two-thirds wasted

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11984 Luke 7:36-8:3.  The late Dr. Harry Bilieu wrote a book called Two Thirds Wasted. He argued that the Christian Church is made up of mostly women. Yet sadly that two-thirds of Christendom is wasted because so many women are not actively involved in ministry. They feel like second class citizens of the kingdom of God. We men should follow the example of Christ, who opened his heart to not only minister to women, but also to be ministered to by them.

LORD, help me to regard all those who are in Christ as I would regard Christ.

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go from your country

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11983 Gen. 12.  The LORD makes several promises to Abram in this chapter. He promises to make him a great nation, to bless him, to make his name great, and that all these signs of grace will result in Abram being a blessing. He promises to get revenge on the people who dare to curse Abram (or as it turns out, even those who mistreat Abram out of ignorance). All those promises are conditioned on one act of obedience. Abram had to leave his comfort zone.

LORD, grant us the wisdom to obey you in regards to the light burden you require. Give us confidence that it will all be worth it.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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