February 5, 2014 – Matthew 26 – Never Give Up

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

What Does this Passage Say?

• It feels sort of like decision day. Jesus knows that the hour is closing in that He will be killed. Jesus has predicted His death before, but what a shocking statement this is when He includes the mode of death. All that Jesus has said these last few day has become the final nail in the coffin. There is now real activity in the planning of Jesus death.

• For the past week Jesus has been staying in Bethany, a small town outside the city of Jerusalem. From other accounts we know He is staying with Lazarus, and his sisters Mary and Martha. It is in this home that a woman pours out an expensive perfume all over Jesus. This woman does a beautiful thing, but the disciples, possibly lead by Judas, rebuke her … there might be a mix of motives here, maybe they have learned from Jesus and their hearts are really for the poor or maybe they are covering up evil intentions … i.e. Judas whose betrayal to the religious leaders is immediately shared. Jesus reminds them that His presence is only temporary and the time stamp is almost up.

• On Thursday night Jesus sends the disciples ahead to prepare the Passover feast. He has arranged a room for this to happen and they go and secure it. During the traditional Passover meal, Jesus shares that one will betray Him and another will deny Him. He presents them both, and tells Judas to go do what he has set in his mind to do.

• It is during this meal that Jesus establishes the Lord’s Supper, a meal Christians partake of each and every week. This meal reminds us that Jesus body was given up for our life. This meal reminds that it is the shed blood that saves man from sin. The elements of bread and fruit of the vine represent this sacrifice!

• After the meal, Jesus and His disciples return to the Mount of Olives. Here on the Mount is a private garden named Gethsemane that Jesus probably has an open invitation to visit. More than likely from this spot Jesus can see all of Jerusalem, especially the Temple mount. The week has been long. The week has been exciting … remember how it began; people lining the streets, Jesus riding in on a donkey to the shouts of praise? Jesus has taught and strongly confronted the Pharisees. Whatever Jesus is getting ready for the anticipation must be at a boiling point. But along with this long week comes exhaustion. As Jesus heart feels overwhelmed and as He goes to pray, He asks His disciples to keep watch and to pray, but they are not able; they fall asleep.

• Jesus returns to His disciples in between prayers, prayers where He asks God to take the cup of wrath that is coming, understanding that is not God’s will, and finds them asleep. While talking with them, the one, Judas, who has betrayed Jesus, arrives with a crowd of guards sent by the High Priest. Judas kissed Jesus signaling that He was the one, causing Jesus to be arrested.

• It is here that Jesus is brought in for His first series of trails before the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was made up of both Pharisees and Sadducees. They were the ruling body in the legislative branch of Judaism.  Here Jesus is presented His charge … blaspheme. It is during this first trial that Peter denies any relationship with Jesus to the crowds standing on the outside watching. 

What is this passage teaching?

• Jesus has had a remarkable week. It is all coming to a crashing end. The last few hours of Jesus life is consumed with Jesus pouring into His disciples. All the way until the end He is teaching them and guiding them and building them up. 

How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Do you have someone you are investing into? Do you get frustrated with their slow growth? Do you feel like they just don’t get it? Jesus had to feel that way from time to time. But He never gave up. Until the very end He was pouring into them; at Lazarus home, at the Last Supper, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and after Peter cuts the ear the servant. Do not give up. Find patience, Continuing pouring into and investing in those you love and care for. Who knows but God when the seed will begin to grow.

January 23, 2014 – Matthew 17 – Homesick

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

What Does this Passage Say?

• Jesus does something special for three of His closest disciples. During His ministry Jesus has an interaction with God. He goes up on a mountainside where He interacts with Moses and Elijah. Here God reaffirms Jesus and His mission on the earth. The three disciples with Him are pretty lucky to witness even though they do not get what is going on. This is evident by Peter’s reaction. To be honest this is a passage of scripture that I am still wrestling with in my own understanding and grasp of.

• Following this Jesus comes off the mountain side to be greeted by a father whose son has been possessed by demons. Jesus remaining disciples have been unsuccessful in removing the demon from the boy who has nearly been destroyed both physically and mentally by these demons. Jesus notes that it is their little faith that kept them from healing this boy. At this point in the narrative they have come so far but have yet so far to go in their walk of faith!

 What is this passage teaching?

• I think the underlying teaching moment of these two stories is the fact that Jesus does not belong here. On the mountain He was reminded what it means to be with God and that He was God. In the village He is reminded of the dirty ugliness of this earth. This reminder causes Him to cry out … “O unbelieving and perverse generation.” (Matthew 17:17 NIV) For this moment Jesus is homesick here amongst us.

 How can I apply this passage to my life?

• Do you ever get homesick? I am not talking about taking a vacation and longing to be wherever it is you call your home. I mean do you ever get homesick for heaven? Do you long for the day when you will leave the pains, struggle, tragedies, sickness, and death of this world behind? Do you long for the day when you will feel the glow of God on your face as you worship Him? Do you long for heaven? I believe Jesus certainly did. I believe it is something we should long for. If you do not, examine your heart and ask yourself why you do not. 

November 18 – Acts 7 & 8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Acts 7 & 8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

The life of Jesus is now behind us. He has went to the cross and resurrected. He has even left His disciples on earth until His final return at the end of days. While He has left earth, He has not left His disciples alone. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon mankind bringing salvation along with it. Now the church has begun. People are being brought to a life changing relationship with Jesus. Those who are opposed to Jesus, pulling the old power strings, are fighting back against the church. They have now arrested Stephen.

Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin and he is telling them the story of their ancestral history, concluding with their deliverer from Egyptian slavery, Moses. In this retelling Stephen gave this line after God called Moses, “So God sent back the same man his people had previously rejected when they demanded, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge over us?’” (Acts 7:35 NLT). I absolutely love when something new stands out to me no matter how many times I have read a passage … this was one of those times.

In many ways Jesus was compared to Moses. Moses delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Jesus delivered all of mankind from the slavery of sin. Moses was considered a prophet. Jesus was considered a prophet. Moses gave God’s original Law. Jesus fulfilled the Law and provided a new Law … Grace. And in another similarity Moses was rejected by the people he came to rescue. Jesus was rejected by the people He came to rescue.

What is wonderful is both times God won. When God is in charge, when God is leading the way, when God is the one we trust, we will come out victorious. 

November 12 – Matthew 27 & Mark 15

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 27 & Mark 15. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

It is hard to imagine crucifixion as a good thing. Its history dates back all the way to the Assyrian Empire … the same empire that ended up destroying the northern kingdom of Israel in 725 B.C. It was a rather rudimentary procedure … they basically took a log, sharpened the end, impaled a person through their stomach and then placed the log in a hole in the ground to let the person slowly die. By the time the Romans arrived on the scene and the Jewish leaders chanted crucify, crucifixion had become a perfected art form, designed to cause the most excruciating death possible. Crucifixion could take hours, or days, or even up to a week to claim the life of its victim.

With all that in our minds it is hard to see the cross as anything but gory. So we have canceled all that out. We now look at the cross as a decoration for our churches and our homes. We now wear crosses on our necklaces. We now use the symbol as a marking that we belong to Christ. Why? Because of what Christ did on the cross. Christ paid our debt on the cross. The cross which was gory has now become a symbol of glory.

It is through Jesus that the terrible cross became beautiful. Think about that as you listen to the words of Selah’s song Beautiful Terrible Cross. If you cannot see the video in your RSS reader or email click here. 

October 29 – John 11

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from John 11. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Jesus says something rather remarkable in our reading today. Jesus has been close with three siblings from the Jerusalem suburb of Bethany. Lazarus, the brother and possible bread winner of this family has taken ill. Jesus is a considerable distance away from Bethany, but certainly close enough to come to the aid of Lazarus. However, when the news of his illness reaches Jesus ears, Jesus stays back and says … “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” (John 11:4 NLT) At first glance that statement does not seem all that remarkable but let’s break it down.

Jesus has insight into what will happen to Lazarus. Jesus knows that Lazarus is going to die. He also knows that He will bring Lazarus back to life. If you happened to be someone who was reading this for the first time you may not have picked up on that bit of information. But as someone who knows the story, who has read it multiple times, we are able to see the foreshadowing Jesus is giving. None of that is the amazing part.

What amazes me is the reason for death. Jesus is going to let Lazarus die, even though He has the ability to heal him remotely. Why? So that glory will come to Jesus and God through the resurrection. And that is exactly what happens. Many people believe and they could not keep quiet. God and Jesus were both being glorified for this event. But the glory does not stop here.

It is through this event that eventual glory will take place in Jesus own death and resurrection. Look at verse fifty-three again … “So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.” (John 11:53 NLT) Had Jesus not returned like His disciples advised Him to, then maybe something else would have been the catalyst for the crucifixion. But Jesus foreshadowed in a powerful way. Not only do we have the glory of the here and now event, but we have the glory of the cross from this one event. I find that remarkable.

So … on a side note, maybe the events in your life; the ups and downs, the joys and pains, the tears and laughter, are part of God orchestrating and event to bring Himself glory. Approaching situations with that mindset might help you through the trying times. 

October 23 – John 7 & 8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from John 7 & 8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

I love Jesus. Our reading today may just be one of the boldest two days of Jesus life. Here He is in Jerusalem, in the Temple area, and making some of the most outlandishly true statements of His ministry. Our reading opens up with His brothers encouraging Him to go to Jerusalem. They want Him to do publicly there what he has been doing in other regions. They are beginning to believe He is the political Messiah they have been waiting on. Jesus knows that He is not, and that the heat is too much, and that a trip to Jerusalem would possibly be deadly. He stays back, but only for a short amount of time.

In Jerusalem people are looking for Jesus but He is laying low. Finally He speaks and when He does, He gives them some bold proclamations …

“For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath? Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”” (John 7:23-24 NLT)

  

“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (John 7:37-38 NLT)

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT)

“Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” (John 8:19 NLT)

“No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!” (John 8:49-51 NLT)

“Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!” At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.” (John 8:58-59 NLT)

Jesus does not mince words. He speaks pointedly about who He is and who it that sent Him. While not everyone understands all that He says, it is clear that Jesus is calling God His father and making deity claims about Himself.

The question that remains for us is simple … are we willing to follow Jesus example and stand boldly in our world making the same claims to an unbelieving generation?

October 15 – Mark 4-5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Mark 4-5. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

In our reading today Jesus encounters a man who is possessed by demons. His case is severe. They have caused the man to live in a cemetery because of his wild behavior. He could no longer be restrained because he broke the chains and shackles. There was no one strong enough subdue the man and he spent his days wandering the hills and caves howling and hurting himself. When Jesus arrives on the scene he comes out to great Jesus. To a normal person we might have run at the sight of this man, but Jesus did not.

Why? Because the man came before Jesus paying the utmost respect and honor due to the creator of all things. Does that response startle you? It should. People do not just run up to someone and bow before them. It happens here because the demons possessing this man know who Jesus is, “With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, do not torture me!” (Mark 5:7 NLT) When this demon saw Jesus he knew immediately who he was.

While the people traveling with Jesus were still not sure who he was … remember the scene before in Mark 4 when Jesus calmed the storm they were left questioning who Jesus was that the wind and the waves obey him … this demon knows Jesus! There was no doubt in their minds who He was and why He was here on this earth. He was here to end the reign of Satan. He was here to end their reign of terror and ultimately crush evil and death.

Do you believe with the same conviction in Jesus that the demons did? While they rejected obedience to God, they believed in God, they believed in Jesus, and they knew that their days were numbered. This may sound odd, but we should develop the level of faith the demons possessed … just do not follow their example of obedience to God. 

June 20 – Ecclesiastes 7-12

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Ecclesiastes 7 - 12. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

 

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

In our reading today there was a lot of talk about death. There is a truth that exist that the most common fears in America remain the fear of public speaking and death. It is often joked that most people would rather be the guest of honor at their own funeral than the speaker at their own funeral. Many have a great fear of death … a fear that is fairly valid.

There is fear because death is unknown. What does it feel like to die? What exactly happens when we die? We are fearful because well, we do not really know the answers. There are not many who have died, who have really died, and come back to tell us about it. We do not really have the words of Lazarus, or the widow’s son Jesus raised to life, or even the son Elisha brought back from death. Jesus did not really talk about the dyeing experience. So our Biblical examples kind of leave us with no information on what dying feels like.

However, with that fear, we can also have some peace. The Bible paints a beautiful portrait of what waits those who belong to Christ after death. It is something I am looking forward to. Solomon seemed to have a grim view of death … “The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5 NLT) But we know there is a reward … in Christ there is eternity in Heaven before the throne of God. The reward is not for the death, the reward is for the life we live. Remember that as you live each day, drawing ever closer to your own physical death.

At West Side we believe highly in prayer. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

March 22 – Deuteronomy 32-34 and Psalm 91

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Deuteronomy 32-34 & Psalm 91. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

Moses has reached the end of his life. For forty years he lived in the luxuries of Egypt. For the next forty years he was a shepherd in the wilderness to his father-in-law’s sheep. For the last forty years he was shepherd to the nation of God’s people. He has lead these people through a lot. But because of his betrayal at the waters of Meribah at Kadesh, Moses did not get to go into the land.

God took him up on Mount Nebo where he got to see the whole Promised Land. I sometimes wander how this took place. On Interstate 68 in Maryland there is a mountain called Sideling Hill that the intestate cuts right through. Where it cuts through there is a rest area with a scenic overlook. From that scenic overlook you can see miles upon miles. But from that vantage point I cannot see all of Maryland. I would imagine like my view from Sideling Hill, Moses could not see all of the Promised Land. I sometimes wander what God did so that Moses could see it.

Regardless of how he saw it, he did, and it is here that Moses breathed his last. What I find interesting is this line in Moses’ story … “Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.” Deuteronomy 34:7 NLT. Moses had served his purpose. God has used him greatly. But Moses did not have complete faith in God, so he did not get the reward of entering the Promised Land even though his body said it could keep on going.

Friends, honor God with your entire life. Trust him with everything. Trust that God will do what God says he will do. Do not let the frustrations of the people around you, the situations you go through, and the struggle you have effect the way you interact with God. Moses paid the ultimate price for it with his life.

At West Side we are beginning a new prayer partner campaign. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

March 5 – Numbers 23-25

Below are my thoughts from the daily reading of the West Side Church of Christ in Lebanon, Ohio. Today’s reading comes from 23-25. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

We learn several lessons from our reading … first, when God is with you nothing our enemies can do will thwart Him, and secondly, for that God wants total devotion from us.

Balak wants desperately for Balaam to bless his people and curse the Israelites. Three times God reveals through Balaam that God is going to continue to be with Jacob and his people the Israelites while he will come against Moab the Israelites cousins from Abraham’s nephew Lot. This angers Balak, but Balaam reminds him that he can only speak the truth God provides. I know many of you reading are not part of West Side, but especially if you are, let me encourage you to pray that your ministers only speak the truth of God’s word. That when they preach or teach what they share and communicate is only the truth found in scripture. Let me assure you, I strive to only speak what Scripture can support. Please help keep me in check in that!

The story of Balak and Balaam is followed by an account where some of the men of Israel fall sexually into sin with Moabite women. What a contrast. God uses a man named Balaam to give Moab indication that God is going to be with Israel and not Moab. While that is going on, some of God’s people are falling into temptation, and in essence falling into false worship. God’s anger burns against the Israelites. God sends a plague on the people. In the midst of the plague an Israelite takes a Moabite woman into his tent. In righteous zeal for the Lord Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, takes a spear and drives it through both the man and the woman killing them both. God’s wrath was paid and “So the plague against the Israelites was stopped, but not before 24,000 people had died.” Numbers 25:8-9 NLT.

The Israelites had spent so much time immersed in Egypt and not focusing on God that in a lot of ways they do not truly know God. Their weak faith has been proven over and over. Their weak faith has caused them forty years in the wilderness. God wanted to give them the Promised Land, but they did not deserve it. Their children would inherit it. Their children would inherit it because they would grow up knowing God and having no other option but to trust God in their wandering. This is shown in Phinehas’ actions against a fellow Israelite. Friends … do your best to train your children to trust in the Lord because of the positive examples of faith you set in their lives not the negative like Israel did. Demonstrate what total devotion to the Lord looks like and receive his blessings in a powerful way!

At West Side we are beginning a new prayer partner campaign. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.

February 21 – Leviticus 24-25

Today’s reading comes from Leviticus 24-25. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

Today’s reading really spoke to an Issue I really find repulsive in our culture today. You cannot turn on the TV, walk into a store, have a conversation or receive a text message without hearing “Oh my God” or reading OMG. I understand the phrase “Oh my God” has permeated our culture to the point where people are not saying it to offend God or to summon his wrath, sadly it is simply a saying of astonishment. It has permeated our culture so much so that I hear many in our churches use it as part of their vernacular.

To be transparent … whenever I hear someone using “Oh my God,” especially more when it comes from a fellow Christians; my blood boils. And I think it should. Jesus, the Son of God died to save me from my sins. Since the sin of the Garden he has been on a relentless pursuit of me and you to restore our relationship. He is master, creator, sustainer, and deliver. He is worthy to not have his name spoken in a flippant nonchalant way.

After reading the passage today, I believe he feels the same way. We saw a young man blaspheme the name of the Lord … blasphemes means to “speak carelessly, falsely or insultingly about God or holy things” … and you know what his punishment was … death ordered by God. (Leviticus 24:10-16) God takes his name seriously. I think we should too. When we casually say things such as “Oh my God” we are blaspheming the name of God. We are blaspheming the one who saved us. It should enrage us to hear others use that name in flippant and casual way, especially those who call him Lord and savior. I do not know about you but there is no curse word that angers me more than hearing people use my fathers name in such a way. I hope it does you as well.

At West Side we are beginning a new prayer partner campaign. We are asking people to join with us in praying daily for West Side. If you would like to join us please click here and subscribe to receive daily emails containing a short prayer request for West Side. We appreciate your partnership.