a strange deed

Posted on December 4, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

09320036 Isaiah 28:21-29.  The prophet predicted that the LORD was going to do a strange deed. “For (says Wesley) this work of bringing total destruction upon Israel, was contrary to the benignity of his own nature, and the usual way of dealing with his people.”  The prophet likened it to plowing a field. He then assured the people that one does not plow a field continually. Eventually it will be sown, and a new harvest expected.

LORD, help us to trust you during the times when strange things happen. We know that they, too, will work together for our good.

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keep walking, keep confessing

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

12074321981060911786walk on boardwalk board white.svg.med1 John 1:1-2:6.  John uses present tense verbs (denoting continuous activity) to describe the true believer, but mostly aorist tense verbs (denoting simple action in past time) to describe the spiritual impostor. The true believer keeps Christ’s commandments, and keeps on keeping them. The true believer keeps on confessing sin in order to stay in fellowship. The impostor claims that he has not sinned, and deceives himself.  He rests in his profession alone, and does not seek to govern his life by that profession. The impostor wants Christ as the propitiation, but not as the advocate. The true believer accepts Christ as both.

LORD, help us to keep our Christianity active by living the life that Jesus taught.

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we wait

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11490Isaiah 25.  We wait for the LORD to save us by subduing the oppressor (1-5,10-12).  We wait for the feast which all peoples will enjoy on Mt. Zion (6). We wait for the day when the veil of death is swallowed up for all nations (7-8a). We wait for the LORD to eliminate sorrow and shame (8b). We wait for the day of rejoicing and gladness when we can say “this is our God, we have waited for him” (9).

LORD, thank you for being the stronghold and shelter in which we can wait for your deliverance.

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not seeing is believing

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11878 John 20:27-31.  God has enough power to answer every one of our prayers, and to manifest himself before us continually for eternity. Yet he chooses to hide himself from us at times. We should not be discouraged during these times. God wants to bestow on us the special blessing that only comes to those who believe what they do not see. Self-control means more than fighting temptation. It also means keeping the faith when our prayers are not answered – when God seems to be absent.

LORD, make us people with faith that is strong enough that seeing the nail prints is not necessary.

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tetelestai

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

spikes John 19:28-30. In ancient times, those who committed crimes not worthy of death might be fined heavily. If they were unable to pay the debt, they would be placed in prison. They would be given a hand-bill that stated the nature of their crime, and the days, months, and years of their sentence. Should someone have pity on them  and pay their debt, the authorities would free them from prison, writing on the hand-bill “tetelestai” – it has ended.  If anyone questioned why the man was free, he need only present the handbill to show that the debt had been paid.
The last word Jesus said was “tetelestai.”

LORD, Thank you for paying the debt of our sins. Because of your grace, the sentence has ended.

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God’s restoring grace

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

SDC10272 Psalm 119:1-88.  I thought that Psalm 119 was a praise poem by someone who consistently followed the scriptures, and was boasting about it. I was wrong. These are the words of a sinner, who was afflicted (50,67,71,75). Perhaps because of this judgment upon him, or for some other reason, this man was persecuted by false accusers (51,69,78,84-86). He chose to cling to the word of God, and trusted God to give him life (25,37,40,50,88).  This is not an arrogant poem about personal achievement. It is praise for God’s restoring grace.

LORD, may our ways be steadfast in keeping your statutes. Then we shall not be put to shame, having our eyes fixed on all your commandments.

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resurrection joy, resurrection prayer, resurrection peace

Posted on November 26, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

peacejoy John 16. The difference between sorrow and joy for the disciples would be the resurrection (21-22).  That event would give them courage to pray in Christ’s name to the Father and have fullness of joy because of that divine connection (23-24). That event would give them courage to face a world of tribulation but still keep their inner peace in Christ (33).

LORD, help us to cling firmly to the resurrection event – that we never lose our joy, our confidence in prayer, or our peace in Christ.

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do the right thing – come what may

Posted on November 25, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

pesach 2 Kings 23.  Josiah did more to restore Judah than any of the kings that had come before him. He not only destroyed idols and places of idolatry, but he also reestablished the Passover, which had been neglected since the days of the judges. His goodness and faithfulness ultimately did not dissuade God from bringing judgment upon Judah. But he is honoured among the biblical kings because he did the right thing.

LORD, help us to do the right thing no matter what happens as a result.

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faithfulness or fruitfulness?

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

grapes John 15:1-17.  As long as the branches remain connected to the vine, fruit should be the automatic result. If anything  keeps a branch from bearing fruit, the Father will bring out the pruning shears and remove it.  The fruit is prayer (7) for others motivated by love (12).  It brings God joy to answer that kind of prayer, and it brings us joy too (11).

LORD, give us the faithfulness to abide in you and ask things from you for others.

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love triangle

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Jefferson Vann

lovetriangle John 14:21-24.  Keeping Christ’s commandments are the evidence of a divine three-way relationship between the believer, Christ, and the Father. Each side in the triangle is love. Obedient believers love Christ. Christ loves them, and the Father loves them. Jesus and the Father will make their home within us. The result will be that our obedience will not be a manifestation of selfishness (as it was with the Pharisees). We will obey Christ by loving the world that he loves.

LORD, help us to make love a priority.

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