defensive posture

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-6

devotional post # 2069

Luke 22:39-46

Luk 22:39 And he came out and went, to the Mount of Olives like he used to, and the disciples followed him.
Luk 22:40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not go through tough times.”
Luk 22:41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,
Luk 22:42 saying, “Father, if you are have planned it, take this cup away from me. However, I want not what I want, but what you want to happen.”
Luk 22:43 But an angel from the sky appeared to him, strengthening him.
Luk 22:44 And being in agony he prayed more fervently; and his sweat became like drops of blood pouring on the ground.
Luk 22:45 And when he got up from praying, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping from depression,
Luk 22:46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into tough times.”

defensive posture

Some people wonder how the disciples could be so insensitive as to fall asleep when their lord is in such turmoil. I don’t. If I were there, I would be doing the same thing. My reflexes are to shut down emotionally when facing an intensely emotional experience. It is sometimes frustrating to those around me. For me, it is a defense against the pain. But Jesus challenged his disciples on that day to snap out of that defensive posture and address their depression head-on through prayer. That was the only way to prepare for the tough testing time that was to come.

LORD, show us how to use prayer as our defensive posture.

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paradigm change in evangelism

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-5

devotional post # 2068

Luke 22:35-38

Luk 22:35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out without moneybag or backpack or sandals, did you come up short of anything?” They said, “Nothing.”
Luk 22:36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a backpack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
Luk 22:37 Because I am telling you that this Scripture must be fulfilled by me: ‘And he was numbered with the criminals.’ Because what is written about me has its fulfillment.”
Luk 22:38 And they said, “Notice, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

paradigm change in evangelism

When Jesus had previously sent his disciples out to preach the gospel, it was to audiences that considered them holy men, because of their association with Christ. But after his arrest and trial, conviction and crucifixion, his reputation would no longer automatically give them an audience. The disciples would no longer be able to assume that someone in a village or city would take them in to protect them and provide for them. They now had to provide for their own protection and provision.

LORD, when we send others to preach your word, give us the wisdom to provide the proper support for them.

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shaken, to strengthen

Posted on July 4, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-4

devotional post # 2067

Luke 22:31-34

Luk 22:31 “Simon, Simon, notice, Satan has asked about you, to shake you like wheat in a sieve,
Luk 22:32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not die out. And once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luk 22:33 He said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”
Luk 22:34 But he said, “I am telling you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

shaken, to strengthen

Jesus gave Peter both a warning, and a command. The warning was that he was about to go through a time of shaking, and would even deny knowing Jesus. But Jesus looked beyond that time of shaking, and encouraged Peter to do it too. He commanded Peter to shake off the shaking, and return to who he was — a discipling disciple. Once back in his right mind, the shaken disciple is to become a strengthening discipler.

LORD, show us how to turn our tough times into opportunities to strengthen our brothers and sisters.

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staying with him in tough times

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-3

devotional post # 2

Luk 22:28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my tough times,
Luk 22:29 and I am assigning to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom,
Luk 22:30 so that you will be able to eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

staying with him in tough times

For some time now, I have been studying what the Bible says about tough times. I have been having a number of negative experiences, and I want to know how I should react. I get from today’s text that tough times will be the rule for the Christian, not the exception. I also get that in some way, our status through eternity will be measured by our willingness to stay faithful to Christ during these tough times.

LORD, help us to honor you by being faithful during our tough times.

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courage and faith

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

Oct 2017 (26)

devotional post # 2181

2 Corinthians 7:2-4

2Co 7:2 Find room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.
2Co 7:3 I am not saying this to condemn you, because I said before that you are in our hearts, dying together and living together.
2Co 7:4 I am showing a great deal of courage toward you; I have a great deal of pride in you; I am filled with encouragement. Despite all our suffering, I am overflowing with joy.

courage and faith

Paul and his team had been rejected by those they were responsible for bringing into the kingdom. Rejection hurts. Betrayal hurts. But Paul has chosen not to condemn and reject the Corinthians in retaliation. Instead, he has chosen to forgive them, and plead for reconciliation. Having done this, his faith led him to be encouraged and joyful. He knows that God can bring about unity even where Satan has caused great opposition. He knows that those who followed him to Christ can follow him once again.

LORD, give us the courage to keep asking for reconciliation, and the faith to expect it.

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helping without hurting

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky devotions pics November 2017 (3)devotional post # 2189

2 Corinthians 8:12-15

2Co 8:12 Because if the willingness is there, it is acceptable based on what a person has, not based on what he does not have.
2Co 8:13 Because I do not mean that others should be relieved and you burdened, instead, that as a matter of fairness
2Co 8:14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may later supply your need, that there may be fairness.
2Co 8:15 Like what is written, “Whoever gathered a lot had nothing left over, and whoever gathered a little had no lack.”

helping without hurting

Paul and his team had been tasked with the role of collecting relief funds. He explained to the Corinthians that the goal was simply to balance out things. Other Christians were suffering, and the Corinthians had an excess at the present. The relief funds were not meant to become a standard tax. The collection was not to become a ritual to test the charity of the Corinthians. After all, the Corinthians themselves might need relief someday. Indiscriminate giving can often hurt more than it helps.

LORD, show us how to help others in need without hurting them by creating long-term dependence.

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towel leadership

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-2

devotional post # 2065

Luke 22:24-27

Luk 22:24 But an argument also happened among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.
Luk 22:25 And he said to them, “The kings among the Gentiles exercise control over them, although those in authority over them are called good workers.
Luk 22:26 But it is not to be this way with you. Instead, let the greatest among you become as a newcomer, and the leader as one who serves.
Luk 22:27 Because who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am with you as the one who serves.

towel leadership

After the sobering question of who would be the betrayer was tossed around a bit by the disciples, the landed on an argument about who was the best leader. Jesus responded to their inquiries by reminding them of his style of leadership. He noted the Gentile authorities, who like to be called good workers (euergetes), but in reality make their subjects do all the work. Jesus, however, took up the towel and waited on those he taught. He was teaching servanthood, not masterhood.

LORD, may we follow your example and teach servanthood by serving.

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traitors at the table

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

july-1

devotional post #2064

Luke 22:21-23

Luk 22:21 But notice, the hand of him who betrays me is with me at this table.
Luk 22:22 Because the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but tragedy will come to that man by whom he is betrayed!”
Luk 22:23 And they began to question one another, wondering who of them it could be who was going to do this.

traitors at the table

Barclay observed, “It made the tragedy all the more tragic that at that very table there was one who was a traitor. Jesus Christ has at every communion table those who betray Him, for if, in His house, we pledge ourselves to Him, and then if, by our lives, we go about to deny Him, we too are traitors to His cause” (The Gospel of Luke, 278).

LORD, may our loyalty to you never be questioned.

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broken and poured out

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky-devotions-pics-june-2017-30

devotional post # 2063

Luke 22:19-20

Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and after he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, and this is what he said, “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Luk 22:20 And he took the cup,in the same way, after they had eaten, and this is what he said, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant made at the cost of my blood.

broken and poured out

Notice what our Lord did to the elements symbolizing his life. He broke the bread. His body was soon to be broken. He poured out the wine. His blood was soon to be poured out. He showed how the atonement would be an exchange: his brokenness for our wholeness, his emptying for our fullness.

LORD, praise you for your atoning sacrifice!

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missing at the table

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky-devotions-pics-june-2017-29

devotional post # 2062

Luke 22:14-18

Luk 22:14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles joined him.
Luk 22:15 And he said to them, “with all my heart I have wanted to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Luk 22:16 Because I am telling you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
Luk 22:17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.
Luk 22:18 Because I am telling you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

missing at the table

Before our Lord explained the meaning of the elements to this new addition to the Passover celebration, he explained to his disciples that the next time they participate in this communion meal, someone would be missing from the table. Judas was there with them, but he would not be there next time. He will have committed suicide, not able to live with his betrayal. But It was Jesus himself. He was the one who would be perpetually missing from the table, even though it was about him. The symbols were designed to remind us of his saving work, but they also remind us of his absence, until he returns in the full glory of his kingdom.

LORD, thank you for the promise of your presence with us again, when you return.

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