Below is the daily Bible reading I am doing for the West Side Church. Feel free to follow along.
In today’s reading (Psalms 23 & 24) we find a passage that describes who gets to ascend the hill of the Lord? In this reading it describes one with clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol, and someone who doesn’t swear by what is false. As I was reading that I said there is no man that matches that to a T.
That is why we need a Savior. Christ came into this world to remove that sin from us. Christ is standing before God saying I paid their debt, they are free to enter. That is the God we serve. That is the God we call upon. No other God in any other religion came to earth die for mankind.
Just another thought. I love when I am reading through the Psalms and a song that I love to sing starts playing through my head. Does that happen to any of you?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A Voice in the Dark
Below is the daily Bible reading I am doing for the West Side Church. Please feel free to follow along.
In today’s reading (Psalms 21 & 22) we see David crying out to God at a time that seems like God is not listening.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.”
We see David seeking the help and guidance of God, but for some reason God is not responding and is not providing the answers David seeks. I am sure we can all relate to this time period in David’s life. We have cried out to God, asking him for guidance, help, or many other things, but have not had the response we were looking for.
I recently had some friends whose grandmother passed away. They had been praying for nearly a year that her cancer would leave her. It didn’t, and it seemed the more they prayed the worst it got. The bone cancer recently turned into Leukemia, and then finally into tumors in the brain. This past week their grandma went home to be with God. These girls specific prayers were not answered they way they wanted them to be.
They could have felt like God wasn’t listening. They could have even turned their backs on God. But they didn’t. They continue to put their faith and praise in God. After their grandma past one of the girls posted this on her Facebook page … “My Granny is finally at peace, In Heaven praising her Lord!! No more suffering, just happiness :) Praise God!!!!” These girls knew the lesson that David was learning.
We must remember that God’s plans are bigger than our plans. What we might be praying for may not be what’s best for us. We must remember to continue praising God, because what he works out will be far better than we could ever imagine. I know it might hurt, and might be really tough, but the creator of the universe, the creator of YOU is at work, and he is creating another master piece.
In today’s reading (Psalms 21 & 22) we see David crying out to God at a time that seems like God is not listening.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.”
We see David seeking the help and guidance of God, but for some reason God is not responding and is not providing the answers David seeks. I am sure we can all relate to this time period in David’s life. We have cried out to God, asking him for guidance, help, or many other things, but have not had the response we were looking for.
I recently had some friends whose grandmother passed away. They had been praying for nearly a year that her cancer would leave her. It didn’t, and it seemed the more they prayed the worst it got. The bone cancer recently turned into Leukemia, and then finally into tumors in the brain. This past week their grandma went home to be with God. These girls specific prayers were not answered they way they wanted them to be.
They could have felt like God wasn’t listening. They could have even turned their backs on God. But they didn’t. They continue to put their faith and praise in God. After their grandma past one of the girls posted this on her Facebook page … “My Granny is finally at peace, In Heaven praising her Lord!! No more suffering, just happiness :) Praise God!!!!” These girls knew the lesson that David was learning.
We must remember that God’s plans are bigger than our plans. What we might be praying for may not be what’s best for us. We must remember to continue praising God, because what he works out will be far better than we could ever imagine. I know it might hurt, and might be really tough, but the creator of the universe, the creator of YOU is at work, and he is creating another master piece.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Setting the Stage
Below is the daily Bible reading I am doing for the West Side Church. Please feel free to follow along.
When we started the book of Acts I did a posting on the background of the book. One of the things I mentioned in that background was why Luke wrote the book. One of the ideas is that it was part of Paul’s defense before Caesar. If this is the purpose of the book, then today’s reading (Acts 13) can be viewed as a transition chapter as well as a chapter setting the stage for things to come.
One of the first transitions we see in today’s reading is Saul’s change of name to Paul … “Then Saul who was also called Paul.” A lot of people read a lot into this. They want to say that because of the tremendous change in his life he was given a new name by God. This would be similar to the name change of Abram to Abraham, and even more like Jacob to Israel. While this might be completely right, I think we are making the name change too complicated.
At this point in Saul’s ministry he has been in and near the area of Palestine. He has been working in Hebrew speaking areas with Hebrew speaking people. Thus his Hebrew name was Saul. But Saul and Barnabas are now leaving the area of Palestine to do ministry. They are heading into a Greek dominated area. Could it be as simple as Paul was the Greek equivalent of his name? This tends to be the theory I buy into. And if this is a dissertation before Caesar then later in the book it would do no good to go back to calling him Saul when he is in Jerusalem again.
As we read on we can clearly see that this is a transitional chapter. Before the focus has been on Peter and his ministry with a few insights into Saul’s life. From here on out the focus is on Paul. In this chapter we see Paul and Barnabas begin their evangelism to the city of Pisidian in the synagogue. This would be Paul’s basic operating procedure. With each new town he comes to the first thing he does is seek out some Jews. Often times he would be welcomed to speak in the Synagogue. Why would he start there? Because these people are waiting on the messiah. He knows the messiah and can share that message with them.
But we learn in today’s reading that those in the Pisidian reject his message and throw him and Barnabas out (Barnabas is on of my favorite character in the pages of Acts). So Paul makes his declaration … while he will almost always begin with the Jews of a city, his real mission is to reach Gentiles. That is why from here on out his evangelistic efforts will be with the Greek part of the Roman Empire. He is no longer focusing on the Palestine, but branching out. He is beginning his missionary journeys.
We see his name change, and we also learn his basic approach to missions in today’s reading. Monday we will see him as he begins to reach lost people for Christ.
When we started the book of Acts I did a posting on the background of the book. One of the things I mentioned in that background was why Luke wrote the book. One of the ideas is that it was part of Paul’s defense before Caesar. If this is the purpose of the book, then today’s reading (Acts 13) can be viewed as a transition chapter as well as a chapter setting the stage for things to come.
One of the first transitions we see in today’s reading is Saul’s change of name to Paul … “Then Saul who was also called Paul.” A lot of people read a lot into this. They want to say that because of the tremendous change in his life he was given a new name by God. This would be similar to the name change of Abram to Abraham, and even more like Jacob to Israel. While this might be completely right, I think we are making the name change too complicated.
At this point in Saul’s ministry he has been in and near the area of Palestine. He has been working in Hebrew speaking areas with Hebrew speaking people. Thus his Hebrew name was Saul. But Saul and Barnabas are now leaving the area of Palestine to do ministry. They are heading into a Greek dominated area. Could it be as simple as Paul was the Greek equivalent of his name? This tends to be the theory I buy into. And if this is a dissertation before Caesar then later in the book it would do no good to go back to calling him Saul when he is in Jerusalem again.
As we read on we can clearly see that this is a transitional chapter. Before the focus has been on Peter and his ministry with a few insights into Saul’s life. From here on out the focus is on Paul. In this chapter we see Paul and Barnabas begin their evangelism to the city of Pisidian in the synagogue. This would be Paul’s basic operating procedure. With each new town he comes to the first thing he does is seek out some Jews. Often times he would be welcomed to speak in the Synagogue. Why would he start there? Because these people are waiting on the messiah. He knows the messiah and can share that message with them.
But we learn in today’s reading that those in the Pisidian reject his message and throw him and Barnabas out (Barnabas is on of my favorite character in the pages of Acts). So Paul makes his declaration … while he will almost always begin with the Jews of a city, his real mission is to reach Gentiles. That is why from here on out his evangelistic efforts will be with the Greek part of the Roman Empire. He is no longer focusing on the Palestine, but branching out. He is beginning his missionary journeys.
We see his name change, and we also learn his basic approach to missions in today’s reading. Monday we will see him as he begins to reach lost people for Christ.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Screaming Scripture
Below is the daily Bible reading I am doing for the West Side Church. Please feel free to follow along.
Peter has been sitting in jail. James the brother of John, so James the Apostle, has been arrested and killed by Herod. Now the page has turned to Peter. He has been sitting in jail. An angel comes and rescues Peter, releasing his chains, opening the cell doors and providing a way out of prison. Peter then shows up at John–Mark’s house where a group has gathered to pray for Peter.
This is where God’s Word started screaming (I was a little shocked when it did this, I wanted to yell back, and weirdly it kind of sounded like Ty Pennington with his bullhorn ). This is when I asked if I have ever been a part of a church that does this. You see back in Acts 2:42 we get a basic look at what the early church did together … “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” As I look at many churches I see them doing each of these things on some level. But when I read Acts 12:12 I see what 2:42 meant about prayer.
They did not just meet once a week and say a couple of prayers during their Sunday morning service. They did not just start their Sunday School with a time of prayer request and praises followed by a short prayer recapping all of that. They did not just start their Small Group with a short time of prayer. They prayed. They allowed the spirit to lead and they poured their heart out. The reason they were at the house of John-Marks mother was to prayer for the safety of Peter. They met for that one and only one reason.
Do we meet to pray? Do you come together for just that one purpose? I wander how we would all feel if we just took one Sunday morning and all we did was pray? I am not talking about sharing prayer request and praises, but I am talking about getting on our hands and knees and praying. Or what if we had someone who suddenly had tragedy strike in their family and a group of people got together in someone’s home and prayed into the wee hours of the morning? I wander how our church would look if we did that. Unfortunately this is a foreign concept to many.
Image borrow from site girlgonehealthy.com
Something stood out to me as I read today’s reading (Acts 12). Actually it did not just stand out to me it screamed out to me and made me ask the question … have I ever been a part of a church that does this?
Peter has been sitting in jail. James the brother of John, so James the Apostle, has been arrested and killed by Herod. Now the page has turned to Peter. He has been sitting in jail. An angel comes and rescues Peter, releasing his chains, opening the cell doors and providing a way out of prison. Peter then shows up at John–Mark’s house where a group has gathered to pray for Peter.
This is where God’s Word started screaming (I was a little shocked when it did this, I wanted to yell back, and weirdly it kind of sounded like Ty Pennington with his bullhorn ). This is when I asked if I have ever been a part of a church that does this. You see back in Acts 2:42 we get a basic look at what the early church did together … “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” As I look at many churches I see them doing each of these things on some level. But when I read Acts 12:12 I see what 2:42 meant about prayer.
They did not just meet once a week and say a couple of prayers during their Sunday morning service. They did not just start their Sunday School with a time of prayer request and praises followed by a short prayer recapping all of that. They did not just start their Small Group with a short time of prayer. They prayed. They allowed the spirit to lead and they poured their heart out. The reason they were at the house of John-Marks mother was to prayer for the safety of Peter. They met for that one and only one reason.
Do we meet to pray? Do you come together for just that one purpose? I wander how we would all feel if we just took one Sunday morning and all we did was pray? I am not talking about sharing prayer request and praises, but I am talking about getting on our hands and knees and praying. Or what if we had someone who suddenly had tragedy strike in their family and a group of people got together in someone’s home and prayed into the wee hours of the morning? I wander how our church would look if we did that. Unfortunately this is a foreign concept to many.
Image borrow from site girlgonehealthy.com
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
He Keeps His Promise
Below is the daily Bible reading I am doing for the West Side Church. Please feel free to follow along.
I want to jump back to the last chapter and last verses in the book of Matthew. Here Jesus is about to ascend into heaven and leave his disciples on earth for the last time. He gives them his final command as well as their commission as Apostles and disciples … “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Many Christians and churches use this verse to support their missions work as well as their outreach programs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, in fact not only was it the Apostles commission, it was the whole churches commission.
However, I think too many times we forget the end of that verse. At the end of that verse Jesus gives a promise. He tells his disciples that if they carry out that commission … to make disciples of all nations, by baptizing them and teaching them (disciple them) … then he will be with them always. In essence, if we carry the message of the gospel, if we bring people into a life saving connection with Christ he is going to be with us as we do it.
In today’s reading (Acts 11) we see that promise being fulfilled. “The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” As they tested new waters, whether it be a distant land or a new group of people … Greeks … the Lord’s hand was with them. He hadn’t forgotten them. He was there protecting them, guiding them, and even providing a fruitful crop for their labors.
I think sometimes we are afraid to share the gospel with our co-workers or relatives because we do not know what to say. Sometimes we are hesitant because we may be afraid of how they will respond. But remember if you are carrying out this commission in your life you have the promise that God will be with you as you do so. What an amazing promise. So get out there and share the message of Christ.
I want to jump back to the last chapter and last verses in the book of Matthew. Here Jesus is about to ascend into heaven and leave his disciples on earth for the last time. He gives them his final command as well as their commission as Apostles and disciples … “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Many Christians and churches use this verse to support their missions work as well as their outreach programs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, in fact not only was it the Apostles commission, it was the whole churches commission.
However, I think too many times we forget the end of that verse. At the end of that verse Jesus gives a promise. He tells his disciples that if they carry out that commission … to make disciples of all nations, by baptizing them and teaching them (disciple them) … then he will be with them always. In essence, if we carry the message of the gospel, if we bring people into a life saving connection with Christ he is going to be with us as we do it.
In today’s reading (Acts 11) we see that promise being fulfilled. “The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” As they tested new waters, whether it be a distant land or a new group of people … Greeks … the Lord’s hand was with them. He hadn’t forgotten them. He was there protecting them, guiding them, and even providing a fruitful crop for their labors.
I think sometimes we are afraid to share the gospel with our co-workers or relatives because we do not know what to say. Sometimes we are hesitant because we may be afraid of how they will respond. But remember if you are carrying out this commission in your life you have the promise that God will be with you as you do so. What an amazing promise. So get out there and share the message of Christ.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Another Big Move
Below is the daily Bible reading I am doing for the West Side Church. Please feel free to follow along.
A couple of days ago we talked about the fact that every time God is ready to extend the kingdom to a new group of people he does something big. That is what today’s reading (Acts 10) is all about.
Last week we witnessed God extending the Kingdom to Samaritans and a Jew from Ethiopia. Today we see God extend the family of God to Gentiles. In the text Cornelius was called a “God-fearing” man. There are two types of people who come to Judaism at this time. One was a God-fearer and the other was a proselyte. A God-fearer was a person who bought into Judaism, lived by its teachings, but had not gone all the way. A proselyte bought in 100%. For males this meant going so far as to be circumcised. (Want an interesting discussion sometime, have a group of Jr. Church kids ask you what circumcision is. Then tell them to ask their parents, and then the parents come to you and ask you what it is. It happened to me once.) This step would have been major commitment for a grown man to go that far. Cornelius was a God-fearer, which left him 100% Gentile.
God is ready to show Peter that his church is for all nations, just not Jews and people closely related to Judaism. God sends a vision to Cornelius, God gives a tripped out vision to Peter, He uses Cornelius’ men to lead Peter back, and while Peter is talking He pours out the Holy Spirit. Immediately when that happened everyone got that God’s grace was not just for Jews but for all man.
Does God have to work in powerful ways to get you to see the full picture he has for your life? Sometimes he does. But I wander, if we were a little more in tune with God, would he have to work in such big ways? Or are his plans to big for us to even grasp at times? These are questions I may not have complete answers for.
A couple of days ago we talked about the fact that every time God is ready to extend the kingdom to a new group of people he does something big. That is what today’s reading (Acts 10) is all about.
Last week we witnessed God extending the Kingdom to Samaritans and a Jew from Ethiopia. Today we see God extend the family of God to Gentiles. In the text Cornelius was called a “God-fearing” man. There are two types of people who come to Judaism at this time. One was a God-fearer and the other was a proselyte. A God-fearer was a person who bought into Judaism, lived by its teachings, but had not gone all the way. A proselyte bought in 100%. For males this meant going so far as to be circumcised. (Want an interesting discussion sometime, have a group of Jr. Church kids ask you what circumcision is. Then tell them to ask their parents, and then the parents come to you and ask you what it is. It happened to me once.) This step would have been major commitment for a grown man to go that far. Cornelius was a God-fearer, which left him 100% Gentile.
God is ready to show Peter that his church is for all nations, just not Jews and people closely related to Judaism. God sends a vision to Cornelius, God gives a tripped out vision to Peter, He uses Cornelius’ men to lead Peter back, and while Peter is talking He pours out the Holy Spirit. Immediately when that happened everyone got that God’s grace was not just for Jews but for all man.
Does God have to work in powerful ways to get you to see the full picture he has for your life? Sometimes he does. But I wander, if we were a little more in tune with God, would he have to work in such big ways? Or are his plans to big for us to even grasp at times? These are questions I may not have complete answers for.
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