Matthew 12:1-5 (NLT)
1 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.” 3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. 5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?
In these verses the Pharisees challenge Jesus about the law of the Sabbath. Their contention was there was to be no work done on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were saying it was wrong to pick grain off the stalk to eat it. Had the grain been picked and available for eating there would not have been a problem. Jesus responded with examples of exceptions.
Even today like the Pharisees there are those who try to enforce strict religious rules upon people. I read a comment the other day about someone putting up a Christmas tree and the response they got was “why are you celebrating a heathen ritual?” I can agree there was a point in history where there were ceremonial trees for non-Christian rituals, but does that automatically make a Christmas tree bad? I would say the answer is no, because it the heart of a person that matters. If they are putting up decorations as a way of commemorating Christ then what is wrong with that action? There are some who believe in magical powers of crystals, but there are also people who just enjoy the beauty of a crystal that God formed. The laws were meant to guide people, but when Christ entered into the hearts of people He let them see what is right and what is wrong. Yes, worshiping a tree might be wrong, but allowing it to be a decoration cannot be held against a person. Let go of rules and let Christ instead rule within your heart.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
A hot-tempered person does not see their own problem
Proverbs 29:22 (NLT)
22 An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.
Matthew Henry comments, “See here the mischief that flows from an angry, passionate, furious disposition. 1. It makes men provoking to one another: An angry man stirs up strife, is troublesome and quarrelsome in the family and in the neighbourhood, blows the coals, and even forces those to fall out with him that would live peaceable and quietly by him. 2. It makes men provoking to God: A furious man, who is wedded to his humours and passions, cannot but abound in transgressions. Undue anger is a sin which is the cause of many sins; it not only hinders men from calling upon God’s name, but it occasions their swearing, and cursing, and profaning God’s name. “
From Andy Stanley’s sermon Let the Blames Begin he says - I used to do a lot of marriage counseling, and often one spouse would come in the office and start ranting and raving, "My husband does this …;" "My wife never will do that …;" and it would go on and on. I would sit there thinking, this counseling isn't going to be very effective, because the person who apparently needs to change isn't even in the room. So I would get a pad of paper, draw a circle on it, and say, "This is a pie that represents all the chaos in your marriage. Now, 100 percent of the blame is in that pie, because that's where all the chaos is." I would give them the pen and say, "I want you to draw a slice of pie that you think represents your responsibility for the chaos." The piece of pie that that client would draw was never very big, but I would say, "Okay. So why don't you and I talk about just this. Let's talk about this piece that is your responsibility. Let's talk about your slice." You know what? My approach never worked. I could never get anybody to stay on his or her slice of the pie.
So here is what I want you to do this week: As you experience relational conflict at work, at home, with your friends—any conflict of any sort, big or small—stop and think about your own slice of the pie. Ask yourself, what is in my slice of the pie? Have I taken responsibility for my life, really, or am I enjoying the blame game so much that it has allowed me to ignore what I am ultimately responsible for?
In any relationship, if you can ever get the two parties to own their piece of the pie, you can make progress. But if everybody is focused on the other person's slice of the pie, you will just have chaos.
22 An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.
Matthew Henry comments, “See here the mischief that flows from an angry, passionate, furious disposition. 1. It makes men provoking to one another: An angry man stirs up strife, is troublesome and quarrelsome in the family and in the neighbourhood, blows the coals, and even forces those to fall out with him that would live peaceable and quietly by him. 2. It makes men provoking to God: A furious man, who is wedded to his humours and passions, cannot but abound in transgressions. Undue anger is a sin which is the cause of many sins; it not only hinders men from calling upon God’s name, but it occasions their swearing, and cursing, and profaning God’s name. “
From Andy Stanley’s sermon Let the Blames Begin he says - I used to do a lot of marriage counseling, and often one spouse would come in the office and start ranting and raving, "My husband does this …;" "My wife never will do that …;" and it would go on and on. I would sit there thinking, this counseling isn't going to be very effective, because the person who apparently needs to change isn't even in the room. So I would get a pad of paper, draw a circle on it, and say, "This is a pie that represents all the chaos in your marriage. Now, 100 percent of the blame is in that pie, because that's where all the chaos is." I would give them the pen and say, "I want you to draw a slice of pie that you think represents your responsibility for the chaos." The piece of pie that that client would draw was never very big, but I would say, "Okay. So why don't you and I talk about just this. Let's talk about this piece that is your responsibility. Let's talk about your slice." You know what? My approach never worked. I could never get anybody to stay on his or her slice of the pie.
So here is what I want you to do this week: As you experience relational conflict at work, at home, with your friends—any conflict of any sort, big or small—stop and think about your own slice of the pie. Ask yourself, what is in my slice of the pie? Have I taken responsibility for my life, really, or am I enjoying the blame game so much that it has allowed me to ignore what I am ultimately responsible for?
In any relationship, if you can ever get the two parties to own their piece of the pie, you can make progress. But if everybody is focused on the other person's slice of the pie, you will just have chaos.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Remember the less fortunate
Proverbs 28:27 (NLT)
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
Matthew Henry writes the following in regards to Proverbs 28:27. Here is, 1. A promise to the charitable: He that gives to the poor shall himself be never the poorer for so doing; he shall not lack. If he have but little, and so be in danger of lacking, let him give out of his little, and that will prevent it from coming to nothing; as the bounty of the widow of Sarepta to Elijah (for whom she made a little cake first) saved what she had, when it was reduced to a handful of meal. If he have much, let him give much out of it, and that will prevent its growing less; he and his shall not want what is given in pious charity. What we gave we have. 2. A threatening to the uncharitable: He that hides his eyes, that he may not see the miseries of the poor nor read their petitions, lest his eye should affect his heart and extort some relief from him, he shall have many a curse, both from God and man, and neither causeless, and therefore they shall come. Woeful is the condition of that man who has the word of God and the prayers of the poor against him.
Unfortunately a lot of us have grown cold hearts from those asking for money on the streets. Often we believe they are seeking money to buy some form of drugs that will only bring more misery and ruin to their lives. We feel that in not helping we are helping; but there are people who legitimately need help. There are people who need someone to reach out to them with open eyes seeing their poverty and reaching back to them in love. I remember a man who stopped me out on the street on a very cold day and asked if he could have money for something to eat. I thought here we go again, someone just looking for drug money. I looked at him and said what if I take you somewhere to eat, would that be ok instead of giving you money? He responded with a desperate yes. We walked to one of the restaurants and as we went to enter he hesitated, stopped and said, “They have thrown me out of here before because I was just trying to stay warm.” I reassured him it would be ok. We went in and I paid for his meal, along with a few extra biscuits he wanted to take along for later. I spoke to the people behind the counter, “This man is going to sit over there and enjoy his meal and some warm coffee. Will that be ok if he remains a little while to stay warm?” They gave me their reassurance it would be ok. The man thankful me several times and I left him there warm knowing his need for food had been met.
During this holiday season remember the less fortunate and reach out to them in a positive way. Looks for ways to help that don’t enable a problem, but instead meet a need.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
Matthew Henry writes the following in regards to Proverbs 28:27. Here is, 1. A promise to the charitable: He that gives to the poor shall himself be never the poorer for so doing; he shall not lack. If he have but little, and so be in danger of lacking, let him give out of his little, and that will prevent it from coming to nothing; as the bounty of the widow of Sarepta to Elijah (for whom she made a little cake first) saved what she had, when it was reduced to a handful of meal. If he have much, let him give much out of it, and that will prevent its growing less; he and his shall not want what is given in pious charity. What we gave we have. 2. A threatening to the uncharitable: He that hides his eyes, that he may not see the miseries of the poor nor read their petitions, lest his eye should affect his heart and extort some relief from him, he shall have many a curse, both from God and man, and neither causeless, and therefore they shall come. Woeful is the condition of that man who has the word of God and the prayers of the poor against him.
Unfortunately a lot of us have grown cold hearts from those asking for money on the streets. Often we believe they are seeking money to buy some form of drugs that will only bring more misery and ruin to their lives. We feel that in not helping we are helping; but there are people who legitimately need help. There are people who need someone to reach out to them with open eyes seeing their poverty and reaching back to them in love. I remember a man who stopped me out on the street on a very cold day and asked if he could have money for something to eat. I thought here we go again, someone just looking for drug money. I looked at him and said what if I take you somewhere to eat, would that be ok instead of giving you money? He responded with a desperate yes. We walked to one of the restaurants and as we went to enter he hesitated, stopped and said, “They have thrown me out of here before because I was just trying to stay warm.” I reassured him it would be ok. We went in and I paid for his meal, along with a few extra biscuits he wanted to take along for later. I spoke to the people behind the counter, “This man is going to sit over there and enjoy his meal and some warm coffee. Will that be ok if he remains a little while to stay warm?” They gave me their reassurance it would be ok. The man thankful me several times and I left him there warm knowing his need for food had been met.
During this holiday season remember the less fortunate and reach out to them in a positive way. Looks for ways to help that don’t enable a problem, but instead meet a need.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thanksgiving even in the difficult times
2 Corinthians 4:13-15 (NLT)
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
In these verses we find it is faith that motivates the apostle and other believers to continue to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. The apostle states this was done that God’s grace might reach more and more people. The more people receive God’s mercy the more glory and thanksgiving that will be given to God.
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When I think of the generations of people who came before me, life on earth is short. Some get to enjoy a fruitful and long life, while others have their lives cut short in their early years. I have been praying for a young man, a childhood friend of my son, who is battling brain cancer. Hospice has been called and his life is potentially nearing an end. It is difficult for me to imagine what the family is going through on a week focused on Thanksgiving. I know this young man believed in an eternal life and he had accepted that Jesus Christ paid the debt for his sin. I am thankful that even in earthly death there will be eternal life. I am thankful for those who remain and can testify to the memories of his life. I am thankful the family has been there with him during these final precious moments. I am thankful for friends who have been praying and hoping for a recovery. I am thankful for those who love the family and have shown their support. Had these things not been true, then yes, there might not have been much to be thankful for.
I remember the story of a poor man who was distraught because he had no shoes. But when he met a man with no feet and no legs he bowed before God and gave thanks for his ability to walk. There is always something we can be thankful for even when we are facing grim and desperate moments. Like the man without shoes I too have been guilty of not giving God the praise as I should. But then I think of things that could be worst and I can’t help but praise God for what He has done.
This will be my only devotion for this week. If you wish to pray for this young man his name is Seth. God bless each and every one of you as you count your blessings this week.
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
In these verses we find it is faith that motivates the apostle and other believers to continue to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. The apostle states this was done that God’s grace might reach more and more people. The more people receive God’s mercy the more glory and thanksgiving that will be given to God.
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When I think of the generations of people who came before me, life on earth is short. Some get to enjoy a fruitful and long life, while others have their lives cut short in their early years. I have been praying for a young man, a childhood friend of my son, who is battling brain cancer. Hospice has been called and his life is potentially nearing an end. It is difficult for me to imagine what the family is going through on a week focused on Thanksgiving. I know this young man believed in an eternal life and he had accepted that Jesus Christ paid the debt for his sin. I am thankful that even in earthly death there will be eternal life. I am thankful for those who remain and can testify to the memories of his life. I am thankful the family has been there with him during these final precious moments. I am thankful for friends who have been praying and hoping for a recovery. I am thankful for those who love the family and have shown their support. Had these things not been true, then yes, there might not have been much to be thankful for.
I remember the story of a poor man who was distraught because he had no shoes. But when he met a man with no feet and no legs he bowed before God and gave thanks for his ability to walk. There is always something we can be thankful for even when we are facing grim and desperate moments. Like the man without shoes I too have been guilty of not giving God the praise as I should. But then I think of things that could be worst and I can’t help but praise God for what He has done.
This will be my only devotion for this week. If you wish to pray for this young man his name is Seth. God bless each and every one of you as you count your blessings this week.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Be encouraged even in failure
Luke 22:31 (NLT)
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
In these familiar verses Jesus knows Peter's sin that is about to take place. Jesus has prayed on behalf of Peter and Jesus gives words to encourage Peter that once he has failed to use the failure as a way to build up others.
W. Paul Jones, a Roman Catholic priest said, “What one sees depends on where one sets up one's shop. Mine is at the entrance of the empty tomb.” Sometimes God allows us to fail in order that we may be disciplined and learn valuable lessons. It's then that we can take what we intended for evil and let God work in us to use it for good. So when you fail, remember God still cares about you and He has a plan to use your failure for His good purpose. We sitting in God’s shop where God is in control and God is watching over us. Trust God that He will lead you through any difficult circumstance, bring you to repentance, and give you encouragement that you can share joyfully with others.
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
In these familiar verses Jesus knows Peter's sin that is about to take place. Jesus has prayed on behalf of Peter and Jesus gives words to encourage Peter that once he has failed to use the failure as a way to build up others.
W. Paul Jones, a Roman Catholic priest said, “What one sees depends on where one sets up one's shop. Mine is at the entrance of the empty tomb.” Sometimes God allows us to fail in order that we may be disciplined and learn valuable lessons. It's then that we can take what we intended for evil and let God work in us to use it for good. So when you fail, remember God still cares about you and He has a plan to use your failure for His good purpose. We sitting in God’s shop where God is in control and God is watching over us. Trust God that He will lead you through any difficult circumstance, bring you to repentance, and give you encouragement that you can share joyfully with others.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
What do you have a life for?
Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 (NLT)
12 I, the Teacher, was king of Israel, and I lived in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. 14 I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. 15 What is wrong cannot be made right. What is missing cannot be recovered.
In these verses we are privy to the wisdom of King Solomon who was reflecting upon life. He was trying to make sense of the lives we live. King Solomon though even being the wisest person to have lived still was frustrated in trying to understand life. He saw that life on earth was life chasing after the wind, which could never be caught, blew in many directions, and was an empty substance.
In the play Pinocchio a pensive look comes over the face of the puppet-turned-boy. "What do you mean 'I'm alive'?" "What does it mean? Well, unless I'm going mad, and this isn't just a dream, it means you have a life to live," says Geppetto. "And what do you have a life for?" Pinocchio asks in return. Geppetto falls silent, unable to find an answer. "And so is this a good thing or bad thing?" the puppet-turned-boy asks further. "No—it's a beautiful thing. A wonderful thing! What do you have it for? Uhhhhh." Geppetto still has a puzzled look on his face. He concludes, "I'll have to think about it."
Unless we understand what life is for it does become meaningless. It is why God gives us guidance on how we should live our lives through His Word. God gave us Christ, His Son, who showed us what it was like to live a sinless life. God has a desire that we use our lives to live for Him so that life will be a beautiful thing that can be shared with many.
12 I, the Teacher, was king of Israel, and I lived in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. 14 I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. 15 What is wrong cannot be made right. What is missing cannot be recovered.
In these verses we are privy to the wisdom of King Solomon who was reflecting upon life. He was trying to make sense of the lives we live. King Solomon though even being the wisest person to have lived still was frustrated in trying to understand life. He saw that life on earth was life chasing after the wind, which could never be caught, blew in many directions, and was an empty substance.
In the play Pinocchio a pensive look comes over the face of the puppet-turned-boy. "What do you mean 'I'm alive'?" "What does it mean? Well, unless I'm going mad, and this isn't just a dream, it means you have a life to live," says Geppetto. "And what do you have a life for?" Pinocchio asks in return. Geppetto falls silent, unable to find an answer. "And so is this a good thing or bad thing?" the puppet-turned-boy asks further. "No—it's a beautiful thing. A wonderful thing! What do you have it for? Uhhhhh." Geppetto still has a puzzled look on his face. He concludes, "I'll have to think about it."
Unless we understand what life is for it does become meaningless. It is why God gives us guidance on how we should live our lives through His Word. God gave us Christ, His Son, who showed us what it was like to live a sinless life. God has a desire that we use our lives to live for Him so that life will be a beautiful thing that can be shared with many.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Trust
Proverbs 3:(1) Trust in the LORD with all your heart And (2) do not lean on your own understanding.
One definition in Websters says trust is "one in which confidence is placed". I am sure like most people you have had an experience where the confidence you had in someone was shattered. Maybe they did not keep a promise, maybe they did not tell the trust, or maybe their character came into question. Whatever the experience, it created your own understanding of what trust meant. Proverbs 3:2 says "do not to lean on your own understanding" when it comes to trusting God because our understanding of trust has been warped through life's experiences. For if we trust God the way we trust others, then are we really trusting God with all of our heart?
If you have had your trust shattered in the past, pray that God may restore your trust in Him. Ask God to take away those thoughts, those feelings that prevent you from completly trusting in Him. Lean not on your own understanding, but trust God with all of your heart.
One definition in Websters says trust is "one in which confidence is placed". I am sure like most people you have had an experience where the confidence you had in someone was shattered. Maybe they did not keep a promise, maybe they did not tell the trust, or maybe their character came into question. Whatever the experience, it created your own understanding of what trust meant. Proverbs 3:2 says "do not to lean on your own understanding" when it comes to trusting God because our understanding of trust has been warped through life's experiences. For if we trust God the way we trust others, then are we really trusting God with all of our heart?
If you have had your trust shattered in the past, pray that God may restore your trust in Him. Ask God to take away those thoughts, those feelings that prevent you from completly trusting in Him. Lean not on your own understanding, but trust God with all of your heart.
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