,62; John 1
For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
John 1:16–17
Observation/Application
How amazing to live in the age of grace! In Isaiah’s day the old agreement came down to obeying the law. They could not, and I would fail as miserably as they.
Under the new agreement, Jesus Christ is the embodiment of grace and truth. That means that my good standing with God is dependent on him, not on me. May the glory of that truth sink ever deeper into my heart.
Prayer
Father, thank you for grace and truth, which you have brought to me through Jesus Christ. Please let the depth and breadth of that reality come ever more into focus for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: Grace, truth
Posted by Charlie on Jul 20, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29–31; James 4
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6
Observation
Humility is such an elusive rascal. Just when I think I’m really walking humbly before God and man I find myself struggling with pride over my humility. It reminds me of the Church Chuckle cartoon from Leadership Journal years ago showing a pastor sitting in his chair, with a framed “Certificate of Humility” hanging over his desk….
Application
Right now I’m reading a book called Holiness, Truth, and the Presence of God, by Francis Frangipane. He makes the case that the pathway to holiness is through finding grace as I submit to God in humility. James, it would appear, agrees. I need all the grace I can get, especially as I take on a heaver ministry role at church. The last thing I want is to be moving pridefully in my own strength, only to find resistance from the very God I’m supposed to be serving.
Prayer
Father, I need you. Thank you for the gifts, skills, and aptitude you have granted me. I recognize them as gifts from your hand. Please empower your servant to be effective in the things at hand, and grant that I always walk in humility before you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: Grace, humility, pride
Posted by Charlie on Jul 13, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Isaiah 15,16,17,18; Hebrews 10
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:19–25
Observation
Hebrews 10 is about the actions of two individuals: God and me. God has already done his part by providing a complete cleansing of sin for me through the blood of Jesus, and laying out a full invitation to draw near. My part is choosing whether or not I heed the invitation, clear away the distractions, and draw near to him.
Application
A few details of this process are readily obvious from these verses. My drawing near needs to be done in full assurance of faith. I have to trust the provision of forgiveness and right standing with God Jesus has provided.
I need to keep confessing the truth about my hope—I have a future that is bright because God loves me and wants me to be with him forever. He isn’t going to be fickle or unfaithful. What he has done for me is settled forever.
I need to find the mutual encouragement of other believers, and be active with them in stirring up love and good works.
The really good news is that the work of settling my debt is already finished. I didn’t have to pay the penalty, Jesus did it for me, long before I could even ask.
Prayer
Father, thank you for settling my account and putting me in right standing with you forever. Today I turn to you and seek to draw near. Please let me find a deeper place with you today, and help me to live in humble closeness with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: Grace, humility, redemption
Posted by Charlie on Jul 12, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Isaiah 11,12,13,14; Hebrews 9
Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come; it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. All of them will answer and say to you: ‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!’ Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are laid as a bed beneath you, and worms are your covers.
Isaiah 14:9–11
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:27–28
Observation
Modern Christianity doesn’t seem to talk about judgment much. A lot of what floats around in the name of seeker sensitivity seems to focus on the feel-good components of spiritual reality and gloss over the more sobering aspects.
Isaiah and the author of Hebrews don’t pull any punches. The future king of Babylon is pictured at the time of his death, being transported from his pomp and splendor and welcomed to the realities of an eternity without God. It’s a gruesome image, and one people don’t like to talk or think about.
Application
Hebrews underscores the reality of a coming judgment. It also shines a beacon of hope based in the finished sacrifice of Christ—a tangible demonstration of the immense love of a God who actually wants to spend eternity with me. The reality of these eternal truths drives me to my knees. I want to know Him, and enter into the fullest possible place of relationship and rest he offers. I also want to guard myself from the possibility of missing the mark. Finishing well is a non-negotiable.
Prayer
Father, thank you for your amazing love and grace. Thank you for the hope you hold out in the Gospel through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Please grant that I might draw near to you and go deeper in my relationship with you. I seek you, not the gifts you might offer. You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: eternity, Grace, hope, judgment
Posted by Charlie on Jun 6, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1, 2, 3; Psalm 45; Ephesians 2
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:11
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Observation
There is a striking contrast between Solomon’s conclusion regarding the vanity of his labor and Paul’s declaration that God created us to do good works which he prepared for us beforehand. It is true that there is essentially nothing new under the sun. We might utilize different technology than Solomon, but the basic issues of life’s meaning and my individual purpose in life are the same as they have ever been.
Application
Too many people spend their years ascending the ladder of success only to discover that it has been leaning against the wrong wall. The only escape from the cry of, “Vanity!” at the end of my years will be to understand God’s heart and follow his leading in the areas of labor that will have eternal consequence.
Prayer
Father, thank you for the amazing salvation you have given me as a gift of grace. Please guide me and my household today as we seek to walk in the good works you have prepared for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: Grace, works
Posted by Charlie on May 3, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20
When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.
2 Samuel 7: 12–13, 16
Observation
There is a marvelous play on words in this passage. David says that he wants to build a house (bayit) for God, referring to a temple, and God responds by saying that David will not build a house for God, but God will build a house (bayit) for David, referring to David’s royal dynasty.
Application
This is so characteristic of God. In the same way God took the initiative to draw me and cover my iniquities even when I was his enemy. He is famous for his love and generosity toward those whose hearts are tender to him.
Prayer
Father, thank you for establishing an eternal throne through the line of David. Thanks for determining that all the world would be blessed through his Seed. Thank you for drawing me near and redeeming my life. I love you!
Tags: Grace
Posted by Charlie on Apr 20, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Samuel 23; Psalms 31, 54; Matthew 7
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 7:7–8
Observation
In the midst of the seemingly impossible expectations of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks these encouraging words. He lays out an invitation for God to supply the thing that is most important if I will just ask, seek, and knock.
Application
I find a lot of the attitude of the word of faith movement’s reading of this passage to be out of balance. If I place the emphasis of this passage on tapping into the blessings of heaven for my benefit, I end up focused in the wrong direction. The most important aspect of Jesus’ invitation to ask and receive is to realize that it is about knowing him, not about my access to a heavenly vending machine. If I’m just trying to find the right place to put my spiritual quarter so I can get whatever I want, I’ve missed the point completely.
If, on the other hand, I recognize that the prize is truly knowing Jesus, regardless of whatever else is going on in the world, I have confidence in asking, seeking, and knocking. Jesus himself said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for this invitation in Matthew 7 to ask, seek, and knock. I have a growing hunger in my heart to know you in a deeper way than I have before. I’m asking for the grace to press through the crowd today, whatever that represents (schedules, work, distractions, etc.) so I can touch the hem of your garment. Please meet with me I pray. Amen.
Tags: Grace, seeking
Posted by Charlie on Apr 18, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Samuel 20, 21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48
Observation
The Sermon on the Mount is one of those passages that is staggering to read. Jesus sets the bar so high that I can’t even begin to jump there. The consolation, of course, is couched in verse 17, where he says that he came to fulfill the law, which he did at Calvary.
Application
The holiness and perfection of God is reflected in these verses, and gives me a gold standard against which to compare my life, and assess my state of growth and maturity. Jesus doesn’t take any prisoners here. He burrows right down to the thoughts and intents of the heart as he reveals the mind of God in a number of truly challenging areas of thought and behavior. There is also great encouragement in these verses. He assures me in the Beatitudes that the person who seeks after God and his ways has reward.
Prayer
Father, thank you for revealing yourself in your Word. Please lead me into truth and teach me today. Grant that day by day the thoughts and intents of my heart would be under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and would be pleasing in your sight. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: Grace, holiness, perfect
Posted by Charlie on Mar 14, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Deuteronomy 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27; Galatians 4, 5
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Gal. 5:14
Observation
I recently had a conversation with a friend about the way Christians tend to cherry-pick from the Law of Moses, clinging to some pronouncements as valid for today, while conveniently ignoring others. The $64,000 question is, “How do we discern what is valid for our lives today from books such as Deuteronomy?” We say a hearty, “Amen!” to the laws regarding sexual immorality, for instance, but aren’t likely to cut off the hand of a woman who breaks up a fight by grabbing the attacker’s privates (Deut. 25:11–12).
Application
In Galatians Paul boldly declares that I have been set free from the bondage of the law (Gal. 5:1). That freedom, combined with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, is a gift from God so I might live out the fulfillment of the law, which Paul sums up in one sentence: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Is there value in reading Deuteronomy then? Absolutely! While some of the specific laws are foreign to my 21st century mind, the overriding principles found in the law never vary, and still apply to my day-by-day walk with God, as I follow the leading of his Spirit. God is concerned with justice and equity. He hates lying and dishonest scales. He has a design for my sexual expression that dates back to creation. He wants me to honor him first with all he entrusts to my stewardship.
All the “one anothers” outlined in scripture (love one another, be kind to one another, submit to one another, etc.) work together to fulfill the essence of the law. As I read Deuteronomy those are the things I’m hunting for.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for your love! As you live in my today grant that I would fulfill the law of love in all the relationships you have given me. Please empower me today to love well, and to apprehend your heart toward those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: Grace, law, principles
Posted by Charlie on Mar 12, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Deuteronomy 19, 20, 21; Galatians 3
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:26-29
Observation
In this passage Paul makes one of the boldest statements about equality in the history of mankind. Forget issues of gender, race, or social status—what Jesus accomplished on the cross puts us all on a level playing field.
Application
I don’t like it, but sometimes I find myself struggling with prejudices. It is natural to look at others who are different from yourself in a manner that diminishes them, but God does not see things that way. The playing field is level in God’s eyes, and needs to be in mine as well. Jefferson put it well when he said, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal….”
Prayer
Dear God, please be at work in my heart so that I consistently see people the way you see people. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: equality, Grace, prejudice
