May 12, 2016
Jesus had four younger half-brothers named James, Joses, Judas and Simon and several unnamed sisters (Mark 6:3) by his mother, Mary and his adopted father, Joseph. Prior to Christ’s resurrection his brothers didn’t believe in him. We don’t read much about them, but here John records how they gave Jesus sarcastic advice about how to become more famous. Jesus calmly replied to them that they didn’t understand God’s timing nor purpose for him. Often the hardest people to live out your faith in front of is your own family. They have expectations of you and when you don’t live up to them, they punish you with biting comments. Yet, Jesus was obedient to God’s will for him. And after they saw him suffer and rise again, his family finally believed. James and Judas (Jude) both authored NT books. James, who became the lead pastor of the first church of Jerusalem, opened his little book with “James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). Can you think of a more convincing testimony for Jesus than this?
May 11, 2016
‘ (John 6:64 ESV).
Many followed Jesus without truly believing. They had their own reasons. Some followed for the free bread. Others for the chance to see a miraculous sign. Still others followed because they hoped He would fulfill their own earthly ends. Yet, Jesus was not naive. He knew their hearts (Matt. 9:4). Today’s church is no different. It is a mixed congregation. The fellow members may not suspect, but Jesus knows who truly believes and who does not.
May 10, 2016
The crowd that sought Jesus had been present when he miraculously fed the 5,000. Jesus accused them of seeking him, not for Himself, but for more bread. What is your reason for seeking Jesus? Have you come with your laundry list hoping He will do your bidding? Would you prefer He offered a “drive-thru” for your fast food order? What do you seek of Jesus, His face or His hand?
May 9, 2016
Samuel called the Israelites to Mizpah for an assembly of repentance and recommitment, but the Philistines heard about their gathering and attacked. God fought for Israel and they overcame for the first time in a generation. There, Samuel set up a large stone to remind them of God’s help, calling it “Ebenezer,” meaning “stone of help.” Samuel understood that we are a forgetful people and need reminders. Some of us journal, writing it down when God rescues. Some carry a chip to commemorate their years of sobriety. Some keep a photo or certificate. Others compose a song, like “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” singing: “Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come; and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.” Do you have an “Ebenezer” to remember what God as done for you?
May 8, 2016
This verse about how Samuel grew is very similar to the one in Luke 2:52 that described how Jesus grew. Samuel was a wanted child. His mother, Hannah, had been barren, but she prayed to God for a son, promising to give him back to the Lord. And God heard her prayer. When Samuel was weaned, Hannah presented him to the priest, Eli, to raise. So, Samuel grew up serving in the Tabernacle of the Lord (1 Sam. 3:1). In contrast to Eli’s own rebellious sons, his adopted son, Samuel, was called of God. It’s amazing how God used a mother’s love and prayers to bring forth a deliverer in Israel like Samuel, a man who grew up like Jesus did. Hannah’s love and faith should still inspire mothers today!
Happy Mother’s Day!
May 7, 2016
Jesus described His practice of first looking to see what the Father was doing and then joining Him in His work. This is a great spiritual principle. Rather than asking God to join us in our plans, we can begin to look and ask what God is already doing, and then join Him in His work. This kind of following means listening and looking before speaking and acting. When we look to join the Father in His work, we begin to follow as Christ did, and as His body, which is the church, should.
May 6, 2016
The little book of Ruth is unique. Only one of two books in the Bible named for a woman, it is considered one of the great literary works of the Bible. It is a book about faith, love and redemption. It illustrates the application of the redemption law as found in Leviticus 25, which provided for a woman who had no male heir to retain her family’s property. This provision in the law called for a close family member to become a “go’el,” which is the Hebrew word for “kinsman-redeemer.” In Ruth, a man named Boaz takes the role of the “go’el,” a selfless act that enabled Naomi and Ruth to not only have an inheritance, but gave them a son to carry on the name of their dead son and husband. It seems ironic that it was a foreign woman who activated this law. Yet, God loves to draw those far away, near to Him in faith. So, the love story of Boaz and Ruth informs us of the kinsman-redeemer practice and also prepares us for the ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
May 5, 2016
Ironically, in Bethlehem, the “House of Bread,” there was a famine. And rather than staying in the land that God had provided, Elimelech took his wife Naomi and two sons to “sojourn” in Moab. Like many best laid plans their “sojourn” turned into 10 long, hard years and ended in the death of all three men. After this, Naomi heard that the Lord had “visited” his people with bread, so she decided to return home. She was determined to get out of Moab and get back to God’s land of promise. Even her widowed, daughter-in-law, Ruth, was determined to go with her. Though Ruth was a Moabite, she desired a better estate, and by faith followed Naomi to Bethlehem.
Beware of sojourning in Moab. Return quickly to the Lord. The longer you stay out there, the harder it is to return. Yet, as both Naomi and Ruth learned, the Lord is full of lovingkindness and is ready to redeem those who come to Him.
May 4, 2016
When John’s followers worried that more people were going to follow Jesus than their leader, John rebuked them. He recognized that God determined spiritual results. And he also understood that his ministry was to prepare the way for Christ’s ministry. As John said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). To be jealous of another’s ministry or blessing, is to accuse God of wrong. Having a competitive spirit towards other churches and ministries is to misunderstand God’s work in our cities and world. Instead, rejoice that God is blessing His work through whomever He will. Because after all, it is His work to bless, not yours. Our calling is not to make ourselves famous, but to make Jesus famous.
May 3, 2016
All Adam’s children are “condemned already” because of sin and because of sin’s wage, which is death. Every member of the human race is born under the curse of sin. It was this curse, this condemnation that Jesus took upon His own body, so that the judgment that we had earned fell upon Him. As a result, those who “believe in Him are not condemned.” Why? Because there is no longer any condemnation left for those that are in Christ (Rom. 8:1). Jesus took it all upon Himself. But what of those who do not believe? They are “condemned already.” The condemnation of sin remains upon them. They have not afforded themselves of Christ’s payment. They will face judgment without Christ because of their unbelief. What you believe matters.