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.

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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.

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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.

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no excuses

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12151 Acts 11:19-30.  The book of Acts records three missionary journeys taken by the apostle Paul, but this passage relates a summary of four missionary journeys taken before them. First, some undisclosed disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene spread the gospel among Hellenists in Antioch. Then The elders in Jerusalem sent Barnabus to investigate what was happening in Antioch, and when he saw that the Holy Spirit was working there, he took it upon himself to fetch Saul (Paul) from Tarsus to help him teach the new disciples there. And when these new disciples learned by revelation from the Holy Spirit that there was going to be famine and economic disaster, they asked Barnabus and Saul to go to Jerusalem with their contribution toward the relief of their brothers (Jewish Christians in Judea). Apparently only one of these journeys was officially sanctioned by the church leaders in Jerusalem, but each of them was prompted by the Holy Spirit.

LORD, give us the courage to go where your Holy Spirit says to go. No excuses.

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maybe this is it

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12126 Gen. 40.  What was it that kept Joseph faithful to God and walking in integrity as he lived a forgotten life in the bowels of an Egyptian prison?  He had revelations from God in his past, and he must have believed that God had something in store for his future. When the cupbearer and baker had dreams, he must have thought that this was going to be his ticket out. He was right, but he certainly did not expect to have to wait another two years to use that ticket (41:1).   When you have the hope of the LORD’s deliverance in your heart, you can wait a lifetime and still be expectant.  When changes happen, you go with the flow because you believe God is directing the stream.

LORD, give us the faithfulness and the hope of Joseph.

Posted in commitment, confidence, faithfulness, hope, integrity, second coming | Tagged | 1 Comment

the LORD was with him

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12124 Gen. 39. What was it that allowed Joseph to maintain his integrity while all those terrible things happened to him? How was he able to keep bitterness and cynicism from spoiling his attitude and destroying his witness? One clue to that mystery is found throughout today’s text. The LORD was with him (2,3,21,23). God’s presence reminded him of his hope. His hope was based on God’s revelation of his future. That future hope was more real to Joseph than the present difficulties he faced. Believers today can walk according to the commands of Christ because they have entered his kingdom, a kingdom which will be revealed in our future. In spite of the difficulties we face today, we can stay strong, because our LORD is with us, and our destiny we know.

LORD, keep us strong in you. keep our destiny ever before our eyes, so that we can walk in integrity today.

Posted in commitment, eternal life, faithfulness, future, hope, integrity, kingdom of God, perseverance, suffering | Tagged | 1 Comment

three days without sight

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12123 Acts 9:1-31.  After his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus was left blinded and helpless for three days.  That unexpected down time was three days of grace, and in them Saul was learning the significance of what Jesus said to him.  Jesus had said “why are you persecuting me?”  Saul thought he was persecuting the church.  Christ’s appearance to him revealed who Jesus really was, and who the church is. We are Christ’s body. To persecute us is to persecute Christ. During those three days, Saul must have begun developing his Christology and ecclesiology that would proclaim the mysteries of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27), and “you are the body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 4:12).

LORD, when we are struck with periods of unexpected down time, may we take advantage of the gift by learning from your word, that we may proclaim you more effectively.

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right hearts

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12121 Acts 8.  Saul’s heart had not yet been touched by the Holy spirit’s regeneration power, so his heart was not yet right. He was ravaging the church because of his evil ambition. Simon of Samaria’s heart was touched by the truth of the gospel, but still in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity.  Philips’s heart was right, and he showed it by his eagerness to proclaim Christ to the Samaritans and elsewhere. The believers in Samaria had right hearts before God, and welcomed the kingdom truth about Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s power for ministry.  The Ethiopian Eunuch’s heart was right, and his hunger for the word needed only guidance from Philip to produce faith in Christ.

LORD, rescue us from the evil ambition of wrong hearts. Give us right hearts who long to proclaim Christ and his kingdom.

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fighting against God

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12120 2 Chronicles 13.  It took only 18 years for the kingdom to go from one divided  to become one engaged in civil war. Abijah’s army was outnumbered two to one, and he, himself was not entirely faithful to the LORD. But he knew that the LORD had made a covenant with David, he knew that Jeroboam had angered God by his expulsion of his priests and Levites, replacing them with impostors. He knew that the Jerusalem temple worship was legitimate, whereas Jeroboam’s cult was not.  The armies of Judah knew to cry out to the Lord when they were in trouble. Half a million Israelites died that day, another monument to man’s attempt to undo God’s will. When will we learn that he is sovereign?

LORD, as we fight life’s battles, give us the good sense not to fight against you.

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obedient to the faith

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Peter w Ananias 90-366 Acts 4:32-6:7.  The church of Jesus Christ is not simply a social movement. The kingdom of God has a king in heaven, and he has given us a body of instruction recorded in the Gospels. Believers are obligated to obey those instructions. The power of the Holy Spirit accompanied by the love we show in obedience to Jesus’ commands is irresistible. When those within the church community disobey the faith, it brings dishonor not only upon the church, but also Christ himself. Judgment (like that which happened with Ananias and Sapphira) will follow such disobedience. Sometimes, obeying means changing things. The seven were appointed to their new position because the community recognized a need, and the church had to change the way it did things in order to be obedient to the faith.

LORD, give us humility and commitment to learn the faith, and courage to obey it.

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