With My Own Eyes

I’m way over my monthly text limit.  Don’t text me.  Unless you have really good news. 

Here is today’s Bible reading: Genesis 28:1-29:35; Matthew 9:18-38; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 3:11-12

Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV) 
    My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
        and do not resent his rebuke,
    [12] because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
        as a father the son he delights in.

James tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from above.  We are quick to equate God’s good gifts with the things we want:  material things, success, prosperity, comfort, and security.  But what about God’s discipline?  Could there be any better gift than our lovingly heavenly Father doing whatever it takes in our lives to bring about holiness?  Yet, so often we don’t recognize or embrace His discipline.  In fact, we despise it.  Discipline by nature hurts.  Yet, it is ultimately for our good.  

How is God disciplining you?  Are you embracing it, or despising it?  Are you learning or tantruming?   

Here is today’s Bible Reading:  Genesis 26:17-27:46; Matthew 9:1-17; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 3:9-10

Matthew 9:10-13 (NIV)
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” [12] On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

One of the challenges of being a Christian and especially a pastor is that you tend to spend all of your time with Christians.  We study God’s Word together, we pray together, we minister together, we fellowship together.  These are all great things.  But we have to be intentional about “having dinner at Matthew’s house.”  What I mean is, we have to make time to develop relationships outside the church with people who don’t know the hope that is within us.  If we are not careful, our Christian friends and Christian activities can sabotage our ability to be salt and light.

So, how are you doing in this?  Are you spending enough time in God’s house?  Are you spending enough time in Matthew’s house?  I need more time in Matthew’s house.

Romans 11:1-10 – “God Is Not Through With Israel”

I. Intro.

Paul’s harsh treatment of the Jews (Romans 10:3; Romans 9:32-33; Romans 10:21)

Israel’s rejection of the Gospel was an open door for the Gentiles to receive it (Acts 13:46; Acts 18:6)

Is God through with the Jews?  What about Replacement Theology?  A: No. God’s covenant still stands (1 Sam. 12:22; Ps. 89:31-37)

The significance of May 14, 1948 – the rebirth of the nation of Israel (Gen. 12:1-3; 7).

II. Proof that God is not through with Israel.

Paul’s testimony (11:1). Paul’s conversion was a foreshadowing of what is to come for many Jews (Zech. 12:10; Zech. 13:1)

The existence of a remnant (11:2-10). “Remnant” = small surviving group.  Through flood, slavery, exile, dispersion, and holocaust, God has always preserved a remnant.

III. How then shall we live?

God isn’t through with Israel, and He isn’t through with you.

If God can save Saul/Paul, He can save anyone. No one is hopeless.

Our attitude toward Israel matters (Gen. 12:3).

What is your “table” – that which makes you spiritually apathetic and produces a false sense of security? (Romans 11:9)

Here is the Bible Reading for today:  Genesis 24:52-26:16; Matthew 8:18-34; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 3:7-8.

Today’s reading in Matthew overwhelms us with the power of God.  By His words, Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves.  With a word, He sets free two demonized men.  In these two events, Jesus demonstrates His complete authority over the natural elements and the spiritual realm.  Matthew 28:18 (NIV)  ” Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ”  When we as God’s children submit to His authority in our lives, we are able to exercise the very authority of God in whatever we face.  Such was the case in David’s confrontation of Goliath:  1 Samuel 17:45 (NIV)  ” David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

Submit to God’s authority today.

Exercise God’s authority today.

It is couch day!  The used couches the Zaucha’s purchased upon moving to Ojai 6 years ago have been replaced by some new-er used couches.  (Props to Craigslist).  They are quite comfy.  Come on over to give them a try. 

Here is today’s Bible Reading: Genesis 23:1-24:51; Matthew 8:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 3:1-6.

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) 
    Trust in the Lord with all your heart
        and lean not on your own understanding;

My understanding is so limited.  Yet, I am so tempted to focus on it rather than to trust on God who sees all things, knows all things, and has a good plan for my life. 

Are you a trust-er or a lean-er?  Lean-ers are worriers.  Trust-ers experience perfect peace.

Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) 
    You will keep in perfect peace
        him whose mind is steadfast,
        because he trusts in you.

I rarely say anything about the weather here so as not to incite the fury of my friends in cold weather climates.  But today…ridiculous.  80 degrees.  Bright sunshine.  Gentle breeze.  Thank you God.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Genesis 20:1-22:24; Matthew 7:15-29; Psalm 9:1-12; Proverbs 2:16-22

How beautiful must Abraham’s wife Sarai have been?  Seriously.  Two kings determine they absolutely have to have her.  She is so beautiful that Abraham fears for his life.  And on top of that, she wasn’t real young at this point, if I understand the story correctly.  Wow!

I find a lot of hope today in Abraham’s story.  This guy goes from being so anxious and fearful that he has to lie about his wife to then being so full of faith that he could march his only son up a mountain with the intention of killing him in obedience to God.  The man’s faith grew exponentially.  So can ours.  Make it so, Lord.

Sorry for the late entry today.  Had a good time of ministry this morning and then Josh had two basketball games in Oxnard this afternoon.  They lost both, but he played pretty well and is getting better all the time.

Here is the Bible reading for today:  Genesis 18:20-19:38; Matthew 6:25-7:14; Psalm 8:1-9; Proverbs 2:6-15.

Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This verse has been very real to me of late.  I can get so wrapped up in worrying about tomorrow (which is totally counterproductive) and miss living today.  Worry is completely incompatible with faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God.  So, worry is not in any way honoring to God.  It is sin, and it must be confessed as such.  Let me just say that with this truth, I’ve got a lot of sin in my life.  God is working on me.  How about you?

Good morning, everyone.  Today completes week #1 of our journey together. Great job!  2012 is already flying by.  How will you make the most of this day that God has given to you?

Here is the Bible reading for today:  Genesis 16:1-18:19; Matthew 6:1-24; Psalm 7:1-17; Proverbs 2:1-5

Without question, the section that stood out to me the most today was the story of Ishmael.  Abraham chooses to walk by sight, rather than by faith.  He grew tired of waiting on God and His timing, so he attempted to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise through his own efforts–not a good idea.  Abraham settled for less than God’s best and would pay a steep price.  The angel said of Ishmael, Genesis 16:12 (NIV) “He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”  There were immediate consequences for Abraham’s actions–strife in his family.  It can be argued that those consequences continue for us today as the Islamic prophet Mohammad claimed to be  descendant of Ishmael.

In what area of your life are you tempted to walk by sight and not by faith, to run ahead of God and take matters into your own hands?

Happy Friday everyone.  I had a great day with a group of pastors I meet with once a month.  What a source of encouragement they are to me.  Who do you meet with for encouragement?

Here is the Bible reading for today:  Genesis 13:5-15:21; Matthew 5:27-48; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 1:29-33

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus paints for us a picture of what His Kingdom is like.  In a word, that Kingdom is RADICAL. How about this:  Matthew 5:39 (NIV) “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”  What!? That is not natural.  It is supernatural.  EXACTLY.  God’s Kingdom is supernatural.  The citizens of that Kingdom can only live out the values of the Kingdom when the Holy Spirit unleashes a supernatural power within them.  We are called to stand out from the culture by living out values that we cannot live out on our own.  But when God’s Spirit empowers us to do so, God gets the glory.  May His Kingdom come and His Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Are you supernaturally living out the radical values of God’s Kingdom or doing what comes naturally by conforming to the values of the culture?

Good morning, everyone.  Hope you are doing well today.  I am taking my turn with the respiratory crud.  My cracking voice is causing me to relive puberty all over again–it takes a special dad to do whatever it takes to connect with his 13-year-old son. My voice recognition software is quite confused.  So, hopefully this will make sense.

Here is the Bible reading for today: Genesis 11:1-13:4; Matthew 5:1-26; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 1:24-28.

I don’t remember many specific lectures from seminary, but one that I do remember illustrated the contrast between the Tower of Babel and Pentecost. At the Tower of Babel, people came together to glorify themselves, and God brought a supernatural confusion of languages that divided them. At Pentecost, people came together to glorify God, and God brought a supernatural understanding of languages that united them. The Tower of Babel is a picture of living life in the flesh, while Pentecost is a picture of living life in the Spirit.  Does your life look more like Babel or Pentecost?

I love Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.

What are you expecting from God today?