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Thursday, March 11, 2010 Reading for the Day John 1-2 and Hebrews 3-4 Focus on John 1:1

Jehovah’s Witnesses focus on John 1:1 as a verse in Scripture that shows Jesus wasn’t THE God, but that Jesus is "a god".  They make this statement based on their reading of the original Greek text of John 1:1.  In English we typically read:  In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.  The Jehovah’s Witnesses “translate” it: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was a god.  They translate it this way because the word God in the Greek doesn’t have a definite article—a “the” in front of it, as it frequently does in the New Testament.  The problem with their translation is that we find many other places in the New Testament where the word God appears without a definite article and there is absolutely no doubt that those verses refer to the one, true and living God.  We can’t simply pick and choose when the word means God and when it means a god for the sake of our opinions.   The founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses couldn’t even read Greek, and yet he provided an English “translation” from it.  As followers of Jesus we don’t have to learn Greek in order to understand the Bible, but what we must do as we read God’s word in English is recognize that EVERY English translation is a commentary.  It shows the assumptions and sometimes the theology of the translators.  I like to compare several English translations when I'm reading the Bible, because then I get a fuller understanding of a text.  Since, I can read Greek, I’ll get out the Greek Bible when I have questions and see if the original language sheds any light.  Thankfully, the original language does NOT confirm the Jehovah’s Witnesses assumption that Jesus is merely a god instead of THE God.  As followers of Jesus, who believe that Jesus IS fully God and fully human, it’s important for us to understand the strong case that John chapter one makes for that truth!

Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus as the Word who became flesh and lived among us! Thank You for revealing Yourself to us in such a clear and helpful way.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may, also reveal You to others through Your love and grace in me.  This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wednesday Weigh In #Lifechange, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

186

Okay, obviously beer, fish, and pizza help me loose weight. Seriously, we ate out everymeal this past weekend. But I did pay attention to what I ordered and ate. For example, at Willies (a local pub) I usually would order a large fish sandwich, I ordered a small and still walked out satisfied. At AppleBees I chose the 7 ounce steak instead of the 10, & the steamed veggies instead of the baked potato loaded with butter & sour cream. I also have been working a ton in the attic attempting to finish things up. I'm happy to finally be a loser. Even if it is only a few pounds.

Project 365: 69 'Jif', originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Is there any other kind?

Project 365: 68 'Power', originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Wed., March 10, 2010 Reading for the Day Luke 24 and Hebrews 1-2 Focus on Luke 24:1-12

I have always loved the angels’ question in Luke 24:5, “Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive?”  Or as the NIV puts it, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”  How often does that describe us?  We say God’s in charge of our lives, and yet we get in a tough situation and forget to call out to Him for help.  We think we’re all alone.  We worry about so many things in life, when Jesus told us NOT to worry.   We find ourselves looking in the tomb for a dead Jesus, when He’s ALIVE!  We can fault the women for not remembering that Jesus told them He was going to rise from the dead, but then we’d have to fault ourselves, too, for forgetting so often the promises Jesus has made to us.  What’s happening in your life right now that needs God’s attention?  Is it a relationship?  Your finances?  A situation at school or work?  Have you gone to Jesus FIRST?  The longer I live, the more I realize how seldom my FIRST response is Jesus.  Yes, there are times when I turn to Him before trying to solve a problem myself, and those times are more frequent than they used to be, but they’re still not consistent.  As we go about this day, let’s remember the angels’ message to the women---He isn’t here among the dead.  He’s alive!  When you encounter your first challenge today – turn to the living Lord before looking around in the tomb.  Deal?

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for raising Jesus from the dead and showing us once and for all that nothing is too hard for You!  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may honor you in every situation and in every relationship of my life.  This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 Reading for the Day Luke 23 and Philemon 1 Focus on Luke 23:39-43

As Jesus was dying on the cross, the thieves who were crucified on either side of Him started joining those who were mocking Jesus.  Actually, one of them started mocking Jesus, while the other stood up for Him.  The thief who stood up for Jesus understood the reality that sin has consequences.  He reminded the other thief that they were hanging on crosses because they deserved it for their “evil deeds.” Then he pointed out that Jesus was innocent.  We don’t know how the thief beside Jesus knew this.  Perhaps it was the way Jesus handled the whole crucifixion event.  Jesus had asked God to forgive those who crucified Him.  That’s not the act of a criminal!  Jesus had made sure that His mother would be care for after His death—while He hung on the cross.  When the crowds insulted Him, He didn’t say a word.  Jesus’ attitude even while hanging on the cross was that of a servant. The thief recognized that Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah, and he asked for forgiveness.  Jesus gave it!  The thief’s reconciliation with God just moments or hours before his death shows us that it’s never too late—as long as we’re still breathing—to repent of our sin and turn to God.  God has given me the opportunity to offer the gift of salvation to a number of folks who were on their “death beds,” and some of them have responded.  One time in particular, it seemed so sad to me that a man came to know Jesus just two days before he died.  He really “got it” when he was saved.  He realized how he had wasted his life in the pursuit of things instead of the pursuit of God.  His wife was a believer and he had basically forbidden her from attending church, because Sundays were the best days for pursuing the things he sought in life.  I thought the wife would be upset that when her husband finally trusted Jesus, and they could have had Jesus in common, that he was gone.  Instead, she said that God had been so gracious to her husband, keeping him alive just long enough that he would spend eternity with God, instead of separated from Him!  Do you know anyone who doesn’t know Jesus, who’s getting close to that time when life here will end?  Actually, that could be any of us at any moment, but the odds are not in favor of some because they are at the age when they will be seeing Jesus soon.  What will you do to help ensure that when that person sees Jesus it will be as a friend instead of as an enemy?

Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for giving me the opportunity to know Jesus as my Savior and Lord!  I pray for those who don’t know Him, and especially for those who like the thief on the cross, may only have moments or hours.  Let them turn to Jesus.  Let them trust in Him!  This I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Things in life which are always relative
Taste

It’s subjective if others’ eyes for fashion trends, color, and balance seem better or worse than your own. There is more than one direction for popular music, hot neighborhoods, and any other way you spend your cash. (Some even consider it fashionable to spend as little cash as  possible.)

Intellect

There is constant debate over how to measure the intelligence, but we can agree that no one mind is superior in all things to every other mind.

Personality and Beauty

Our minds are programed by other people, intentionally or not. That is why we have dog people and cat people. Beatles and Elvis. Punks and politicians.

Ignorance

You know more than those poor, under-informed fools, but someone knows all you know and more, you konw. I know because if you were the wold’s authority on a particular subject you’d be turning over every rock for answers. If you don’t understand that, then you’re the real fool here.

Morality

There are people who dedicate their lives to reach perfection. It’s been my understanding they can never make it there on their own.

Some stuff we find in absolutes

Honesty Empathy Justice Law Stupidity Mortality

You should never look down on anyone.

You will, of course, because you are human.

Try to forgive yourself, and then keep practicing.

—

Photo “Lego Relativity” by Skip The Budgie

Photo “Travelers” by m.toyama

Tagged: Lent, penance, truth

“You have a blog? Really?”

“Yeah. I have a couple, actually. I have one where I write longer stuff, mostly about me. Another is a shorter stuff, not as much about me. Then there are other places to write stuff not about me at all.”

“Does the one about you impress the girls for you?”

“Probably not. It does seem like mostly women read my blog, but they’re all married friends. I would prefer girls not discover me by way of my inner monologue.”

“I’ve always wanted to listen in on my husband’s inner monologue.”

Photo by found_drama

Tagged: bloggin

Project 365: 67 'Warehouse', originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Project 365: 66 'Need A Sink?', originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Pick a sink. Saw this at Construction Junction.

Monday, March 8  Read Luke 22, Titus 1-3  Focus on Luke 22:19-20

Yesterday in worship we celebrated the Lord’s Supper.  I pointed out that when Jesus gave the disciples the bread, He said, “This is my body GIVEN for you,” not “This is my body BROKEN for you,” as many liturgies of the Lord’s Supper say.  Here is the actual account from Luke 22:19-20:  19Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This wine is the token of God’s new covenant to save you—an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.”  You may ask, “What’s the difference?”  The difference is significant.  One of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah was that not a single bone of His body would be broken.  That means if Jesus’ body was literally “broken” for us, He could not have been the Messiah.  In fact, Jesus body was beaten, battered, and nearly mutilated through the whipping He received before the crucifixion and the crucifixion itself, but not a bone was broken.  When the two thieves crucified next to Jesus had their legs broken to ensure their death at the end of the crucifixion, Jesus’ legs were NOT broken, because He was already dead.  The point of all this is that even when it came to the most minute detail of prophecy concerning the Messiah, Jesus fulfilled it.  When we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and hear the words of institution, “This is My body, given for you…” let us remember both that Jesus gave His body freely in exchange for ours on the cross, and that the giving rather than breaking of Jesus’ body fulfilled prophecy and deepened our assurance that Jesus is, indeed, the Messiah, and our Savior and Lord!

Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving Jesus to us, and for Jesus’ great sacrifice on our behalf.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit this day that I may live boldly and confidently in You, knowing that my salvation is sure in Him!  This I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Sunday, March 7   Read Luke 21, 2 Timothy 3-4  Focus on 2 Timothy 3:15-17

2 Timothy 3:15-17 is one of the clearest passage in the Bible on the importance of the Bible! As Paul drew to the close of his second letter, to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy, he reminded him of the source of his wisdom, and of his salvation.  Let’s look again at these vital verses:  15You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.  Timothy held a great advantage in following Jesus—he had been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood.  I have held that same advantage in my life.  Thankfully, I have been reading and studying God’s word since I learned to read, and really before that, because in Sunday School and worship I learned the accounts of God and His people each week.  Paul tells us that God’s word IS God’s word because every, single word of it is INSPIRED by God.  Inspired by God literally means “God breathed.”  That makes it useful for teaching us what is right and for realizing what is wrong.  As we read verses 16 and 17 we see all the ways Scripture builds into us as God’s people.  When the New Testament Challenge concludes in another 21 day, My prayer is we will ALL continue reading His word every day, that we may be inspired by Him and empowered by Him to live out our faith in such a way that others will see us as their “Bible.”  After all, as someone has said we may be the only Bible some people ever read—at least until they come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  Wouldn’t it be awesome if a person’s “reading” of us today, led to their trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord?

Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for giving us the Bible!  Thank You for using it to teach us about You and to lead us to You.  Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to apply what we read today, to bring You glory and honor.  This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Project 365: 65 'Oil Change', originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Saturday, March 6 Read Luke 20, 2 Timothy 1-2  Focus on 2 Timothy 1:5-9

When we read the Apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy it is obvious how much Paul loved Timothy and felt like a father to him.  We don’t know whether Paul had any biological children, or even whether he was ever married, although it seems doubtful from his letters.  Yet, Paul had many spiritual “sons.”  As 2 Timothy begins, Paul reminded Timothy of his spiritual heritage. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were believers.  Timothy’s faith was awakened or deepened by a ministry of prayer and laying on of hands by Paul.  Paul showed the depth of his understanding of Timothy when he encouraged him to be courageous and to remember that God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear or timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.  It seems that Timothy may have been prone to fear and anxiety.  He may have been physically weak, since Paul elsewhere advised him to take a little wine for his stomach.  Yet, God used Timothy in powerful ways.  That’s because God isn’t dependent on worthy “vessels,” only willing ones.  Since the Holy Spirit provides the power, love and self-discipline we need in our lives, all that’s required of any of us is that we are willing to give control of our lives to Him.  As Paul mentored Timothy, a young man who already had a heritage of faith, the Holy Spirit empowered Him to live faithfully and lead effectively.  He will do the same in every area of our lives, too, when we submit ourselves to the Spirit and live in His power!

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your word written to instruct, challenge and encourage us!  Thank You for Paul investing in Timothy’s life, so that Timothy could invest in others lives for the advancement of Your Kingdom.  I pray that I will invest in others lives, and that I will allow others to invest in me that my wisdom will grow, and I will make a difference in my generation and in those that come after me for Your glory and honor.  This I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Project 365: 64 Book Worm, originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

Friday, March 5 Read Luke 19, 1 Timothy 4-6  Focus on Luke 19:1-10 and 1 Tim. 6:17-19

Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus and Paul’s instruction to Timothy regarding those who are “rich” in this world serve as interesting cases in the use of money.  Zacchaeus, the tax collector, worked with and around money.  Most tax collectors in Jesus’ day were dishonest.  Zacchaeus may have been. Yet, when Jesus came into Zacchaeus’ life, the change was immediate and dramatic.  Now, money instead of being the goal and focus of Zacchaeus’ life, became a tool for showing his love of God.  Money’s hold on Zacchaeus was broken, and now he could live as a “son of Abraham”, as a true member of God’s family.  In the same way, Paul told Timothy to tell those of us who are rich in this world, and that includes ALL of us who are reading this and live in middle class America, to use it wisely.  We may not feel rich, but by comparison with the remainder of the world we are.  Paul’s admonitions include using money for God’s purposes, not trusting in money—or making it our God, and helping others with it. These were the very things Zacchaeus did immediately and naturally once Jesus came into his life.  Larry Burkett used to say that when a person is truly converted to faith in Jesus there’s a noticeable impact on that person’s use of money.  Today’s Scriptures underline and confirm that.  May we be faithful stewards of all God’s blessings in our lives.  May we use money to win people for God, rather than using people to gain our own selfish desires.  May we use money as a servant to provide blessing to others, and never let it enslave us!

Heavenly Father, You are the owner of everything.  I am a steward, a manager, of what You entrust to me.  Empower me by Your Spirit to be a faithful and trustworthy steward, investing the wealth You provide me to provide for my family and to open the door to Your kingdom to others.  This I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

I hope you're planning to join us in worship this Sunday as we continue the New Testament Challenge!  Our focus for Sunday is The Challenge of Godliness! In a nutshell, godliness is becoming more like Jesus.  What a worthy investment of our lives--becoming more like Jesus.  Imagine the revolution in our world if each of us would become a little more like Jesus every day of our lives!  That's the goal, and that's the focus for Sunday.  We'll also be celebrating the Lord's Supper, and as always the music will be jammin'!   Hope to see YOU there!

Thursday, March 4 Read Luke 18, 1 Timothy 1-3  Focus on Luke 18:35-42

Many times in the gospels as Jesus traveled from one place to the next people sought Him out that He would hear them or heal them.  In today’s Scripture from Luke 18:35-42, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road.  He heard the noise of a crowd passing by him and asked what was happening.  When the people near him told him that Jesus was passing by he started shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  How did the blind man KNOW that Jesus was the Son of David?  Was this something God revealed to him?  Was it a conjecture based on the rumors he must have heard even though he couldn’t see?  Whatever it was, the blind man realized Jesus was his one chance to receive his sight.  People tried to tell him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more.  Eventually, Jesus heard him, and ordered for the man to be brought to him.  When the man stood in front of Jesus, his disability would have been apparent.  Beggars wore special cloaks in that day.  A blind man would have stood out, because he wouldn’t have been able to see Jesus.  Even so Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”  Why would Jesus ask THAT question?  The answer was “staring” Jesus in the face.  Then again, as long as the man was a blind beggar, he was assured of the pity of the crowds, and probably of coins for food.  What if his vision WAS restored?  What then?  Those answers were unknown, but the man didn’t hesitate, “Lord, I want to see!”  As soon as Jesus heard the answer, He said, “All right, you can see! Your faith has healed you.”  Really?  Was it Jesus or the man’s faith that gave him back his sight?  Jesus said it was the man’s faith.  The man probably spent the rest of his life giving Jesus the credit---and they were both right!  As we’re reminded in Philippians 2:12-13 we have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, AND God is at work in us.  Our part, God’s part—both are necessary, or blind people stay blind, hurting people keep hurting, lost people stay lost. That’s not because God can take care of all those things with a word.  It’s because He wants us to participate in it and experience the joy of being part of becoming whole—whether for ourselves or others.  What do you and I want Jesus to do for us?

Heavenly Father, I pray right now that You will heal me of any physical or spiritual problem in my life.  I want to be made whole!  In the name of Jesus, glorify Yourself by restoring me to all You want me to be and have.  This I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Project 365: 62 'Blue', originally uploaded by ninelives.1972.

I've missed the blue sky...