May 31: Mission Possible

Posted by Jeremiah Hann

Scripture:

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”  John 19:28

Observation:

As things happened, the bible tells us that “This fulfilled the Scripture.”  All these these were predicted way back in the Old Testament, and when Jesus shows up, he begins fulfilling them all.  He knew what he was on this earth for.  He knew that at this very moment, his mission was finished.  He knew that his whole life was now complete.  He knew he was done, but still needed to fulfill a few more scriptures.  He knew why he was here.

Application:

Just as Jesus kept on serving until his mission on earth was complete, so should I.  He left us with the mission to make disciples.  Everywhere we go, be an example to others and point them to Christ.  I can keep telling others about Christ until the day I die.  Then my mission will be complete.

Prayer:

Hey God, thanks so much for sending Jesus down here to live on this earth, and die for my sins.  Please help me to constantly remember to tell others about him, and in all I do, point others to you.  In Jesus name, Amen.

May 30th: A lesson from failure…

By: Brent Hodges

Scripture

“Again Peter denied it.  And immediately a rooster crowed.”  John 18:27

Observation

Gulp!  I have to imagine that may have been Peter’s reaction when he heard the rooster crow.  I’m sure that was immediately followed by an overwhelming feeling of guilt and shame.  As Darius mentioned in the previous post regarding Judas, Peter had just hung out with Jesus for the past 3 years.  He had seen the miracles Jesus performed and dedicated his life to Him.  But, when the first challenge came without Christ at his side…he choked.

Application

None of us have physically hung out with Jesus, but yet we’re sold out to Him because of the life change we’ve experienced through Him.  None of us plan on failing.  However, many times we’re a few steps into sin before we realize it, or we may hear the rooster crow.  Setting boundaries and surrounding ourselves with Christ-like influences can go a long way in preventing us from having to deal with the rooster effect. 

Prayer

Lord, may I set my eyes on You and strive to become more like You each day.  May I recognize when temptation or failure is on the horizon…before the rooster crows…and may You give me the strength to run away.

May 29: Don’t take it personal

posted by: Darius Sanders

Scripture
John 18:4-5
Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him so he stepped forward to meet them.  “Who are you looking for?” he asked.  “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I Am He,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them).

Observation
Jesus is funny to me.  Being fully God, Jesus knew everything.  Being fully human, He acted at times as if He didn’t know what was going on.  Jesus sees an angry mob coming at Him with torches, lanterns, and weapons in the middle of the night.  He knows that they are coming to arrest Him and take Him away to be crucified; after all, verse four says He “fully realized all that was going to happen to Him.”  Yet when the angry mob approaches Him He says “Who are you looking for?”  That’s funny to me.  Of course Jesus knows who they are looking for and why, but I think this was His way of making humans feel as if this whole crucifixion thing was their idea in the first place.

Something that also stood out to me was that Jesus got sold out by one of his best friends.  Judas was one of the 12 disciples that hung out with Him for the last 3 years.  Judas watched him walk on water.  He watched him heal people that were told they would never be cured.  He got to see Him feed over 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.  Judas of all people had to have known that Jesus was special, yet he sold him out for 30 silver coins.

Application
Something God has been teaching me lately is not to take things so personally.  Jesus sets a great example in this passage of modeling that.  When Judas, one of Jesus’ best friends, turns his back on Him, He doesn’t respond with anger or frustration at Judas.  Instead, He embraces His role as the Savior that must die for our sins and He willingly goes along with the men that will eventually kill Him.  This is contrary to what a lot of us may have done in His situation.  We would have probably thought of a way to get even with Judas.  However, that is yet another reason why God didn’t make us Jesus.   God is teaching us through this example that people who are close to us in life may turn their backs on us, but our response should be to let that situation be used for God’s glory.  We need to learn not to take things so personally in life but rather realize that every situation in which someone “does us wrong” is an opportunity that God will use to grow our character if we don’t retaliate.

Prayer
God, thanks for the reminder today not to take things so personally.  You know that that has been a struggle of mine for a long time so it is always encouraging to see biblical examples of how not to take things so personally.  Please help me to remember that every situation in which people treat me wrong can be used for your glory if I choose to respond in love.

May 28th: Bringing the Glory

By Dennis Johnston

Scripture:

“I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”    John 17:4

Observation:

Jesus knows that His physical death is near and the hour to glorify His Father has come. 

Application:

Jesus accomplished all that God sent Him to do.  He completed the will of His Father.  As a Christ follower - I’m compelled to accomplish all that God has for me.  To do His will.  In the big picture, that can be an overwhelming thought.  As I look at today, I can prayfully look to His word and ask, “Father, what is your desire for me today? How can I glorify you today?” 

God asks that I live a life that is holy and pleasing to him (Romans 12:2).  That I live my life in a such a way that others see Him in me - so that He may be glorified (Matthew 5:16).  For today, I can live an intentional life the way Jesus did and look for opportunities to meet the needs of others in two ways:

1.  Those in my household.

2.   Those in my community.

In doing so, I will be changed and my life (actions) will bring glory to Him.  Also, my community will be impacted by the love of Christ in simple, but effective ways. 

Prayer:

Lord, I desire to live a life that brings glory and honor to You.  Guide me and provide me with opportunities to meet the needs of others in my household and in my community with passion.  I believe that by doing so I can change my world with the love of Christ.  I pray by faith - believing that my actions will make a difference in the lives of others for Your glory.  In Jesus’ name.

 

 

May 27th: I’ll See You in Heaven

by Paul Lewis

There is so much in today’s reading that God is shouting to us! Beginning with Nathan confronting David about his affair with Bathsheba, and the promise of the Holy Spirit, to a reminder that God made everthing for His own purposes. Today I want to focus on one little point that has huge significance for our lives.

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:23

“But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.”

Observation:

David’s child with Bathsheba has died. While the child was sick, David fasted and prayed, hoping that God would relent from his punishment and save the child’s life. Once the child died, David washed and went to worship God.

What David says here is profound. He is declaring that there is life after death. He is also saying that we will one day be where his son is. He is putting his hope in what lies ahead, not the sorrow of his heart now.

Application:

There is no greater loss on this Earth than the loss of a child. I have been with families as they have suffered this loss and the pain is unbearable. There is no measure of comfort that can be provided to sooth the pain of such a loss. That’s why this passage says that David’s advisers were, “amazed.”

There is a small book entitled, I’ll See You in Heaven that helps parents endure the pain of losing a child. Another resource is Grief Share, which is a group for those who have suffered loss. We have a group starting this week if you know someone who is working through the pain of loss.

For those of us who haven’t faced such a painful loss, we can still understand from this passage that in God’s perfect plan, we can trust His promise that we will live forever with Him, and we will see those who have gone before us.

Prayer:

God, help me to be a comfort to those who suffer loss, and worship you in the process of such pain. Thank you for the comfort of knowing that your promise of eternal life is true.

May 26: The chosen few…

By: Brent Hodges

Scripture

“You didn’t choose me.  I chose you.”  John 15:16a

Observation

Christ continues his narrative to his disciples shortly before he is handed over to the authorities.  These are very short, but very powerful sentences.  The disciples didn’t choose to follow Jesus, they were chosen by Jesus.

Application

What an awesome thing to hear!  We are chosen by the Messiah to carry out His work.  I have been selected to be a light in the darkness, to carry His message to the nations, and to honor Him with my life.  It’s a high calling, but one that I cherish and look forward to fulfilling each day. 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy.  Thank you for choosing to rescue me and redeem me for work in Your kingdom.  May I serve You authentically today.

May 25: God’s down with teardown…

By: Brent Hodges

Scripture

“I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day.  I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling.”  2 Samuel 7:6

Observation

This is God’s response to Nathan in regards to David’s thought of building a permanent structure for the Lord to house the Ark of the Covenant.  Apparently, God is intimately familiar with setup & teardown.  God goes on to say that He has never once complained to the Israelite leaders about not having a permanent building as a home. 

Application

The feel-good side of this passage lets us know that God is familiar with and blesses portable churches…the tough side is realizing that if He’s not complaining about it…why should we?  I know I’m guilty of thinking how much nicer it will be once we’re in a permanent facility…especially this time of year.  Is God concerned with the same thing?    I believe He’s more interested in saving lives than saving me some sweat on the weekend…perhaps I should focus on that and stop my complaining.

Prayer

Lord, may I be more interested in the things that matter to You than the things that would make my life easier.  May I can the complaining and focus on being a blessing to others You bring on to Your campus…whether it’s permanent or temporary.

May 24: Hear It, Take It

By Derrick Logan

Scripture:

“If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.” - Proverbs 15:31

Observation:

Although hearing isn’t fun, constructive criticism brings insight and wisdom.  It’s amazing to me that Solomon, the wisest man ever, would sit and listen to others critique his work.  To think, Solomon, in all of his success and in his high position was still humble enough to do that.

Application:

Constructive criticism is essential to my success as a Christian, husband, father, and leader.  I need to surround myself with people that can speak truth into each of these areas of my life.  Having another set of eyes on these areas of my life will help me to grow a ton!

Prayer:

God, please send people into my life that can help me to grow in this area.  I know that my perspective is limited but the insight of others can help take me to the next level in the most crucial areas of my life.  Make me humble and help me to swallow my pride.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

May 22: How to not waste your life.

Posted by: Jeremiah Hann

Scripture:

Those who love their life will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. John 12:25

Observations:

Man, these words of Jesus go against everything that the world tells us today! Every television program, every magazine, every popular song, all present the philosophy, “Your life is your own! Live it the way you please! Watch out for Number 1! Do your own thing! Log on to MYSPACE!” But Jesus declares that if you follow that philosophy you will lose everything. Life will slip through your fingers no matter what you do. You can gain all the material things you could ever wish for, the acceptance of the crowd, recognition by the whole world, but if you live that way you will end up with nothing; your life will be a total waste of time.

Application:

The more I try to have possessions make me happy, the unhappier I will be. I need to constantly remember that when I am truly going to live, I need to look to Christ and follow his example. Earthly possessions are great, but just a bonus to following Christ. I shouldn’t hold on to them so hard.

Prayer:

Hey God, help me to constantly follow you. Help me to put you before all my earthly possessions. Thanks for blessing me more than I deserve. Help me to give my blessings back to you! In Jesus name, Amen.

May 21st: Sharing the booty…

By: Brent Hodges

Scripture

“But David said, ‘No, my brothers!  Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us.  He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us.’”

Observation

This is David’s response to the “evil troublemakers” among his men who wanted to give back the wives and children of the 200 men who stayed behind, but not share any of the plunder from the victory with them.  David probably wasn’t a popular guy after making this decision.

Application

This seems pretty counter-culture by today’s standards and I imagine the same held true then.  Those 200 didn’t earn anything…they were too tired to continue…why should they share in something that they didn’t risk their lives for?  Because God provided the 400 the victory and He intends for all His people to share in the reward.  No matter if you’ve been saved for 50 years or 50 seconds…you will be sharing in the eternal plunder because God is a selfless God!  Perhaps I should reflect that character quality in my life as David did in his.

Prayer

Lord, make me selfless like You.  May I see others the way You do, and may I share the things You’ve chosen to bless me with with those in need.