no future

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12338 Psalm 37.  This wisdom psalm from David encourages believers to think rightly about their future and that of the wicked. we need to stop worrying about wicked people and envying their strength and possessions. They may seem strong and secure now, but they will shrivel up like a dead plant (2).  They will be cut off (a metaphor for death) (9,22,28,38). They will be no more (10). They will not be at their place (10). Their day is coming (13).  Their weapons will be turned against them ((15). Their strong arms will be broken (17).  They will perish, vanish like smoke (20).  They will pass away and be no more, be looked for and not found (36).  They will be altogether destroyed (38).  They may have a glorious present, but they will have no future (38).

LORD, help us to consistently trust in you, for only in you is there a future.

Posted in conditional immortality, destruction in hell, faith, future, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

one decision

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12117 2 Chronicles 10.  It was one decision that Rehoboam made that led to division and rebellion and the dissolution of  Israel. He decided to listen to the wrong counselors. They encouraged him to make the heavy yoke even heavier. The older men had advised Rehoboam that if he only listened and responded to the appeal of his people he could keep the nation together. But the king’s choice was with the younger men, his own peers. Spiritual leadership is like that too. We must be very careful to make wise choices, because some mistakes cannot be easily mended with a simple apology. An entire house can be destroyed by the removal of a single brick.

LORD, help us to make right decisions. May we take the needs of everyone into consideration before we choose.

Posted in conflict, discernment, divisions, leadership, ministry, peace, self-control, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

witnesses to his resurrection

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12116 Acts 1.  Luke’s Gospel was about what Jesus began to do and teach (1). Acts was about what he would continue to do and teach through his witnesses. He told his followers that the Holy Spirit would come upon them and empower them to witness, wherever he sent them — even to the end of the earth (8). Peter understood that to be a witness is to testify that Christ has been raised from the dead (22). That fact has validated all of what Jesus did and taught. Because he is risen we know that he will come again. Because he is risen — not because of us– we know that he will keep his promise to give us eternal life. This changes everything.

LORD, we trust not in our nature, but in your resurrection.

Posted in conditional immortality, eternal life, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, resurrection, second coming, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

"it is written"

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12116 Luke 24.  Each event described by Luke in this chapter contains a miracle: angelic messengers, Jesus appearing as a fellow traveler on the road, the opening of the eyes of the disciples while he ate with them, his appearance among the eleven. But the miracles are overshadowed by the message (6-7,25-27,32,44-46).  Luke uses the history to emphasize “it is written.”  His version of the great commission is also expressly tied to the written word. Christ died and rose again because it is written. Repentance and forgiveness will be proclaimed in his name because it is written.

LORD, make us the fulfillment of your word.

Posted in forgiveness, Jesus Christ, repentance, resurrection, scriptures, the cross, witness | Tagged | Leave a comment

if my people…

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12097 2 Chronicles 7.  Before we jump to claim 2 Chronicles 7:14 as our life verse– we should look again at the context of the verse.  Solomon has just prayed to dedicate the temple.  The LORD appeared to him at night, and promised that he would at times bring drought, locusts, and pestilence to his land. He will do that because he expects his people to respond with humble prayer. He, in turn, promises to forgive and restore the land. But, if his people forsake his law and turn to idols, he promises to cast them out of his sight, so that the nations would know how God treats those who abandon him. God is faithful to all of his promises.

LORD, help us to be faithful to you, so that you will listen when we pray.

Posted in commitment, faithfulness, forgiveness, humility, idolatry, prayer | Tagged | Leave a comment

the real story

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12094 Genesis 29:31-30:43.  The LORD’s steadfast love shines through in the fact that he continues to bless Jacob with children and property. It is also seen in how he brings about justice to the mistreated ones in the process. Leah, who is resented by both Jacob and Rachel, bears the most children. Laban cheats Jacob, but God still causes the flocks to produce in a way that favors Jacob. It is hard to find a human hero in this story. There is so much duplicity and dysfunctionality that if this were fiction, it would be labeled incredible. The real story is what God is doing to bless his people in spite of what they do.

LORD, we know that we shall be blessed by you, help us to reflect your character as well.

Posted in grace, judgment, relationship with God | Tagged , | 1 Comment

switcheroo

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12089 Genesis 29:1-30.  Laban pulled a switcheroo on Jacob and gave him Leah on his wedding night. Why did God let this happen? Remember that Jacob had done the same thing to his father, Isaac, when he pretended to be Esau to gain his father’s blessing.  God was committed to Jacob because of his promises, but there would be justice for Jacob’s sins. God does not overlook the sins of his people. He does promise to forgive and forget the sins we confess (1 John 1:9).

LORD, help us to walk in your way, and confess quickly when we stumble.

Posted in confession, forgiveness, relationship with God, repentance | Tagged | 2 Comments

from silence to shouting

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12088 Psalm 32. This psalm is the story of a sinner who is under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The urge to confess is so strong, and the knowledge of his separation from God’s will so acute that he groans all day long, and his bones are wasting away (3). The silence of lack of confession speaks volumes. So he confesses his sin and experiences the relief of God’s forgiveness. The silence turns to shouts of deliverance (7). So he instructs his hearers not to be so stubborn that God has to bridle them like a horse or mule (9). Trust in the LORD,  whose steadfast love can cover your sins.

LORD, turn our stubborn silence into shouts of joy and gladness.

Posted in confession, forgiveness, grace, joy, praise, relationship with God, repentance | Tagged | 1 Comment

conditioning prayer

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12086 Luke 22.  Jesus could see beyond the time of trial that he was facing to the victory and the celebration in his kingdom. That awareness did not lessen the anguish he felt as he approached the cross. His was an ordeal unlike any other, for he had upon him the weight of the sins of the entire human species. He was thoroughly in the moment. That is why he knew that prayer was needed. He tried to get it across to his disciples that they too should be praying that they would not be tempted. Sorrow exhausted them, and they gave up.  Times of trial and distress will come to believers during this age. If regular prayer is our habit, we will be conditioned so that we can spend extra time in prayer when it is needed.

LORD, train us to spend time with you consistently, so that we are ready when the times of trial come.

Posted in faithfulness, kingdom of God, perseverance, prayer, preparation, suffering | Tagged | Leave a comment

the days of vengeance

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12340 Luke 21.  In this eschatological sermon Jesus mixes some predictions of  immanent “days of vengeance” upon Jerusalem (22) with a description of the long age preceding his second coming (8-9).  He does this intentionally because the two events are related. Specifically: 1) the generation that Jesus spoke to would see all the signs he mentioned, but would still not be ready for the days of vengeance, 2) true believers would be hated by all during this generation, and put to death, in spite of the fact that the Holy Spirit is with them. 3) the generation will serve as a sign that the kingdom of God is near (31), so believers should remain diligent during the long age before the second coming, because it could come at any time.

LORD, keep us diligent, ready for your return.

Posted in conflict, discernment, future, judgment, kingdom of God, perseverance, preparation | Tagged | 1 Comment