Last night I was reading from James 3:
NIV)James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [18] Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
I've never really thought about the above verse as a discernment tool, but it really is. It gives the characteristics of that which comes from the Father. So if we are asking ourselves is something (an idea or decision) is from God, we can look at this list and start working down it, starting with purity.
Purity: Are there alterior motives? Are there components of this which Jesus would never do? Is there a clarity?
Peace-loving: Does this cause division or strife? Are you being vengeful in any way? Will someone be hurt in this situation?
Considerate: Are you looking at the impact to other people? Are you laying down your life for others?
Submissive: Are you under the Lord's authority in general in your life? Are you open to suggestions for betterment from others?
Full of Mercy and Good Fruit: What will the result bring? Will our love for the Lord be evident?
Impartial: Are you taking sides? Do you have a clear heart and mind about either option or choice?
Sincere: Are you being honest with God? Are you being honest with yourself? Do you desire to become more like the Lord?
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Love Abounding - Phil 1:9
This morning I am reading out of Philippians.
(NIV)Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, [10] so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ---to the glory and praise of God.
Its interesting that abounding love, overflowing love, an abundance of love, is connected with knowledge and depth of insight in our faith. The Greek word for knowledge is Epignosis - meaning precise and correct knowledge of things ethical and divine. Clearly here Paul is talking about divine things - namely a knowledge of God and His ways. Depth of insight is more correctly defined as discernment and perception.
So if we take this and simplify - Paul's prayer is that our love for God drives us to understand Him more and discern His ways so much that this overflows out of us. This enables us to understand what is best, choose that, and as a result live pure and blameless. Of course, much of the purity and blamelessness is the result of the atonement and being hidden in Christ, not something we attain through our own works. But this diving into God, through love will help us uncover this reality, and live as if its true, which it certainly is. As we pursue God, through love, our lives will be filled with the fruit of Christ's righteousness, which ultimately is our salvation and redemption, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.
I think also that Paul was talking about their love for one another as well, as in the next chapter Paul is encouraging unity through love and humility. Learning to lay down lives, care for one another, and pursue a life in Christ. That as we pursue God, a natural outflow from this is a love for one another, for we cannot become followers of Christ and not become like Him.
Amen Lord, let our love abound in knowledge and discernment so that we see the fruits of righteousness filling our lives.
(NIV)Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, [10] so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ---to the glory and praise of God.
Its interesting that abounding love, overflowing love, an abundance of love, is connected with knowledge and depth of insight in our faith. The Greek word for knowledge is Epignosis - meaning precise and correct knowledge of things ethical and divine. Clearly here Paul is talking about divine things - namely a knowledge of God and His ways. Depth of insight is more correctly defined as discernment and perception.
So if we take this and simplify - Paul's prayer is that our love for God drives us to understand Him more and discern His ways so much that this overflows out of us. This enables us to understand what is best, choose that, and as a result live pure and blameless. Of course, much of the purity and blamelessness is the result of the atonement and being hidden in Christ, not something we attain through our own works. But this diving into God, through love will help us uncover this reality, and live as if its true, which it certainly is. As we pursue God, through love, our lives will be filled with the fruit of Christ's righteousness, which ultimately is our salvation and redemption, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.
I think also that Paul was talking about their love for one another as well, as in the next chapter Paul is encouraging unity through love and humility. Learning to lay down lives, care for one another, and pursue a life in Christ. That as we pursue God, a natural outflow from this is a love for one another, for we cannot become followers of Christ and not become like Him.
Amen Lord, let our love abound in knowledge and discernment so that we see the fruits of righteousness filling our lives.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Living in Right Relationship
This morning I have been reading out of Romans 8, and meditating on my relwtioship with the Father.
(NIV)Romans 8:9-16
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. [10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. [12] Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation---but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. [13] For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. [14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Lord, I am claiming the promise and reality of verse 11, that You Holy Spirit are living in me, and that You will bring life to this mortal body. Lord, I desire to live in the fullness of this. I want to be led by You Holy Spirit, I want to receive Life from You. I want to live in a constant state of awareness of my spirit giving witness to my sonship.
Prior to reading these verse I was thinking about my desire to be an ordinary guy, who does extraordinary things for the Lord. Clearly there is nothing special about me, I am just a husband and a dad, not great at either, a brother, an employee, a neighbor, and a friend and like most men. Yet, I have been chosen by the Lord to be in relationship with Him, and its in this single fact that I have any real significance outside my small little sphere of relationships.
I am a son of the Most High, by His choosing, adopted into full sonship. That is an amazing thought! How can I live a normal life by earthly standards if this is the case?
My own perspective of my life is so out of whack with this reality. I normally come to the Lord, with a wondering, hoping, but not confident attitude. I hope that He might take notice of me, and possibly look with favor on me, and maybe just this once answer my prayer.
That is completely wrong if the previously stated relationship is true. I have been chosen by God, and loved so much that He has adopted me, and given me full rights in His family. Lord, I desire to be led by You into the fullness of this truth, in my life.
Lord, that we all might grasp this reality and live within Your means - not ours. Lord, wash me clean of my old mind-set and cement in my consciousness this new identity, that I might live like I truly am Your adopted child.
(NIV)Romans 8:9-16
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. [10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. [12] Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation---but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. [13] For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. [14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Lord, I am claiming the promise and reality of verse 11, that You Holy Spirit are living in me, and that You will bring life to this mortal body. Lord, I desire to live in the fullness of this. I want to be led by You Holy Spirit, I want to receive Life from You. I want to live in a constant state of awareness of my spirit giving witness to my sonship.
Prior to reading these verse I was thinking about my desire to be an ordinary guy, who does extraordinary things for the Lord. Clearly there is nothing special about me, I am just a husband and a dad, not great at either, a brother, an employee, a neighbor, and a friend and like most men. Yet, I have been chosen by the Lord to be in relationship with Him, and its in this single fact that I have any real significance outside my small little sphere of relationships.
I am a son of the Most High, by His choosing, adopted into full sonship. That is an amazing thought! How can I live a normal life by earthly standards if this is the case?
My own perspective of my life is so out of whack with this reality. I normally come to the Lord, with a wondering, hoping, but not confident attitude. I hope that He might take notice of me, and possibly look with favor on me, and maybe just this once answer my prayer.
That is completely wrong if the previously stated relationship is true. I have been chosen by God, and loved so much that He has adopted me, and given me full rights in His family. Lord, I desire to be led by You into the fullness of this truth, in my life.
Lord, that we all might grasp this reality and live within Your means - not ours. Lord, wash me clean of my old mind-set and cement in my consciousness this new identity, that I might live like I truly am Your adopted child.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Returning to the Lord
This morning I was reading out of the Letter of James and reminded of the mercy available to us all.
(NIV)James 4:4-10
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us ? [6] But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
[7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
(NIV)Isaiah 55:6-7
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."
As I was just thinking about the stain of the world, I thought its probably more like mold, a tiny spore of which comes and settles on one piece of bread, and in the right atmosphere starts to reproduce, generally starting on the outside and working its way inside, until it ruins the whole piece. In the same way, a small bit of compromise, or desire for something outside of God's will can result in death in our spirits. James says it this way: (NIV)James 1:14-15..."but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
Lord, help me to look at my life and clear away anything that is not of You. I desire to come near to You. I thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy and invitation to return to You.
(NIV)James 4:4-10
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us ? [6] But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
[7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
(NIV)Isaiah 55:6-7
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."
As I was just thinking about the stain of the world, I thought its probably more like mold, a tiny spore of which comes and settles on one piece of bread, and in the right atmosphere starts to reproduce, generally starting on the outside and working its way inside, until it ruins the whole piece. In the same way, a small bit of compromise, or desire for something outside of God's will can result in death in our spirits. James says it this way: (NIV)James 1:14-15..."but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
Lord, help me to look at my life and clear away anything that is not of You. I desire to come near to You. I thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy and invitation to return to You.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
John 17:26 and Mountain Climbing
This morning I am reading out of John 17:
(NIV)John 17:25-26
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. [26] I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
What an incredible statement, that Jesus has made the Father known to us, so that His love for Jesus might be in us. I once heard someone say the Holy Spirit is the physical embodiment of the Love of the Father and Son for each other, and this verse reminds me of that. We are filled with the Holy Spirit when we come into relationship with Jesus and through Him, the Father, so this makes sense in some ways.
It is far beyond my puny human mnd to comprehend the fullness of these two verses, but nonetheless they are greatly encouraging. Jesus himself is in us. The Father's love for Jesus is in us. So when the Father looks at me, He sees Jesus and His love for His son. Wow!
Source: http://www.everestnews.com/Summitclimb2005/sherpatrainingpict11052005.htm
As I was meditating on this verse, I found myself thinking about mountain climbers, scaling a steep and perilous snow covered mountain. I was thinking about the fact that they are roped together and how dangerous this can be. If the person on the end slips and starts sliding down the slope, they can endanger the others that are roped together, the worst case being that they are all pulled off balance and fall together.
I could see in my minds eye, the struggle to stop the slide, and if by chance they stop, the terrible decisions that might need to be made, especially if the person at the end is dangling from the rope, endangering the rest. I imagined if it was me and my three brothers, knowing the love we have for each other, how terrible it would be to decide what to do. I found myself thinking that if I was the one dangling off the edge, endangering my brothers, I would cut the rope myself, but if I was the third in line and it was one of my other brothers dangling over the edge, I could never cut them loose.
As I found myself thinking about all this, I came back to my present mind, and wondered why I would be led to think these thoughts, for they are clearly not my normal early morning thoughts. Then I realized that I am tied in with the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. My relationship with them, is as real as my relationship with my brothers, through blood, Jesus' blood. The main difference is that I will never endanger them in my slips and falls, and they will never cut my rope. They are completely faithful, all powerful, full of patience, and full of Love - in fact they are Love.
When I slip and fall the Father looks down, sees His Son and His Love in me, grabs the rope and gives a mighty pull, and saves me! Now that is an image I can hold onto in my daily walk and the struggles I encounter. Thank You Lord for Your awesome love and faithfulness.
(NIV)John 17:25-26
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. [26] I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
What an incredible statement, that Jesus has made the Father known to us, so that His love for Jesus might be in us. I once heard someone say the Holy Spirit is the physical embodiment of the Love of the Father and Son for each other, and this verse reminds me of that. We are filled with the Holy Spirit when we come into relationship with Jesus and through Him, the Father, so this makes sense in some ways.
It is far beyond my puny human mnd to comprehend the fullness of these two verses, but nonetheless they are greatly encouraging. Jesus himself is in us. The Father's love for Jesus is in us. So when the Father looks at me, He sees Jesus and His love for His son. Wow!
As I was meditating on this verse, I found myself thinking about mountain climbers, scaling a steep and perilous snow covered mountain. I was thinking about the fact that they are roped together and how dangerous this can be. If the person on the end slips and starts sliding down the slope, they can endanger the others that are roped together, the worst case being that they are all pulled off balance and fall together.
I could see in my minds eye, the struggle to stop the slide, and if by chance they stop, the terrible decisions that might need to be made, especially if the person at the end is dangling from the rope, endangering the rest. I imagined if it was me and my three brothers, knowing the love we have for each other, how terrible it would be to decide what to do. I found myself thinking that if I was the one dangling off the edge, endangering my brothers, I would cut the rope myself, but if I was the third in line and it was one of my other brothers dangling over the edge, I could never cut them loose.
As I found myself thinking about all this, I came back to my present mind, and wondered why I would be led to think these thoughts, for they are clearly not my normal early morning thoughts. Then I realized that I am tied in with the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. My relationship with them, is as real as my relationship with my brothers, through blood, Jesus' blood. The main difference is that I will never endanger them in my slips and falls, and they will never cut my rope. They are completely faithful, all powerful, full of patience, and full of Love - in fact they are Love.
When I slip and fall the Father looks down, sees His Son and His Love in me, grabs the rope and gives a mighty pull, and saves me! Now that is an image I can hold onto in my daily walk and the struggles I encounter. Thank You Lord for Your awesome love and faithfulness.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Focused on the Wrong Thing
I was reading John 5 this morning and continuing to reflect the following verses:
(NIV)John 5:5-12
One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. [6] When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
[7] “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” [8] Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” [9] At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, [10] and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” [11] But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ” [12] So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”
I was thinking this morning about the Jewish leaders who totally missed the fact that this man was healed and were more concerned with the fact that he was carrying his mat on the Sabbath. Even after he told them he had been healed, their only concern was that he was breaking the law, and someone had told him to break it.
Talk about missing the forest for the trees! Here in their midst a man had been healed, who was an invalid for 38 years. This was probably the first time he could carry his mat in all those years, and the Jewish leaders are more concerned about this specific religious observance then the fact that he was healed. The religious spirit was so strong in them that they were blinded to the miracle that happened right in front of them. I find myself thinking, how could they possibly miss something so significant!
I also find myself wondering how man times have I missed the move of God, because it didn't happen the way I thought it should? Maybe it didn't happen at my church, or maybe it happened at a place that I didn't agree with theologically, or maybe I missed it because I was too busy or too tired. Maybe I missed what the Lord was doing in my life or the lives of those around me because I was too focused on some little issue that was mostly irrelavent.
Lord, I pray that You will help me to recognize Your movement around me so that I might see You at work. Help me to step beyond the rules, the ways that I think it should work, so that I might see You moving in our midst.
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Way
Last night I was reading out of Acts and cme across the fact that the early church named themselves the Way. (NIV)Acts 9:2 .."and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem."
It was named such in several verses, and I thought it was significant that this was really the first name the church had, and that it was well known. The word in Greek is Hodos hod-os'
Definition 1. properly a. a way 1. a travelled way, road b. a travellers way, journey, travelling 2. metaph. a. a course of conduct b. a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding
Translated Words KJV (102) - highway, 3; journey, 6; misc, 2; way, 83; way side, 8;
NAS (100) - highways, 2; journey, 7; path, 1; paths, 1; road, 24; roads, 1; streets, 1; way, 54; ways, 9;
It was clear that this name was widely recognized, as even the Governor of the province Felix was well acquainted with the name (Acts 24:22). David Guzik writes this:
e. If he found any who were of the Way: Here, Christianity is referred to as the Way. This seems to be the earliest "name" for the Christian movement, and a fitting one -used five times in Acts.
i. The name the Way means that Christianity is more than a belief or a set of opinions or doctrines. Following Jesus is a way of living as well as believing.
Guzik's a last statement is so important to grasp. Our following the Lord, must not just be about our beliefs, but about our actions as well. We cannot be Christians in name and 'belief' without it affecting our action. To think any different is to be deceived.
In the letter of James, he speaks of our faith and actions as being tightly bound. In fact, his premise is that if we don't have the actions to back up our statement of faith, then that faith really doesn't exist - see (NIV)James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Lord, help us to live out our beliefs!
It was named such in several verses, and I thought it was significant that this was really the first name the church had, and that it was well known. The word in Greek is Hodos hod-os'
Definition 1. properly a. a way 1. a travelled way, road b. a travellers way, journey, travelling 2. metaph. a. a course of conduct b. a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding
Translated Words KJV (102) - highway, 3; journey, 6; misc, 2; way, 83; way side, 8;
NAS (100) - highways, 2; journey, 7; path, 1; paths, 1; road, 24; roads, 1; streets, 1; way, 54; ways, 9;
It was clear that this name was widely recognized, as even the Governor of the province Felix was well acquainted with the name (Acts 24:22). David Guzik writes this:
e. If he found any who were of the Way: Here, Christianity is referred to as the Way. This seems to be the earliest "name" for the Christian movement, and a fitting one -used five times in Acts.
i. The name the Way means that Christianity is more than a belief or a set of opinions or doctrines. Following Jesus is a way of living as well as believing.
Guzik's a last statement is so important to grasp. Our following the Lord, must not just be about our beliefs, but about our actions as well. We cannot be Christians in name and 'belief' without it affecting our action. To think any different is to be deceived.
In the letter of James, he speaks of our faith and actions as being tightly bound. In fact, his premise is that if we don't have the actions to back up our statement of faith, then that faith really doesn't exist - see (NIV)James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
Lord, help us to live out our beliefs!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Life in the Early Church
(NIV)Acts 2:38-39, 42-47
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off---for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
[42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
As I am reading these few verses a few things occur to me:
1. Repentance, Baptism and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit were understood to be all related and the natural occurance of turning to Jesus. We have separated them, in large part, and even minimalized the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in the church today. This was the power of the church, that changed them from frightened people in the upper room to burning healing evangelists.
2. The communal gatherings, breaking of the bread, listening to the teachings of Jesus and prayer that the church immediately adopted was actually the pattern of the apostles life with Jesus, now encompassing all the believers. This wasn't just a quick response to a major influx, but rather the life style they had been living for the last few years.
3. There had to have been small group dynamics, and the small groups had to have been relatively natural, as they gathered in each others homes, had fellowship - which means intimate relationships - and they knew about one another's needs and helped each other out. Such a different mindset then what we generally see today, here in our western culture, where we all live individual lives.
4. Miraculous signs and wonders were a part of the life of the church. This wasn't some sort of initial get the ball rolling anointing, but rather a continued sign of the new Kingdom, Jesus Lordship, and the real demonstration of both.
5. They met together every day, there was such a desire for the Lord's life, they were willing to lay other other things down and make room for a change in their life style. Chapter 3 shows that they probably met in the late afternoon as Peter and John were arriving in the temple courts around 3pm, and that was where they gathered together.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off---for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
[42] They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. [44] All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. [46] Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, [47] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
As I am reading these few verses a few things occur to me:
1. Repentance, Baptism and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit were understood to be all related and the natural occurance of turning to Jesus. We have separated them, in large part, and even minimalized the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in the church today. This was the power of the church, that changed them from frightened people in the upper room to burning healing evangelists.
2. The communal gatherings, breaking of the bread, listening to the teachings of Jesus and prayer that the church immediately adopted was actually the pattern of the apostles life with Jesus, now encompassing all the believers. This wasn't just a quick response to a major influx, but rather the life style they had been living for the last few years.
3. There had to have been small group dynamics, and the small groups had to have been relatively natural, as they gathered in each others homes, had fellowship - which means intimate relationships - and they knew about one another's needs and helped each other out. Such a different mindset then what we generally see today, here in our western culture, where we all live individual lives.
4. Miraculous signs and wonders were a part of the life of the church. This wasn't some sort of initial get the ball rolling anointing, but rather a continued sign of the new Kingdom, Jesus Lordship, and the real demonstration of both.
5. They met together every day, there was such a desire for the Lord's life, they were willing to lay other other things down and make room for a change in their life style. Chapter 3 shows that they probably met in the late afternoon as Peter and John were arriving in the temple courts around 3pm, and that was where they gathered together.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
A Bridge to Heaven
This morning I was reading out of Psalm 57:
(NIV)Psalm 57:7-11
My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. [8] Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. [9] I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. [10] For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. [11] Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Two things I like about those few verses from Psalm 57: First the idea of a steadfast heart. It seems that keeping my heart steady and holding fast to my love for God is a difficult thing. There are so many competing things in all our lives, its difficult to remain single focused, and constant. But what a great prayer to pray, that my heart might be steadfast in my affection for God.
Secondly, the picture of God's love and faithfulness extending to the heavens and skies. Earlier in the Psalm (verse 3) it says that God sends His Love and Faithfulness to earth, when He saves us. So we have a picture of Love and faithfulness coming down from heaven, and reaching from the earth back up to the heavens. In my mind I see a connection, almost a bridge of the Love and Faithfulness of God from heaven to earth and all of us.
Clearly this bridge is Jesus, the Love and faithfulness of God incarnate. He, because of His love for us, came down from Heaven (verse 3), saved us from our enemy, and established forever a relationship with the Father. This is not some mythical bridge that exists, like in the movie Thor, but a very real and eternal connection, established through Jesus' sacrifice. Lord, help me to experience the reality of this relationship, this connection with You more and more every day.
(NIV)Psalm 57:7-11
My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. [8] Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. [9] I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. [10] For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. [11] Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Two things I like about those few verses from Psalm 57: First the idea of a steadfast heart. It seems that keeping my heart steady and holding fast to my love for God is a difficult thing. There are so many competing things in all our lives, its difficult to remain single focused, and constant. But what a great prayer to pray, that my heart might be steadfast in my affection for God.
Secondly, the picture of God's love and faithfulness extending to the heavens and skies. Earlier in the Psalm (verse 3) it says that God sends His Love and Faithfulness to earth, when He saves us. So we have a picture of Love and faithfulness coming down from heaven, and reaching from the earth back up to the heavens. In my mind I see a connection, almost a bridge of the Love and Faithfulness of God from heaven to earth and all of us.
Clearly this bridge is Jesus, the Love and faithfulness of God incarnate. He, because of His love for us, came down from Heaven (verse 3), saved us from our enemy, and established forever a relationship with the Father. This is not some mythical bridge that exists, like in the movie Thor, but a very real and eternal connection, established through Jesus' sacrifice. Lord, help me to experience the reality of this relationship, this connection with You more and more every day.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Our True Treasure
Yesterday I was reading in Matthew the parable about the talents and had an interesting insight.
(NIV)Matthew 25:14-30
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. [15] To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. [16] The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. [17] So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. [18] But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. [19] “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. [20] The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ [21] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ [22] “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ [23] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ [24] “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. [25] So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ [26] “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? [27] Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. [28] “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. [29] For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. [30] And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
I was reading this verse while thinking about my relationship with God and sharing that relationship with others. I realized that this verse can be applied to our sharing our faith, and relationship with the Lord. In fact the word that has been translated Wealth in verse 14, actually means to be under one with power, in other words in relationship with the King. His wealth is relationship with Him! Other translations call the man going away a King, and this is clear reference to God, as Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of God.
So if I were to put this parable in my words, God is giving us his Wealth, through our relationships with Him. It is our call to go out an multiply that gift by sharing with others about who God is and His love for them. If we keep this treasure hidden this not received well by the King.
Lord, help us to share with all our treasure - our relationship with You.
(NIV)Matthew 25:14-30
“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. [15] To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. [16] The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. [17] So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. [18] But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. [19] “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. [20] The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ [21] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ [22] “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ [23] “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ [24] “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. [25] So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ [26] “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? [27] Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. [28] “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. [29] For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. [30] And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
I was reading this verse while thinking about my relationship with God and sharing that relationship with others. I realized that this verse can be applied to our sharing our faith, and relationship with the Lord. In fact the word that has been translated Wealth in verse 14, actually means to be under one with power, in other words in relationship with the King. His wealth is relationship with Him! Other translations call the man going away a King, and this is clear reference to God, as Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of God.
So if I were to put this parable in my words, God is giving us his Wealth, through our relationships with Him. It is our call to go out an multiply that gift by sharing with others about who God is and His love for them. If we keep this treasure hidden this not received well by the King.
Lord, help us to share with all our treasure - our relationship with You.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Meditations on the Woman and Jesus' Robe
This morning I am meditating on the women who was healed by touching Jesus' robe.
(NIV)Mark 5:25-34
And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. [26] She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. [27] When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, [28] because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” [29] Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. [30] At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” [31] “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” [32] But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. [33] Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. [34] He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
I am conscious of several things:
1. This story is included in Matthew, Mark and Luke so it was quite a significant miracle in Jesus ministry.
2. This is an excellent example of the gift of faith - she knew in her heart that she would be healed by a simple act
3. This shows the Father's heart for those that are sick - the thought about touching Jesus cloak had to come from Him
4. This event shows that Jesus was only operating as a man, for He was not aware of the women's need before she touched his robe, He didn't know who she was after she touched Him, and He didn't know her condition. If He was operating as God, He would have known all three things.
5. There is a real felt power when the Holy Spirit moves through you (sometimes). This is not just in their minds, but there was an actual transfer of power which Jesus felt, and so did the woman.
6. This event led to a whole new type of ministry interaction, the touching of fabric, and imbuing it with power to heal - (NIV)Acts 19:11-12
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, [12] so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
7. Jesus demonstrated many different techniques when healing people, and those techniques were examples and were later developed more so by the Holy Spirit working through the Apostles. He healed people without ever touching them ( Centurion's servant, Caananite woman's daughter) as well as through touching His robe, or touching them with His hands. He was operating in the Holy Spirit and aware of how the Holy Spirit was able to operate, not being limited by such a simple thing as physical touch.
8. Following this miracle in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus sends out the Apostles and gives them authority and power to heal every disease. In other words, He imparted to them the Holy Spirit that might be able to do the same works as He demonstrated. We have received this very same Holy Spirit. See (NIV)Acts 10:44-47: While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, [47] “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” Here Peter made no distinction between what He had received at Pentecost, and what these Gentiles had received.
Lord, help us hear Your words to us and being encouraged and full of the Holy Spirit, guide us to do these same things!
(NIV)Mark 5:25-34
And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. [26] She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. [27] When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, [28] because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” [29] Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. [30] At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” [31] “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” [32] But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. [33] Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. [34] He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
I am conscious of several things:
1. This story is included in Matthew, Mark and Luke so it was quite a significant miracle in Jesus ministry.
2. This is an excellent example of the gift of faith - she knew in her heart that she would be healed by a simple act
3. This shows the Father's heart for those that are sick - the thought about touching Jesus cloak had to come from Him
4. This event shows that Jesus was only operating as a man, for He was not aware of the women's need before she touched his robe, He didn't know who she was after she touched Him, and He didn't know her condition. If He was operating as God, He would have known all three things.
5. There is a real felt power when the Holy Spirit moves through you (sometimes). This is not just in their minds, but there was an actual transfer of power which Jesus felt, and so did the woman.
6. This event led to a whole new type of ministry interaction, the touching of fabric, and imbuing it with power to heal - (NIV)Acts 19:11-12
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, [12] so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
7. Jesus demonstrated many different techniques when healing people, and those techniques were examples and were later developed more so by the Holy Spirit working through the Apostles. He healed people without ever touching them ( Centurion's servant, Caananite woman's daughter) as well as through touching His robe, or touching them with His hands. He was operating in the Holy Spirit and aware of how the Holy Spirit was able to operate, not being limited by such a simple thing as physical touch.
8. Following this miracle in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus sends out the Apostles and gives them authority and power to heal every disease. In other words, He imparted to them the Holy Spirit that might be able to do the same works as He demonstrated. We have received this very same Holy Spirit. See (NIV)Acts 10:44-47: While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, [47] “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” Here Peter made no distinction between what He had received at Pentecost, and what these Gentiles had received.
Lord, help us hear Your words to us and being encouraged and full of the Holy Spirit, guide us to do these same things!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Our Foolish Ways
Continuing my thoughts from yesterday, this verse seems to fit well:
(NIV)Proverbs 28:26
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Its interesting the Hebrew word translated here as fools, can also be translated as arrogant ones. There is so much truth here, that in our thinking we have the answers, that we know enough about what's happening all around us, that we somehow can grasp all that and make right decisions is foolish and at the same time supremely arrogant.
I like this translation - (NASB)Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
The previous translation says 'themselves' here its translated as 'his own heart' which appears closer to the meaning of the Hebrew. The Hebrew word is Leb which translates as follows:
1. inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
a. inner part, midst
1. midst (of things)
2. heart (of man)
3. soul, heart (of man)
4. mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
5. inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
6. conscience
7. heart (of moral character)
8. as seat of appetites
9. as seat of emotions and passions
In other words pretty much all of who we are internally, our thoughts, emotions, conscience, etc.
The second sentence of this verse, points us to the right answer - seeking wisdom externally, from one who can save, redeem and deliver us. We must turn to someone who is greater, with clearer vision, with more understanding, with purer judgement, for our own perspective and understanding is limited. It is in recognizing our need for a different perspective, that opens us up and allows wisdom to be shown, and deliverance to be realized. The Greek word used here is Sozo - meaning saved, body mind and spirit, and healed (quick translation)!
Lod, help me to recognize my need for You, seeing my own inability to fully grasp all and win my own deliverance. I confess my own limitations and lack, and choose to walk in Your wisdom, in Your presence, in relationship with You
(NIV)Proverbs 28:26
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Its interesting the Hebrew word translated here as fools, can also be translated as arrogant ones. There is so much truth here, that in our thinking we have the answers, that we know enough about what's happening all around us, that we somehow can grasp all that and make right decisions is foolish and at the same time supremely arrogant.
I like this translation - (NASB)Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.
The previous translation says 'themselves' here its translated as 'his own heart' which appears closer to the meaning of the Hebrew. The Hebrew word is Leb which translates as follows:
1. inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
a. inner part, midst
1. midst (of things)
2. heart (of man)
3. soul, heart (of man)
4. mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
5. inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
6. conscience
7. heart (of moral character)
8. as seat of appetites
9. as seat of emotions and passions
In other words pretty much all of who we are internally, our thoughts, emotions, conscience, etc.
The second sentence of this verse, points us to the right answer - seeking wisdom externally, from one who can save, redeem and deliver us. We must turn to someone who is greater, with clearer vision, with more understanding, with purer judgement, for our own perspective and understanding is limited. It is in recognizing our need for a different perspective, that opens us up and allows wisdom to be shown, and deliverance to be realized. The Greek word used here is Sozo - meaning saved, body mind and spirit, and healed (quick translation)!
Lod, help me to recognize my need for You, seeing my own inability to fully grasp all and win my own deliverance. I confess my own limitations and lack, and choose to walk in Your wisdom, in Your presence, in relationship with You
Thursday, August 2, 2012
My Words and Meditations
(NIV)Psalm 19:12-14
"But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. [13] Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. [14] May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
I was reading through Psalm 19 this morning and was meditating on verse 14. However, verse 14 really needs to be understood in the light of the prayer David had prayed in verses 12 and 13. I really like his prayer in verse 12, recognizing that there are things in him that he isn't even aware of that might be sinful, might be faults in the Lord's eyes. I think this is true of all of us. The more we pursue God, the closer we get to Him, the more we see our selves and recognize our faults. This is not bad, but rather something we should be grateful for, as we are becoming like him. In my reading of the saints of old, this is a very common theme. Here are some of the holiest, most Christlike people on the earth, and they still see that compared to God, they are sinful people. I don't think of this as a negative introspective perspective, rather as a sober recognition of our need for God. We will never, on this side of heaven, achieve the perfection of Jesus, but we should never stop pursuing Him and allowing ourselves to be changed into His likeness.
In verse 13, David is praying against the sin of pride. The Hebrew word here translated willful, is actually better translated arrogant, proud, insolent, or presumptuous, all of which speak of a prideful heart attitude. His prayer to be kept from these types of sin, and specifically that they might not rule over him or have control of him is so important. He is basically praying that he would not become self reliant and convinced of his own abilities to deliver himself. He recognizes his own proclivity toward pride, and sees how this could wreck his life and lead him into serious sin (I am thinking Bathsheba here) and is asking for God's help. Again, a very revealing prayer, and so true. I know I certainly tend to believe in my own abilities, and can forget to turn to God for direction and guidance.
Finally, David is laying his thoughts and words before the Lord. That is one scary step - to ask the Lord to view our thoughts and words, to see if they are pleasing to Him. Of course this prayer follows the other two verses, which is not as scary, as David has been praying in humility and transparency. Still a very good prayer to keep before ourselves throughout the day - are my words and thoughts pleasing to God?
Finally, the recognition of his need for a Rock, and Redeemer. God is both - one who is always present and never changing, and one who will intervene on our behalf and rescue us. In Jesus, we have both! He lives forever, seated at the right hand of the Father, interceedng on our behalf!
(NIV)Romans 8:34
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Amen!
"But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. [13] Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. [14] May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
I was reading through Psalm 19 this morning and was meditating on verse 14. However, verse 14 really needs to be understood in the light of the prayer David had prayed in verses 12 and 13. I really like his prayer in verse 12, recognizing that there are things in him that he isn't even aware of that might be sinful, might be faults in the Lord's eyes. I think this is true of all of us. The more we pursue God, the closer we get to Him, the more we see our selves and recognize our faults. This is not bad, but rather something we should be grateful for, as we are becoming like him. In my reading of the saints of old, this is a very common theme. Here are some of the holiest, most Christlike people on the earth, and they still see that compared to God, they are sinful people. I don't think of this as a negative introspective perspective, rather as a sober recognition of our need for God. We will never, on this side of heaven, achieve the perfection of Jesus, but we should never stop pursuing Him and allowing ourselves to be changed into His likeness.
In verse 13, David is praying against the sin of pride. The Hebrew word here translated willful, is actually better translated arrogant, proud, insolent, or presumptuous, all of which speak of a prideful heart attitude. His prayer to be kept from these types of sin, and specifically that they might not rule over him or have control of him is so important. He is basically praying that he would not become self reliant and convinced of his own abilities to deliver himself. He recognizes his own proclivity toward pride, and sees how this could wreck his life and lead him into serious sin (I am thinking Bathsheba here) and is asking for God's help. Again, a very revealing prayer, and so true. I know I certainly tend to believe in my own abilities, and can forget to turn to God for direction and guidance.
Finally, David is laying his thoughts and words before the Lord. That is one scary step - to ask the Lord to view our thoughts and words, to see if they are pleasing to Him. Of course this prayer follows the other two verses, which is not as scary, as David has been praying in humility and transparency. Still a very good prayer to keep before ourselves throughout the day - are my words and thoughts pleasing to God?
Finally, the recognition of his need for a Rock, and Redeemer. God is both - one who is always present and never changing, and one who will intervene on our behalf and rescue us. In Jesus, we have both! He lives forever, seated at the right hand of the Father, interceedng on our behalf!
(NIV)Romans 8:34
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Amen!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Bread That Satisfies
(NIV)John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
As I was reading this, I was thinking about how so many of us hunger and thirst for things that are not of God. Jesus is clearing speaking about the condition of our souls, not our stomachs. All of us have a longing in our souls, and many of us don't know how to fill it, and many of us aren't even aware of this deep need and emptiness. In this condition, we fill ourselves with lesser things, but they don't really satisfy, they don't really still our hunger or thirst. Its like drinking salty water or eating empty calories, it only increases our hunger and thirst. Whether its music, movies, TV, social media, food or some other thing, anything that is not the Lord will only satisfy us for a short time and leave us wanting more, needing more. Even those of us who know God, can end up filling our life's with other things, rather than the one thing that truly satisfies - Jesus.
Lord, help us to recognize both our need and Your ability to fill that need. You truly are the Bread of Life!
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
As I was reading this, I was thinking about how so many of us hunger and thirst for things that are not of God. Jesus is clearing speaking about the condition of our souls, not our stomachs. All of us have a longing in our souls, and many of us don't know how to fill it, and many of us aren't even aware of this deep need and emptiness. In this condition, we fill ourselves with lesser things, but they don't really satisfy, they don't really still our hunger or thirst. Its like drinking salty water or eating empty calories, it only increases our hunger and thirst. Whether its music, movies, TV, social media, food or some other thing, anything that is not the Lord will only satisfy us for a short time and leave us wanting more, needing more. Even those of us who know God, can end up filling our life's with other things, rather than the one thing that truly satisfies - Jesus.
Lord, help us to recognize both our need and Your ability to fill that need. You truly are the Bread of Life!
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