offended by Jesus?

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11977 Luke 7. The centurion at Capernaum was honoured to be prayed for by Jesus; he did not even feel worthy for Jesus to visit his home. The inhabitants of Nain were in awe and fear of Jesus and proclaimed him a great prophet, and proclaimed that God had visited his people. But the closer Jesus got to Jerusalem, the more he encountered people who were offended by him. Jesus compared these people to children who are offended that someone does not play their own games.

LORD, forgive us for feeling offended when you do not dance when we play. Give us the wisdom to honour you as you are.

Posted in discernment, faith, Jesus Christ, submission, wisdom | Tagged | Leave a comment

successful leadership

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11976 1 Chronicles 11.  David showed three signs of successful godly leadership. He had the LORD’s appointment as demonstrated by his anointing. He had the recognition of the people as demonstrated by their following him into the conquest of Jebus. He had the support of those already in leadership as demonstrated by all his Mighty Men. Of course, when David started out he had neither of these. Successful leaders stay in the race long enough to become what God has in store for them. The most crucial character trait is perseverance.

LORD, help us to trust you long enough for us to become what you want of us.

Posted in confidence, faithfulness, leadership, patience | Tagged | Leave a comment

let us build a city

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11974 Gen. 11.  Babel was humanity’s chance to make something of themselves — outside of God’s plan.  The words we read here are seen by the humanist as those of a frightened god, afraid that his creatures will live up to their potential and replace him. The Christian understands that God was acting as a wise parent, seeking to keep his children from danger. His plan for humanity included scattering  us throughout the planet, so that we could rule it wisely as his representatives. When we decided to stay in one place and build a tower to heaven, God had to stop us for our own good. The linguistic and ethnic differences we have today are the result.

LORD, keep us out of harm’s way — even if that means not giving us what we want.

Posted in discernment, divisions, submission, wisdom, worldview | Tagged | 2 Comments

the hidden God

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11973 Psalm 10. To the wicked person, God is hidden. The wicked person acts like an atheist. He ignores God’s judgments and assumes his own immortality. He does what he can get away with. To the righteous person, this is an insult to God, and it seems that God is hidden as well. The righteous person does not understand why God lets the wicked get away with such a life of sin and rebellion. Both are seeing life from the standpoint of time, not eternity.

LORD, teach us to see you by faith, and to never doubt your justice — even if we do not see it in our lifetime.

Posted in confidence, discernment, faith, judgment | Tagged | Leave a comment

breach of faith

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11996 1 Chronicles 10. Saul’s suicide brought shame to Israel and gave the Philistines a reason to gloat. What was the root cause of such a tragedy in a kingdom that God promised to bless? Perhaps knowing the answer to that question will keep the leaders who follow the LORD today from taking the wrong step — a step that could end in personal failure, and shame for the movement. Saul died for his breach of faith. Saul’s breach of faith is found in his disobedience to the command of the LORD, and in the fact that he failed to seek guidance from the LORD through prayer (13-14).

LORD, help us to keep the faith by obeying your words and seeking your guidance.

Posted in faith, faithfulness, obedience, prayer | Tagged | Leave a comment

bearing fruit before the flood

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11997 Luke 6:17-49.  The key to understanding Jesus’ sermon on the level place is the flood imagery of verse 48. Jesus uses the flood imagery because of how God had used a flood to destroy the earth during the days of Noah. God will once again bring judgment upon the whole planet, only the next time it will be with fire, not water (2 Pet. 3:7).  Jesus contrasts the rich , full, laughing, well-spoken of unbelievers with the poor, hungry, weeping believers. Notice the phrase “on account of the Son of Man” (22). Jesus is talking about believers who are committed to him in spite of the ridicule they get from the others. He encourages them to love their enemies (the unbelievers) because their heavenly father loves them (27-36).  He encourages his followers to prove their faith by their fruit (43-45). That fruit is obedience to Christ’s commands (46-47).

LORD, we commit ourselves to bearing fruit so that others might see it, and escape the coming flood of your wrath.

Posted in enemies, judgment, obedience, works | Tagged | Leave a comment

praise and prediction

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11995 Psalm 8. David reflects on the glory of God manifested in his own life and leadership.  He thinks about his songs of worship, and praises God that he has used the words of a mere babe and infant to still the enemy (2). David’s greater son — Jesus — thought of David’s words when he heard the children praising him in the temple (Matt. 21:16). David thinks about his nights as a shepherd, looking up at a clear sky and seeing God’s awesomeness reflected in the celestial bodies he set in place. Yet he wonders how such a God would dare to honor him, and give him dominion (3-6). The author of Hebrews was reminded of these words when he was describing how God the Father has given Jesus dominion, after being made a little lower than the angels so that he could “taste death for everyone” as our substitute (Heb. 2:6f.). So, this psalm is both a psalm of praise from David and a psalm of prediction about the Messiah, David’s greater son.

LORD, may we appreciate what a privilege it is to lead others in your name.  May we follow Christ’s example by leading sacrificially.

Posted in Jesus Christ, leadership, worship | Tagged | Leave a comment

hometown advantage

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11994 Luke 4:14-44.  At first, things went quite well for Jesus when he visited his hometown of Nazareth.  All eyes were upon him, and they listened with approval as he explained about his ministry of rescuing the blind from their darkness, and the slaves from their bondage. But then Jesus explained that these people would not have a hometown advantage. Just because Jesus grew up among them, they should not expect miracles from him. God does not usually choose to work among those who think they deserve it.

LORD, forgive us for thinking we have the hometown advantage just because we know you and your word. Visit us with your deliverance!

Posted in faith, Holy Spirit, prayer, relationship with God | Tagged | Leave a comment

a pregnant man

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11993 Psalm 7.  David has apparently been accused of wronging someone by Cush, of the tribe of Benjamin.  It may be that Cush had some property and David acquired it, and Cush spread word that David had gained it by wicked means (3-5). David takes refuge in the LORD against the lies of his enemy. God shows David a mental image of a pregnant man (14). It is a humourous way of seeing that the evil plans of the wicked eventually backfire. Another image David sees is a man who digs a pit for a trap, only to fall into the trap himself (15). 

LORD, give us patience to allow you to deal with our enemies your way.

Posted in enemies, faith, patience, prayer | Tagged | Leave a comment

spiritual mechanics

Posted on January 7, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11999 Luke 4:8-12.  Some teach that getting what you want from God is a matter of spiritual mechanics.  All you have to do is find some promise in the text of scripture, put your faith in it, and act out that faith so that people know you are sincere. Satan apparently followed that philosophy when he tempted Jesus to trust Psalm 91 to protect him. Jesus responded by quoting Deut.6:16. For him to put his life in danger and then trust God to rescue him because of the words of a promise would be testing God. It would be taking advantage of the relationship for personal gain. A loving son would not do that to his father.

LORD, teach us to respect you, and not to take advantage of our relationship with you for personal gain.

Posted in discernment, relationship with God, self-control, worldview | Tagged | Leave a comment