With My Own Eyes

We were so blessed today at First Baptist by Brandy’s baptism and Evan’s mission testimony.  Jesus is alive!

Here is today’s Bible reading: Genesis 31:17-32:12; Matthew 10:24-11:6; Psalm 13:1-6; Proverbs 3:16-18.

Matthew 10:38-39 (NIV) 
    and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [39] Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

This life is not about me, though I constantly battle to make it about me.  Peace will come when I finally and completely surrender.  When I die to myself I will discover what it is to truly live.

Josh had ratings for baseball today.  Bring on baseball!

Here is today’s Bible Reading:  Genesis 30:1-31:16; Matthew 10:1-23; Psalm 12:1-8; Proverbs 3:13-15.

Matthew 10:19-20 (NIV)
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, [20] for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Have you ever had that experience?  Not the arresting part, but the Holy Spirit speaking through you?  Incredible.  I think of those occasions where I talk a while and then ask myself “Did I really just say that?”  It wasn’t me.  It was something supernatural.  I believe that God longs to speak through us more than He does, but we are too busy getting our own 2 cents in.  What if we really just paused and breathed a prayer asking that the next words out of our mouths be from Him and not ourselves?  Speak through us, Holy Spirit.

20 years ago I was in college at Olivet Nazarene University.  Can you guess what letter I am?  No.  I am not the “G” and I don’t know why his hand is where it is.  Our buddy Torg was on the basketball team, not seeing much playing time, and in need of encouragement.  The Torg fan club was born.  Yes, I was every bit as cool as I appear in the picture. 

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?