just enough of Jesus

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12242 Acts 18:23-19:22.  Apollos had a problem.  Luke says that he could speak and teach accurately the things concerning Jesus, but he needed Priscilla and Aquila to explain to him more accurately the way of God – that is – the church.  The disciples in Ephesus that Paul encountered had a similar problem.  They knew about repentance from sin but had not yet committed themselves to Jesus’ kingdom and the ministry of the Holy Spirit within. The sons of Sceva wanted to have just enough of Jesus to continue practicing their own magic using his name. 

LORD, forgive us for wanting just enough of you to do our own thing in your name. Grant us surrender to the whole truth – the whole way.

Posted in church, commitment, discernment, Holy Spirit, integrity, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, ministry, truth | Tagged , | Leave a comment

against you only

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12206 Psalm 51.  This prayer by David has given exegetes some trouble.  David is aware of his crimes against Uriah the Hittite, whom he has killed,  and Bathsheba, with whom he commits adultery. He agonizes over his sins and fears the judgment that must come because of them. But he is primarily concerned that  sin has caused a separation between him and his God. He pleads for mercy, cleansing, renewal and restoration.  He realizes that the sacrifice of all the animals in the kingdom would be useless. He cannot atone for his mistakes. Only God can forgive. He also realizes that once forgiven, he will have the privilege of coming back into the temple to sacrifice out of a thankful heart, and back to the people to teach them God’s ways. It was all about his relationship with God – something this mighty king could not afford to lose.

LORD, when we stray from your way, help us to plead for your mercy and forgiveness. Make our relationship with you priority #1.

Posted in confession, grace, prayer, relationship with God, repentance, worship | Tagged | Leave a comment

some strange things

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12229 Acts 17:16-34.  Many people today are like those Athenians who spent their time “in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” Paul picked up on this curiosity and presented the gospel to them like this: 1) The God you do not know created all humanity. 2) He has appointed Jesus Christ as humanity’s judge and showed this by raising him from the dead. 3) He commands you to repent and follow Jesus because Judgment Day is coming. There are still millions of people all over the planet to whom these are new and strange concepts. They need to hear those strange things.

LORD, send us to those who have never heard the strange things that bring life.

Posted in creation, Jesus Christ, judgment, missions, witness | Tagged | 1 Comment

you who forget God

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12194 Psalm 50. The LORD is aware of hypocrisy and wickedness among his own people. Asaph brilliantly shows this by presenting God as the judge who summons the earth to witness the charges he brings against those who claim him as their God:  1) They assumed that their sacrifices made up for their lack of obedience to his word. Those acts of worship were to be reminders of a relationship that could be sustained by thanksgiving and prayer. 2) They assumed that the promises in the Bible were theirs, even though they rejected the lifestyle those words commanded. They stole, committed adultery, and lied, and assumed that God’s silence was approval.

LORD, help us to remember you, to offer thanksgiving as  sacrifices, and to order our way rightly.

Posted in hypocrisy, obedience, relationship with God, worship | Tagged | 1 Comment

my riddle

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12193 Psalm 49.  What does one do when he is treated unfairly by someone so wealthy and powerful that he fears no human law or justice? This is the riddle that the sons of Korah pose in psalm 49. The answer is TRUST GOD.  Here are the reasons: 1) No one has enough money to escape death (7-9). 2) Death will reduce the powerful to dust. They will perish just like the beasts (12,20).  3) After death, everyone goes to Sheol (the death state) and is totally dependent upon God for deliverance. Only the righteous have hope beyond the grave. God promises to ransom their souls from Sheol’s power, and receive them back to life (14-15). They will awake, and be satisfied with God’s likeness (Ps. 17:15).

LORD, when people make trouble for us, and there is nothing that we can do, help us to trust in your justice.

Posted in conditional immortality, enemies, future, resurrection, sleep of death, trust | Tagged | Leave a comment

with no one’s regret

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12191 2 Chronicles 21.  One of the saddest statements about anyone found in the scriptures is the epitaph for Jehoram. His short reign in Jerusalem resulted in the Lord judging him by inciting rebellion among his subjects, war with his enemies, a horrible illness in his bowels, and an agonizing death. When he died, his people decided not to bury him in the tombs of the kings, and not to honor him with a bonfire as they had done his predecessors. The writer of the Chronicles simply says that “he departed with no one’s regret” (20). 

LORD, help us to live lives of significance that make a difference. May we serve you and others in such a way that others will regret it when we die.

Posted in commitment, faithfulness, integrity, leadership, works | Tagged | Leave a comment

family love

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12183 Genesis 43.  This moving story of Joseph’s second encounter with his brothers reveals what has been going on in Joseph’s heart since they sold him into slavery.  You would expect Joseph to have harbored bitterness and hatred in his heart. This passage reveals that Joseph’s compassion grew warm upon seeing Benjamin. He was overwhelmed with love. He did what he could to dispel the fear and anxiety his brothers were feeling. He asked about his father. Family love is a great gift our heavenly father has given all his children. It can overcome the heartache we all experience because family members often disappoint us. But God has given us a love for family that can overcome those times of disappointment.

LORD, thank you for family. Help us to show your love and compassion to our family members, no matter what.

Posted in compassion, family, forgiveness, love | Tagged | 1 Comment

flexibility

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12180 Acts 13-14.  Both these chapters record the missionary work of Paul and his companions, but a shift in emphasis is clearly seen. Chapter 13 focuses mainly on Paul’s attempt to reach the Jewish population of the Gentile cities he visits. There we find numerous references to scripture as Paul argues that Christ’s death and resurrection were part of God’s revealed plan to rescue humanity from death and give the promise of eternal life through him. By chapter 14, Paul is preaching to Gentiles and focuses on the common grace that God shows to all as a witness to his existence. Ministry requires flexibility.

LORD, help us to be willing to change in order to reach people with the gospel.

Posted in eternal life, grace, Jesus Christ, ministry, scriptures | Tagged , | 2 Comments

blessing lessons

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12159 Gen. 41:37-57.  How should a believer respond when the troubles stop and the blessings come?  Often we forget God when there is money in the bank account and our needs no longer overwhelm us. We should learn the lesson from Joseph. When his troubles turned into triumph, he forgot the old prison days, but he did not forgot the God who rescued him. He named his first son Manasseh, because the LORD had caused him to forget the troubles of the past. He named his second son Ephraim (fruitful) because the LORD was now giving him the opportunity to be fruitful with his prominence, power and wealth. Both Joseph’s attitude during his trouble days and his attitude during his triumph days were God-centered.

LORD, help us trust you during our trouble days, and be fruitful for your kingdom when you bless us.

Posted in faithfulness, kingdom of God, relationship with God, witness | Tagged | 1 Comment

the worrier’s psalm

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12155 Psalm 46 is not a psalm for the warrior, but a psalm for the worrier. It’s for those of us that tend to be overwhelmed by anxiety when trouble comes. The sons of Korah highlight two different kinds of worry-producing events. First is a natural disaster (the image of an earthquake that moves the mountains into the sea). Second is war, which disrupts and ends human life. The answer to both worry producers is to trust in God and remember that he has in store for us a future that involves protection and eternal life in a world without war. He is the worrier’s refuge and fortress.

LORD, we ask you to forgive us for being worriers instead of warriors.

Posted in confidence, conflict, faith, future, hope, relationship with God | Tagged | Leave a comment